The Montreal Protocol is what kind of agreement?

• A. A national policy on ozone recovery
• B. An international agreement between 197 countries
• C. A regional treaty in North America
• D. A domestic regulation for refrigerants

Answer: (B)

The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty—a legally binding agreement among governments to protect the ozone layer by phasing out substances that deplete it. It involves nearly all countries (about 197 contracting parties), so it operates across nations rather than within a single country or a specific region. Each country creates its own implementing laws to meet the protocol’s schedules, and the agreement can be updated with amendments to accelerate action as science evolves. This global, multi-country nature is what sets it apart from national policies, regional treaties, or domestic regulations.