DEPLETION OF THE STRATOSPHERIC OZONE
LAYER
Potential Legislative Strategies
National Actions
Goal: Develop and fund research programs designed to substitute ozone-destroying
chemicals, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, methyl chloroforms,
and to retrieve, recycle, and safely dispose of them.
It is not necessary for all countries to conduct research on all aspects of ozone
protection, but programs should be established to obtain and apply the results
of research from those countries who are conducting research activities.
Option: For those countries which have the resources, research programs,
both national, private, and local, should be funded on ozone issues.
Research efforts should focus on:
a. Atmospheric effects
b. Substitutes for CFCs, halons, carbon tetrachlorides, methyl
chloroforms, and CFC-related chemicals and the energy
efficiencies of each
c. Emission control for those uses that cannot be eliminated
quickly
d Recycling and disposal methods
e. Economic effects
f. Policy impact research
Option: Establish national clearinghouse to disseminate information on
ozone-destroying substitutes, the disposal and handling of undesirable
chemicals, and ozone depletion to industry, businesses, and citizens.
Goal: Establish disincentives to discourage the use of ozone-destroying chemicals.
Increasing the cost of production, sale and use of CFC-related chemicals,
halons and methyl chlorides through taxes and fees provides disincentives for
the use of those chemicals and increases for their substitutes, even prior to
their eventual abolition or regulated production. Fees could be imposed
through the requirement for licenses to produce these chemicals. Taxes could
be imposed on both their sale and on equipment, appliances or processes
which use them.
Option: Impose excise taxes on CFC-related chemicals, halons and methyl
chlorides , both domestic and imported, to discourage their use.
Option: Impose excise taxes on appliances, processes, and equipment, both
domestic and imported, based on their ozone-destroying potential, to
discourage their use.
Option: License CFC-related chemical production and attach fees to obtaining
the licenses.
Goal: Provide incentives for the use of CFC-related chemical substitutes.
Prior to the eventual abolition or regulated production of CFC-related
chemicals, systems can be developed to encourage switching to CFC-related
chemical substitutes earlier than required. Incentives can also be provided to
industry and researchers to develop effective and efficient substitutes.
Incentives for the recycling and reuse of CFC-related chemicals should be
developed as well. These programs will be expensive/ and should be supported
in LDCs through assistance from developed countries.
Option: Production and purchase of CFC-related chemical substitutes is
subsidized and supported so as to encourage broad use.
Option: Subsidies and supports are provided for the manufacture and
purchase of equipment, processes, and appliances which use CFCrelated chemical substitutes.
Option: Rebates, subsidies, and other supports are established to encourage
use of recycled CFC-related chemicals and proper disposal.
Option: Manufacturers and research firms receive tax deductions, credits, and
other subsidies for the research and development of CFC-related
chemical substitutes.
Goal: Regulate the production, use, and disposition of CFC-related chemicals.
National regulations should be developed to control CFC-related chemicals
and to lead to their reduction which are consistent with or more stringent
than international agreements such as the Montreal Protocol.
Option: Develop phase-down schedules are developed prior to elimination of
CFC-related chemicals, halons and methyl chlorides.
Option: Ban CFCs, halons and methyl chlorides.
Option: Develop strictly controlled venting practices and emissions control
programs.
Option: Require and enforce appropriate recycling and disposal methods.
Option: Ban equipment, processes, and appliances which use CFC-related
chemicals.
Option: Prohibit non-essential consumer items which use CFC-related
chemicals.
Option: Develop lists of substances other than CFC-related chemicals which
have ozone-destroying capabilities so that regulations may be devised
to cover all ozone-destroying chemicals.
Goal: Develop funding mechanisms for ozone-protection programs.
Initially, the revenues gained from taxes and fees, together with fines imposed
through enforcement activities and tariffs imposed on importation of ozonedestroying chemicals and appliances which use them, will provide some
funding for research, enforcement, and other activities. However, these
resources are limited and short-lived. Long-term funding mechanisms must
be developed.
Option: Support the development of international trust funds or other
sources.
International Actions
Goal: Explore and support international cooperative activities.
It is important that countries establish mechanisms for sharing of information
and means for reducing use of CFC-related chemicals. One way of doing this is
through UNEP and WHO clearinghouses of information.
Option: Develop programs for sharing appropriate technologies which reduce
use of CFCs, halons, and related chemicals.
Option: Support cooperative research programs to develop CFC-related
chemical substitutes.
Option: Ratify international treaties like the Montreal Protocol and the
Vienna Convention.
Goal: Encourage use of environmental criteria by economic assistance programs and
institutions.
(to be developed)
Option: Increase pressure on national overseas development agencies and
multilateral development banks to develop more effective
environmental guidelines and to support ecologically sound projects,
and, conversely, to end those projects which directly or indirectly
promote the use ozone-destroying substances.
Option: Provide effective technical assistance and other bilateral assistance to
research and other programs which encourage the use of CFC-related
chemical substitutes.
Option: Negotiate provision and acceptance of bilateral assistance to include
environmental criteria.
Goal: Develop economic pressures and sanctions.
Option: Develop mechanisms to encourage countries that are not reducing or
limiting production and use of CFC-related chemicals to do so. These
mechanisms should at least be consistent with the Montreal Protocol.
Option: Plan for prohibiting importation of CFCs, halons, and related
chemicals.
Option: Develop financial aid to needy countries for substituting, recycling,
capturing, and disposing of CFCs.
Option: Prohibit importation of equipment and appliances that do not allow
for use of CFC-related chemical substitutes.
Option: Prohibit exportation of specified products to countries that are not
signatories to the Montreal Protocol and the Vienna Convention or
successors.
Option: Enforce economic sanctions against countries that produce CFCrelated chemicals beyond the limits of the Montreal Protocol or
successors.
Option: Prohibit export of CFC-producing technologies to countries that are
not signatories to the Montreal Protocol.