One industry stalwart that will be missed at ARBS this year is Patrick McInerney, former director, Mercury, Ozone and Climate Protection Section at the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).
For more than 20 years, McInerney worked on ozone layer protection and synthetic greenhouse gas policy
Sadly, McInerney passed away earlier this year at the age of 61. But prior to his passing McInerney attended every ARBS Exhibition where he provided an update on the HFC phase down.
This year the update will be provided by the assistant director of the climate protection section of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Wate, Rachel Gregson.
McInerney co-chaired the Montreal Protocol negotiations that led to the 2016 Kigali Amendment to phase down HFCs.
He oversaw the introduction of the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act and the ARCtick licensing scheme.
His work was recognised in 2016 in the Queen’s birthday honours.
He was awarded the Public Service Medal for “outstanding public service in the protection of the ozone layer and the climate system”.
Globally, McInerney was recognised as a staunch environmental advocate representing Australia at meetings of the Montreal Protocol.
Locally, McInerney was well respected across the HVACR industry for his ability to bring government and industry together to develop and implement climate policy.
McInerney will be sorely missed at ARBS 2024.
As part of the HFC phase down Australia will implement restrictions on small air conditioning equipment with high Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerant later this year.
From July 1, 2024, Australia will ban the import and manufacture of small air conditioning equipment using refrigerant with a GWP over 750.
This ban will apply to equipment with up to 2.6kg refrigerant charge and cover portable and window/wall units and non-ducted split systems (single and multi-head).
Existing equipment will not be affected. Equipment imported or manufactured before 1 July, 2024 will be allowed to be sold after that date.
The goal is to replace units using R410A and the continued use of R404A in small commercial applications.