The Earth’s ozone layer, which shields life from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation, is showing steady signs of healing. A new assessment from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) confirms that the layer could return to 1980 levels within the next few decades, provided current policies remain in force.

The turning point came with the adoption of the Montreal Protocol in 1987, a landmark global agreement to phase out ozone-depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Since its implementation, more than 99% of these harmful chemicals have been eliminated worldwide. In 2016, the Kigali Amendment further strengthened the treaty by targeting hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which, though not harmful to ozone, contribute significantly to global warming.

According to WMO projections, the global ozone layer could fully recover by around 2040, the Arctic by 2045, and the Antarctic by 2066. The Antarctic region, once the site of a massive seasonal “ozone hole,” remains the slowest to recover due to extreme atmospheric conditions.

Experts caution, however, that recovery is not guaranteed. Climate change poses new challenges, as rising temperatures and shifts in atmospheric dynamics could slow the healing process. In addition, any resurgence of banned chemicals through illegal emissions could threaten decades of progress.

Still, the recovery of the ozone layer is widely regarded as one of the most successful examples of international cooperation. It demonstrates how coordinated global action, grounded in science and policy, can reverse even the most serious environmental crises.