Environment and Energy Research Theme Seminar
Guest Speaker: Dr Matthew Rigby, UOB
Title: Challenges for the Montreal Protocol identified in recent atmospheric observations of ozone depleting substances
Abstract: Since the global ratification of the Montreal Protocol, atmospheric observations show that the major ozone depleting substances are declining in concentration in the atmosphere. As well as limiting the loss of stratospheric ozone, these reductions have a substantial impact on radiative forcing, because ozone depleting substances are also potent greenhouse gases. The 2016 Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol is expected to lead to further climate benefits, by limiting production and use of the non-ozone depleting hydrofluorocarbons. Despite the clear achievements of the Montreal Protocol over the last three decades, observations have shown some puzzling discrepancies with projections in the last few years. I will show how global emissions of substances such as carbon tetrachloride and chlorofluorocarbons including CFC-11 have not declined as expected or have increased after the global ban on production for emissive use in 2010. I will show how new regional atmospheric data is being used to learn where these unexpected emissions originate from. The results indicate that continued vigilance will be needed to ensure that that the achievements of the Montreal Protocol are maintained in the future.
This seminar will be held virtually, details TBC