Montreal protocol

Abstract

The development of the Montreal Protocol has been complex, sometime difficult and controversial, but generally has led to international regulations which balance environmental needs with technical and economic reality. The negotiations in Montreal in September 1997 are the 'Ninth Meeting of the Parties' and mark the tent anniversary of the signing of the original Protocol. This paper explores some of the characteristics of the previous Meetings of the Parties and examines the factors that make the Ninth Meeting interesting, and the outcome difficult to predict.