Expert Group Melbourne Australia
Expert Group

Australia leads the way in reducing ozone and synthetic greenhouse gas emissions

Australia took a lead role in the reduction of the previous generation of harmful ozone depleting gases and is now working towards phasing-down the domestic use of HFCs by 85 per cent by 2036.

Expert Group was commissioned by the federal government to undertake an Environmental impact assessment to assess the options for Australian industry. This review involved modelling the direct (i.e. HFC losses) and indirect emissions (i.e. energy consumption) reduction achieved by sub sector through the current refrigeration and air conditioning and fire protection licensing schemes under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act providing BAU and No Measures scenarios.

The review had two purposes: to identify options to further reduce emissions; and to reduce the regulatory burden on business.

Environmental Impact Assessment by Expert Group

Key options assessed by Expert Group for emissions reduction were:

  • HFC phase-down.
  • Selected equipment bans
  • Selected gas bans.
  • Leak testing requirements.
  • Equipment maintenance requirements.

The federal government options paper on the review of Australia’s Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas legislation can be viewed at:
http://www.environment.gov.au/protection/ozone/legislation#review Environment Minister, Greg Hunt said, “I am delighted that there has been a strong commitment to work towards an HFC phase-down agreement under the Montreal Protocol in 2016.”