\u201cWe are obviously aware that there is year-to-year variability in the ozone hole associated with atmospheric dynamics. But our scientific monitoring confirms our predictions that the ozone layer is well on track to recovery thanks to the Montreal Protocol and its phase out of the vast majority of ozone depleting chemicals which were once used in refrigeration, air conditioning, firefighting foam and even hairspray,\u201d said Paolo Laj, Chief of WMO\u2019s Atmospheric and Environment Research Section.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are confident that the ozone layer can return to 1980s levels by the middle of this century, significantly reducing risks of skin cancer, cataracts, and ecosystem damage due to excessive UV exposure. But we must avoid complacency and continued scientific monitoring is essential,\u201d said Paolo Laj, who represented WMO at the United Nations Environment Assembly<\/a> in Nairobi 8-12 December.<\/p>\n Montreal Protocol<\/strong><\/p>\n A dedicated Multilateral Environmental Agreements Day was held at UNEA, which is the big tent which gathers all environmental actors. The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone layer<\/a> is widely regarded as the most successful ever environmental treaty. It was adopted on 16 September 1987 and is one of the rare treaties to achieve universal ratification.<\/p>\n WMO and the UN Environment Programme<\/a> co-sponsor a quadrennial Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion, which assembles and assesses the best available scientific knowledge.<\/p>\n If current policies remain in place, the ozone layer is expected to recover to 1980 values (before the appearance of the ozone hole) by around 2066 over the Antarctic, by 2045 over the Arctic and by 2040 for the rest of the world,\u202faccording to the most recent assessment in 2022<\/a>. The next assessment will be in 2026.\u202f<\/p>\n Since peaking around the year 2000, levels of ozone depleting substances in the Antarctic stratosphere have declined by about a third relative to pre-ozone-hole levels, according to Stephen Montzka, senior scientist with NOAA\u2019s\u202fGlobal Monitoring Laboratory<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThis year\u2019s hole would have been more than one million square miles larger if there was still as much chlorine in the stratosphere as there was 25 years ago,\u201d said NASA scientist Paul Newman.<\/p>\n Laurence Rouil, Director of the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS<\/a>), commented:\u202f\u201cThe earlier closure and relatively small size of this year\u2019s ozone hole is a reassuring sign and reflects the steady year-on-year progress we are now observing in the recovery of the ozone layer thanks to the ODS ban. This progress should be celebrated as a timely reminder of what can be achieved when the international community works together to address global environmental challenges.\u201d<\/p>\n \n Ozone holes over the years\n <\/p>\n \n Copernicus ECMWF\/Atmospheric Monitoring Service\n <\/p>\n Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Services press release is here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n To get the latest status of the Antarctic ozone layer, visit\u202fNASA\u2019s ozone watch<\/a>\u202fwebpage.<\/p>\n WMO\u2019s Ozone Bulletin on the 2024 ozone layer is here<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image_3.png\")
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