The International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, designated by the United Nations, is observed on September 16 each year. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about the vital role of the ozone layer, which shields life on Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation.

The depletion of this layer poses significant threats to environmental health.

World Ozone Day: History

In 1994, the United Nations General Assembly declared September 16 as World Ozone Day to commemorate the signing of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. This protocol, signed on September 16, 1987, is an international agreement focused on phasing out the production and use of ozone-depleting substances (ODS).

In the 1980s, scientists discovered that human-made chemicals like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons were causing a decline in the ozone layer.

The Montreal Protocol was created to eliminate the production and consumption of these harmful substances. Later, the Kigali Amendment to the protocol, which targets the gradual phase-out of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), became legally enforceable on January 1, 2019. This amendment aims to phase out HFCs by the late 2040s.

Since 1995, India's Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has been celebrating World Ozone Day at both the national and state levels.

World Ozone Day 2024: Theme

This year's theme is “Montreal Protocol: Advancing Climate Action,” emphasizing both the achievements of the protocol and the need for continued, accelerated efforts to combat ozone depletion in the future.

World Ozone Day: Significance

The ozone layer, located in the Earth’s stratosphere, contains a high concentration of ozone (O3) molecules that absorb most of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Depletion of this layer can lead to increased UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface, which can harm human health, ecosystems, and the environment. World Ozone Day serves as a reminder of the critical importance of safeguarding the ozone layer for the well-being of current and future generations.