Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development, Washington, DC 20007;
Division of Natural and Applied Sciences, Duke Kunshan University, Kunshan 215316, China;
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2021 Dec 7;118(49). doi: 10.1073/pnas.2022668118.
The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (Montreal Protocol) can be further strengthened to control ozone-depleting substances and hydrofluorocarbons used as feedstocks to provide additional protection of the stratospheric ozone layer and the climate system while also mitigating plastics pollution. The feedstock exemptions were premised on the assumption that feedstocks presented an insignificant threat to the environment; experience has shown that this is incorrect. Through its adjustment procedures, the Montreal Protocol can narrow the scope of feedstock exemptions to reduce inadvertent and unauthorized emissions while continuing to exempt production of feedstocks for time-limited, essential uses. This upstream approach can be an effective and efficient complement to other efforts to reduce plastic pollution. Existing mechanisms in the Montreal Protocol such as the Assessment Panels and national implementation strategies can guide the choice of environmentally superior substitutes for feedstock-derived plastics. This paper provides a framework for policy makers, industries, and civil society to consider how stronger actions under the Montreal Protocol can complement other chemical and environmental treaties.
《关于消耗臭氧层物质的蒙特利尔议定书》（《蒙特利尔议定书》）可进一步加强，以控制消耗臭氧层物质和用作原料的氢氟碳化物，从而在保护平流层臭氧层和气候系统的同时，减轻塑料污染。原料豁免的前提假设是原料对环境没有重大威胁；但经验表明，这种假设是不正确的。《蒙特利尔议定书》可通过调整程序，缩小原料豁免范围，减少意外和未经授权的排放，同时继续豁免用于有限、必要用途的原料生产。这种上游方法可以有效补充减少塑料污染的其他努力。《蒙特利尔议定书》中的现有机制，如评估小组和国家实施战略，可以为选择在环境上更优的原料衍生塑料替代品提供指导。本文为决策者、行业和民间社会提供了一个框架，以探讨《蒙特利尔议定书》下的更有力行动如何补充其他化学品和环境条约。
