The Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the Ozone Layer celebrated its 20th anniversary in September 2007. Under this innovative and highly successful multilateral agreement, countries worldwide are taking specific, time-targeted actions to reduce and eliminate the production and consumption of man-made chemicals that destroy the stratospheric Ozone layer, Earth's protective shield. These Ozone depleting substances (ODS) include chloroflurocarbons (CFCs), halons, methyl bromide, carbon tetrachloride, methyle chloroform and hydrochloroflurocarbons (HCFCs).

September also witnessed a historic agreement negotiated by 189 parties to the Potocol in Montreal which accelerates the phase-out of HCFCs by capping production and consumption levels in developing forward the final phase-out date of these chemicals by ten years.

Although HCFCs have considerably lower Ozone developing potential than CFCs, they are nonetheless harmful to the Ozone layer. In addition, many HCFCs have high global warming potential-upto 2000, times that of carbon-dioxide. By supporting the replacement or avoidance of HCFCs in developing countries, the decision will therefore contribute to protection of both the stratospheric Ozone layer and the global climate system. All on the Earth who are destined to suffer could feel confident that our scientists are active and alive to the environmental problems of the world.