Chinese Political, Social and Economic Leadership in Protection of the Stratospheric Ozone Layer, Climate, and Biosecurity: A Montreal Protocol Case Study

China has demonstrated extraordinary leadership under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer by implementing stringent regulations on industrial and agricultural ozone-depleting chemicals. It is significant that every country in the world is Party to the Montreal Protocol (the only United Nations Treaty with full participation). Also significant is that developing countries have binding obligations under the agreement, and that all countries are on schedule to phase out these substances. Less appreciated is that ozone-depleting substances (ODSs) are potent greenhouse gases. The implication is that China has already helped protect the climate and can again be a key driver for resolving climate protection and threats to bio-security.