Date:            Thursday 23 September 2021
Time:            12:15pm - 1:15pm AEST
Location:     Zoom Webinar
Format:        2 Speakers to present then participate in a facilitated Q&A

The HFC phase-down is a gradual reduction in the maximum amount of HFCs permitted to be imported into Australia, which started on 1 January 2018.   Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are a type of synthetic greenhouse gas, mostly used in refrigeration and air conditioning equipment. They generally have a high global warming potential which means they have a greater ability to trap heat in the atmosphere compared to a similar mass of carbon dioxide. For example, the release of one tonne of HFC 23 is equivalent to releasing 14,800 tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

The phase-down is contributing to Australia’s 2030 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target and is encouraging industry to move to alternative technologies using lower or zero global warming potential gases. It is being managed through an annual import quota that will gradually reduce over 18 years, with the end point of the phase-down, 15% of the baseline level, being reached on 1 January 2036.

Speakers will cover areas including :

• What does the HFC phase-down cover?
• What alternative gases can replace HFCs
• What effect do HFCs have on the environment?
• Who will be affected by the phase-down?
• Plus more...

SPEAKERS:

Speaker Facilitator:  Bryon Price -  FMA Chair & AG Coombs

Patrick McInerney, Director, Ozone & Climate Protection Section - Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment
PRESENTATION:  Phasedown of the HFC refrigerants
Patrick has worked on Australia’s ozone protection and synthetic greenhouse gas program since 2003. He chaired negotiation of the HFC phase down under the Montreal Protocol and led implementation of the phase down in Australia.

Greg Picker, Executive Director - Refrigerants Australia
PRESENTATION:  Insights into managing the HFC phasedown for building owners and the FM industry
Greg has over 20 years’ experience in climate change policy, which includes long experience considering policy relating to HFCs (refrigerants).  He has worked for the UN, the Australian Government, as a consultant and for the last 8 years running industry associations – Refrigerants Australia and AREMA. 

Pricing:

• Members - Complimentary
• Non Members - $30 + GST