Resilient and Effective International Governance and Networks for monitoring gases relevant to the Montreal Protocol

REIGN-MP aims to strengthen European and international scientific and governance structures to build resilient, scalable, and sustainable monitoring networks for ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and fluorinated gases (F-gases), supporting the Montreal Protocol and related agreements. The consortium brings together leaders in atmospheric measurement, science, and policy, who have played pivotal roles in advancing global monitoring efforts over the past decades.This initiative comes at a critical juncture for the Montreal Protocol. Recent atmospheric observations—many led by REIGN-MP partners—have revealed significant challenges, including unreported emissions of controlled substances (e.g., CFC-11, HFC-23), sustained emissions of compounds of unknown origin (e.g., CCl₄), and emissions from processes not currently regulated. In response, Parties to the Protocol have called for expanded and more resilient global monitoring networks. However, existing systems face increasing vulnerability, with key single points of failure and institutional pressures threatening their continuity.REIGN-MP addresses these challenges through four strategic objectives: (1) strengthening international governance to transition from fragmented monitoring to a globally coordinated system; (2) securing critical vulnerabilities by establishing a European Calibration Centre and exploring alternative sources of key components; (3) testing new lower-cost technologies and integrating them into global networks; and (4) enhancing the usability and transparency of observation-derived indicators for policy and compliance. Through these actions, REIGN-MP will reinforce Europe’s leadership in atmospheric monitoring, support evidence-based decision-making, and ensure the long-term resilience of global efforts to protect climate and the ozone layer.