Lessons from Montréal

Abstract

The 1986 Montréal Protocol was an unprecedented success in the United Nations campaign to tackle climate change. The Protocol was the first piece of UN legislation to achieve universal ratification and successfully stopped the deterioration of the ozone layer. This paper analyzes how two key factors - consumer action and a narrow legislative focus - allowed for the Protocol to successfully regulate multi- national corporations at a global level. Further, the paper discusses the failures of the Kyoto Protocol and Paris Accords when considering the capacity in which the protocols regulate corporations and induce significant environmental change, and last, provides recommendations for future UN climate negotiators.