The Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol (MLF)

Performance evidence

Overview

MOPAN released its most recent assessment of MLF in 2020.

The Multilateral Fund was established in 1990 to help developing countries comply with their obligations under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. The Montreal Protocol has been universally ratified and, subject to full implementation of its provisions, projections suggest that that the ozone layer should return to pre-1980 levels by the middle of the 21st century. The actual and potential contribution of the Montreal Protocol and the Multilateral Fund to addressing climate change is increasingly recognised.

Most ozone depleting substances (ODS) – and some replacements such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) now covered by the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol – are powerful greenhouse gases. The long-term targets for hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) up to 2040 and for HFCs up to 2047, and the potentially significant contribution of the Kigali Amendment to mitigating climate change should ensure continued international support for the Multilateral Fund. At the same time, evidence emerging just before the assessment concerning large-scale unexplained trichlorofluoromethane (CFC-11) emissions and illegal trade in ODS made for a challenging context. Addressing important and more complex issues such as energy efficiency, alternative lower global warming potential refrigerants and refrigerant management were some of the priority challenges on the organisation’s radar for the immediate future.

Performance rating summary

MLF organisational performance wheel — Organisational performance

Key findings

The Multilateral Fund is a uniquely focused organisation with an very clear set of internationally mandated and achievable long-term targets. It is extremely successful in supporting the compliance of Article 5 countries (those with an annual per capita consumption of ODS of less than 0.3 kg, as defined in Article 5 of the Protocol) in phasing out controlled substances that affect the ozone layer and global climate.
In terms of results, the Multilateral Fund has achieved, or is on track to achieve, the vast majority of the targets set under the Montreal Protocol for Article 5 countries. It has contributed to substantial, global-scale environmental, human health and climate change mitigation impacts.
The organisation makes efficient use of a relatively small budget and limited staff. It is very cost-conscious and operates via a close network of small professional teams. The periodic reporting and independent verification for each tranche of the national phase-out plans is one of the key strengths of the monitoring and reporting system.
The Multilateral Fund is staffed with dedicated and technical experts ensuring high-quality scrutiny of project proposals and monitoring. Staff turnover is low, resulting in long-established and trusting relationships between Secretariat staff, Executive Committee members and implementing agencies.

The evaluation function is insufficiently challenging, formative and analytical. Evaluations tend to present findings rather than providing analysis and explanations for these findings. Lesson learning is tacit rather than explicit and systematic.
The results framework focuses on long-term Montreal Protocol targets. The Multilateral Fund collects data and reports on a range of medium-term targets and indicators applicable to implementing agencies and recipient countries, but for the Fund as a whole, there is no intermediate results statement, nor a ‘classic’ results framework that would also address the quality or sustainability of results. There is no corporate scorecard of any sort, neither annual nor for the replenishment triennium. Monitoring and reporting is less developed for institutional strengthening and capacity building than it is for investment projects. A results framework, separate from the Montreal Protocol Control Schedule, that includes a clear set of performance measures for the Multilateral Fund itself may be beneficial.
Multilateral Fund programme proposals do not explicitly analyse areas such as partner capacity, risks or the critical assumptions which underpin sustainability. Verifying and ensuring the sustainability of results achieved requires greater attention from the Multilateral Fund.
The Multilateral Fund has been relatively slow to address gender equality as a cross-cutting issue, despite the existence of gender policies in each of the implementing agencies. A new gender policy has been approved by the Fund. While a strict focus on the mandate of the Fund is creditable, implementing agencies should be encouraged to ensure that all their own policies and minimum standards are applied in addition to those required by the Fund.
Although publicly available, Multilateral Fund documentation is not clear and accessible to outsiders. Fund policies, plans and progress are embedded in multiple detailed technical reports connected to Executive Committee meetings. The addition of an improved communications function – and an updated, user-friendly website – would enhance public information and accountability.

2020 MOPAN assessment of MLF

MLF 2020 Assessment Report

5 December 2020
MLF 2020 Performance at a Glance

5 December 2020
MLF 2020 Management Response

14 December 2022

Institutional leads

Canada

The Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol (MLF)

Overview

Performance rating summary

Organisational performance

Results

Key findings

2020 MOPAN assessment of MLF

Institutional leads

Our work

Our impact

The Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol (MLF)

Overview

Performance rating summary

Organisational performance

Results

Key findings

Areas of strength

Areas of opportunity

2020 MOPAN assessment of MLF

Institutional leads

Our work

Our impact