Protecting the Ozone Layer: A Global Success That Is Also Helping Cool the Planet
On September 16, World Ozone Day reminds us that international action grounded in science can deliver tangible results. The 2026 theme, “Global Action for a Cooler Planet,” has particular significance this year as we mark the 10th anniversary of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.
Adopted in 1987, the Montreal Protocol aims to phase out substances that damage the ozone layer, the natural shield that protects us from harmful ultraviolet radiation.
Measurable Benefits for the Planet and Human Health
Nearly 40 years later, the results are remarkable. About 99% of controlled ozone-depleting substances have been phased out. If current policies remain in place, the ozone layer is expected to recover to 1980 levels by around 2040 for most of the world, 2045 in the Arctic, and 2066 over Antarctica.
This progress has very real benefits. By reducing exposure to ultraviolet radiation, the Montreal Protocol helps prevent skin cancer and cataracts while protecting ecosystems. It has also delivered significant climate benefits, since many ozone-depleting substances are also powerful greenhouse gases.
It is an encouraging demonstration of what international cooperation can achieve.
Kigali: Ten Years of Climate Action
In 2016, countries that are parties to the Montreal Protocol took another major step by adopting the Kigali Amendment. It calls for the gradual reduction of more than 80% of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are widely used in refrigeration and air-conditioning systems.
The potential impact is significant: if fully implemented, the Amendment could help avoid up to 0.5 °C of global warming by the end of the century. When combined with more energy-efficient cooling equipment, the climate benefits could be approximately twice as great.
As extreme heat events become more frequent, the transition toward more efficient and sustainable cooling has direct implications for health, food security, livelihoods, and community resilience.
A Success That Encourages Continued Action
This positive record does not mean the work is finished. Full recovery of the ozone layer requires continued international commitment, while the Kigali Amendment must continue to be ratified and fully implemented.
To learn more about this global effort, watch the official UN video highlighting the 2026 theme, available in several languages, including English and French. A France 24 video (in French only) also explores the progress being made in restoring the ozone layer.
This success has particular resonance during the Season of Creation. The Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) advocate for integral ecology, which calls us to consider the well-being of the planet and its people together.
The Montreal Protocol offers a hopeful example: when science, cooperation, and collective action come together, we can change the environmental trajectory of our common home.
Official Resources—World Ozone Day 2026(available in several languages).