36th Meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol

The thirty-sixth meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG 36) of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer reconvened on Tuesday, 21 July 2015, in Paris, France.

In the morning, OEWG 36 met in plenary to discuss issues related to the phase-out of HCFCs and measures to facilitate the monitoring of trade in HCFCs and alternative substances. After a brief report from Patrick McInerney (Australia), co-convener in the informal talks on the feasibility and ways of managing hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), plenary was suspended to allow for further informal talks.

Plenary reconvened at 4:30 pm and after an update from Rafael Da Soler (Brazil), co-convener of the informal talks, Co-Chair Rachmawaty asked the informal talks to continue on Wednesday. Co-Chair Krajnik then opened discussions on the four proposals for a Montreal Protocol amendment regarding HFCs, with Canada presenting the North American proposal, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) the island states’ proposal, and India and the EU their respective proposals. Delegates then started general discussion of the proposals, including posing questions to proponents, which will resume on Wednesday morning.

In the evening, delegates attended a reception hosted by the Government of France.

The thirty-sixth meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG 36) of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer reconvened on Wednesday, 22 July 2015, in Paris, France.

In the morning, OEWG 36 plenary fielded questions regarding the four proposals for a Montreal Protocol amendment regarding HFCs and heard some general comments on the issue. In the afternoon, the Co-Chairs invited proponents of the respective amendment proposals from North America, the Island States, the EU and India to answer questions around the basis for baselines and base years, financial issues, exemptions, technology transfer, intellectual property, technology review and energy efficiency.

The informal talks on the feasibility and ways of managing HFCs resumed briefly after lunch and then broke so delegations could work on compromise proposals. The informal group reconvened in the evening after the close of plenary.

The thirty-sixth meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG 36) of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer reconvened on Thursday, 23 July 2015, in Paris, France.

In the morning, OEWG 36 plenary addressed draft decisions, including on: potential areas of focus for the 2018 quadrennial reports of the Scientific Assessment Panel (SAP), the Environmental Effects Assessment Panel (EEAP) and the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP); essential-use exemption for laboratory and analytical uses for 2016 in China; and issues related to the phase-out of HCFCs.

In the morning, and throughout the afternoon, plenary resumed its discussions on aspects of the four amendment proposals. Topics addressed including rationales for setting baselines and base years, and synergies with the UNFCCC.

The informal talks on the feasibility and ways of managing HFCs resumed in the morning prior to plenary. They then broke for the day's proceedings so delegates could work on compromise proposals. The informal group reconvened in the evening after the close of plenary.

The thirty-sixth meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG 36) of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer reconvened on Friday, 24 July 2015, in Paris, France.

In the morning, OEWG 36 plenary addressed draft decisions, including on: potential areas of focus for the 2018 quadrennial reports of the Scientific Assessment Panel (SAP), the Environmental Effects Assessment Panel (EEAP) and the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP); and essential-use exemption for laboratory and analytical uses for 2016 in China. Plenary also resumed its discussions on aspects of the four amendment proposals.

The informal discussions on the feasibility and ways of managing HFCs reconvened in the morning prior to plenary. They then broke for the morning plenary session. The informal group reconvened at lunch to continue its discussions.

5.50pm update: Plenary postponed until 7.pm. Informal discussions continue.

8.30pm update: Plenary yet to resume.

10.08pm update: Informals continue.

10.38pm update: Plenary resumed.

11.47pm: OEWG36 is suspended. The session will reconvene prior to MOP27, which is to be held in November 2015.