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In the early 1980s scientists establish that a hole in the ozone layer above Antarctica was widening. The international community became concerned and decided to put immediate efforts to set about repairing the hole and preserving the ozone layer.

Later in 1987, an international agreement named the Montreal Protocol was adopted by 197 countries including Iran to stop the production and consumption of gasses destroying the ozone layer. The ozone layer absorbs the sun’s ultraviolet radiation in the Earth's atmosphere and makes life possible on the earth. This layer is being destroyed by chemicals released by industries. Under this protocol, countries agreed to take action in order to eliminate the use of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) to stop global warming and protect the environment, the ozone layer and human health.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has implemented the HCFC Phaseout Management Plan (HPMP) project to phase-down and ultimately phase-out the use of Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) to comply with the Montreal Protocol’s controlling targets through a harmonized national strategy in Iran. Under this project, Iran could freeze at baseline consumption of HCFCs level (380.5 ODP tons) by 2013 and reduce 30% of the baseline by 2018. UNDP has been supporting Iran throughout the implementation of this project.