The indicator is a driving force indicator. The ozone layer absorbs almost all harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun that reach the earth in the stratospheric layer and protects living beings and the environment from harmfulultraviolet (UV) rays. However, the release of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) into the atmosphere is thinning the ozone layer.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), halon, carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform are ozone-depleting substances and are used in areas that occupy an important place in our daily lives, such as refrigerators, air conditioners, and fire extinguishers.

Turkey became a party to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (ODS) in 1991 and has accepted all its amendments. It is one of the developing countries of the Protocol (referred to as Group A5 countries in the Protocol). The import and consumption of ODS not produced in our country will be phased out in accordance with the Protocol commitments. Projects and activities are carried out to raise public and sector awareness on the transition to ODS alternative substances. Turkey is carrying out successful activities by implementing a faster ODS phase-out schedule than other developing countries. The use of substances that deplete the ozone layer has decreased by percent 99 in Turkey between 2009 and 2021. Globally, the worldwide consumption of ozone-depleting substances under the Montreal Protocol has decreased by percent 98.5 between 1986 and 2021 ^[23].

GRAPH 15- OZONE-DEPLETING SUBSTANCES (ODS) CONSUMPTION IN TURKEY

                                                                                         ODS Consumption Amount, Tonnes

Source: The Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change, General Directorate of Environmental Management, 2021