Environmental effects of stratospheric ozone depletion, UV radiation, and interactions with climate change: 2022 assessment report

“The Assessment for the four year period from 2018-2022 was published on the 4th May 2023 on the UNEP Ozone Secretariat website (https://ozone.unep.org/environmental-effects-stratospheric-ozone-depletion-uv-radiation-and-interactions-climate-change). The report involves a comprehensive assessment of the interactive effects of climate change, ozone depletion and UV radiation in eight key areas of global importance. These are also synthesized in an Executive Summary and will be accompanied by a Q&A for the general public. The assessment report is written in plain language to be understood by politicians and interested parties. For the first time this year, the report includes additional sections on COVID-19 and on microplastics in the environment. I am Co-Lead Author of the section that explains the state-of-the-art related to our knowledge of global effects on terrestrial ecosystems and biogeochemical cycling. There, we considered the potential detrimental effects on crop production and biodiversity that would have occurred in the “world avoided” by of our successful implementation of the Montreal Protocol and its Kigali Amendment. Compliance with the HFC restrictions in this amendment saves a projected 0.5 C of climate warming during the 21st Century. This sets the benchmark as a globally effective and successful climate treaty.” - Matthew Robson, Senior Lecturer in Forestry at the University of Cumbria, UK.