The contribution of remote sensing to the implementation of the Montreal Protocol and the monitoring of its success

Abstract

This paper presents the background to the special issue of the International Journal of Remote Sensing which is being published to celebrate the 20^th anniversary of the coming into effect in January 1989 of the Montreal Protocol on substances that damage the amospheric ozone layer. Starting from the discovery of ozone and the ozone layer, we recall the proposition of Molina and Rowland that man-made CFCs pose a major threat to the ozone layer. This was followed by about 15 years of scientific research, scientific discussion, intense political discussions and international negotiations which led to the formulation of the Montreal Protocol that prohibits the manufacture and use of ozone-destroying substances. The papers in this special issue of the Journal are concerned with addressing the role of remote sensing in monitoring and assessing the success, or otherwise, of the Montreal Protocol.