Suppliers back HFC phase-down

AUSTRALIA: Refrigerant suppliers and users have welcomed the Government’s backing for a phase down of HFCs under the Montreal Protocol.

Dr Greg Picker, executive director of Refrigerants Australia, said: “The refrigeration and air conditioning industry actively supports a phase down which is designed to lower the global warming potential of refrigerants over time. This both guarantees improved environmental outcomes while also giving industry long-term certainty.”

Refrigerants Australia says it has long contended that a phase down in HFCs, along with other common sense amendments to the ozone protection legislation, can deliver a range of benefits including reduced costs to consumers, better performance of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, improved energy efficiency and significant emission reductions.

Refrigerants Australia estimates that revisions to ozone protection legislation can deliver emission reduction of up to the equivalent of 80 million tonnes of CO2 between 2020 and 2030.