Ozone Science Group

The Ozone Science Group is an informal group of Australian scientists interested in stratospheric ozone science. They meet once a quarter to share information about developments in ozone science and research, to coordinate their activities and to cooperate on specific projects.

Members of the Ozone Science Group at the 25th Anniversary event in Canberra

Members of the Ozone Science Group at the 25th Anniversary event in Canberra - ltr): Dr Frank Mills, Dr Greg Bodeker, Dr Paul Fraser, Mr Paul Krummel, Dr Andrew Klekociuk, Ms Annie Gabriel, Ms Julie Arblaster, Dr Stephen Wilson, Dr Matt Tully, Mr Kane Stone and Dr Damian Murphy

Membership

The group was established in 2007 as a means to encourage cooperation among Australia’s stratospheric ozone interests. It comprises key Australian ozone scientists from the Australian Antarctic Division, Bureau of Meteorology, CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, and a number of research universities including the Universities of Melbourne, Wollongong, NSW, Tasmania, Adelaide, the Australian National University, Macquarie University and LaTrobe University.  Some ozone scientists from New Zealand are also part of the group and participate in meetings by teleconference.

Activities

The Ozone Science Group has undertaken a number of cooperative activities, such as combining information to produce a comprehensive review of the Antarctic Ozone Holes for the years 2007 through to 2017. The group is an ideal way for Australian scientists to share information on new and ongoing research, to share data and information, to coordinate their research activities where possible, and to advocate for new or redirected research.

The Group also prepared Australia's national reports to the Montreal Protocol's tri-ennial Ozone Research Managers meeting in 2011, 2014, 2017, and 2020.

The 2018 Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion

As required under the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, scientists from around the world report every four years to governments on the state of the ozone layer. These reports inform governments about the progress with recovery of the ozone layer as a result of the phase out of ozone depleting substances under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and other influences on ozone layer recovery. Parties to the Montreal Protocol consider the reports and decide what further action (if any) is needed to ensure continued recovery of the ozone layer.

The last report completed was the 2018 assessment report and the next report is due in late 2022. These reports represent a synthesis of ozone-related science undertaken in the last 4 years and build on previous reports. Previous reports are available on the United Nations Environment Programme website.

Australian scientists have an important role in the development of this report.

Dr David Karoly, now working at the CSIRO, was on the four person steering committee for the assessment.  Other Australian scientists involved were Dr Matt Tully from the Bureau of Meteorology, Dr Paul Krummel from CSIRO, Dr Andrew Klekociuk from the Australian Antarctic Division, and Dr Julie Arblaster from Monash University and Dr Malte Meinshausen from the University of Melbourne.

The selection of these Australian scientists for this important assessment report reflects the high standing of Australian ozone scientists in the global community and the excellent contribution that they are making to global ozone research.

Documents

Further information

The department facilitates the operation of the group. For more information on the Ozone Science Group, please contact the department:

Email: ozone@dcceew.gov.au