In 1981, in response to the growing scientific consensus that chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons would deplete the ozone layer, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) began negotiations to develop multilateral protectionof the ozone layer. These negotiations resulted in the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, adopted in March 1985. The Convention provided a framework for international co-operation in research, environmental monitoring and information exchange.