The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) marked World Ozone Day 2026 yesterday by recognising more than 118,000 ARCtick licensed technicians and businesses for their safe handling of refrigerants.
Their work helps protect the ozone layer by keeping refrigerants out of the air.
This year’s World Ozone Day theme was “Global action for a cooler planet”. It marks 10 years since the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol was adopted.
The amendment added action on hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs. These gases are used in many fridges, freezers and air conditioners.
While HFCs do not directly deplete the ozone layer, they have high global warming potential (GWP) and trap heat in the atmosphere adding to climate change.
The Kigali Amendment helps countries take action on both ozone protection and climate change.
Australia helped lead talks on the Kigali Amendment and acted early at home. It was one of the first countries to ratify the agreement.
Australia began its HFC phase-down on 1 January 2018. The phase-down will cut bulk HFC imports to 15% of baseline levels by 2036.
The ARC said Australia’s progress shows why clear rules and practical skills both matter.
ARC CEO Mark Lamb said government and industry have worked together to support this progress.
“The Kigali Amendment showed that environmental action and economic growth can work together. Cutting emissions from high global warming refrigerants needs strong rules. It also needs skilled workers who can use new technologies safely,” Lamb said.
“For more than 20 years, ARCtick licence holders have helped by recovering, recycling and safely handling refrigerants.”
The ARC runs the national ARCtick licensing scheme through a co-regulatory model for the refrigeration and air conditioning industry on behalf of the Australian Government.
The scheme links refrigerant handling licences with recognised training, compliance checks and industry education. It helps make sure technicians and businesses who work with regulated refrigerants have the skills to reduce emissions and follow good practice.
Australia’s HFC import quota system, the ARCtick licensing scheme, and the recovery of refrigerants in end-of-life equipment work together to improve refrigerant management.
Supporting the Montreal Protocol and Australia’s climate goals has led to a reduction in emissions from the production and consumption of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS).
This can be attributed to national actions taken by countries to comply with the Montreal Protocol. This has led to the start of the recovery of the ozone layer.
As Australia moves to lower global warming refrigerants and new equipment, licensed technicians will help turn policy into practical results.
“Every refrigerant recovered instead of released helps. So does every system installed correctly and every technician who keeps their skills up to date,” Lamb said.
“On World Ozone Day, we thank ARCtick permit holders across Australia. Their skills and care help protect the environment now and into the future.”
World Ozone Day is held each year on 16 September. It marks the signing of the Montreal Protocol in 1987.
The agreement is widely seen as one of the world’s most successful environmental agreements.
The 2026 campaign marks 10 years of action under the Kigali Amendment.