In this study, Ecologic provided a detailed account of the effects of GEF support and other progress made in 15 countries supported in East Europe and Central Asia awards  phasing out ozone depleting substances (ODS), as mandated by the Montreal Protocol. The study is based on data reported by the countries to the Ozone Secretariat in Nairobi, and by data from the implementing agencies and verified by the countries themselves.

It concludes that GEF support through UNDP, UNEP and the World Bank  has played a crucial role in the phase-out process by providing much needed financial assistance, assistance in establishing legal frameworks and technical expertise, supporting learning and dissemination of projects lessons within each country and in a regional context. The study demonstrates that the reviewed countries have reduced their consumption on ozone depleting substances until 1997 in comparison to the eighties by about 90%. Particularly the GUS and Baltic countries need advanced endeavours while the middle and eastern European countries  nearly have completed the transition to innocuous ozone technologies. According to current planning, full ODS phase-out in the mentioned countries is expected to be achieved in 2003.