GENEVA: The United Nations has announced positive progress in repairing the Earth’s protective ozone layer, with scientists expecting the hole to disappear in the coming decades.
A report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) revealed that the ozone hole over Antarctica in 2024 was smaller than in recent years. The agency described this as welcome news for both human and environmental health.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres praised the progress, saying, “The ozone layer is healing. This proves that when nations act on science, real progress can be achieved.”
The WMO explained that while some of the improvement is linked to natural atmospheric variations, the long-term recovery trend reflects strong international cooperation. The findings were released in the Ozone Bulletin 2024, coinciding with World Ozone Day and the 40th anniversary of the Vienna Convention, the first global treaty recognizing ozone depletion.
The Montreal Protocol of 1987 followed the convention, aiming to phase out ozone-depleting chemicals found in refrigeration, air conditioning, and aerosol sprays. According to the WMO, the agreement has already eliminated over 99 percent of harmful substances.
As a result, the ozone layer is projected to return to 1980 levels by mid-century. This recovery will significantly lower health risks such as skin cancer and cataracts while also reducing ecosystem damage caused by harmful UV radiation.
The report noted that in September 2024, the maximum ozone mass deficit was 46.1 million tonnes, lower than the 1990–2020 average. Scientists also observed a slower onset of depletion, followed by a quicker recovery, signaling an initial phase of long-term healing.
A joint UN and WMO scientific assessment published in 2022 estimated that the ozone layer could recover globally by 2040, over the Arctic by 2045, and over the Antarctic by 2066 if current policies remain effective.
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