The ozone layer is on track to recover within four decades, and Australia’s climate control sector is a world leader in reducing emissions of ozone-depleting chemicals, which has made the recovery possible.
The UN-backed Scientific Assessment Panel to the Montreal Protocol on Ozone Depleting Substances, has delivered the good news for the planet in its four-yearly assessment report, which confirms the phase out of nearly 99 per cent of banned ozone-depleting substances.
It expects the ozone layer to recover to 1980 values (before the appearance of the ozone hole) by around 2066 over the Antarctic, by 2045 over the Arctic and by 2040 for the rest of the world.
Australian Refrigeration Council chief executive officer Glenn Evans said the recovery of the ozone layer was a credit to the global climate control industry, and especially to Australia’s 125,000 licensed climate control technicians and businesses.
“The Montreal Protocol came into force in 1989, and Australia has been in the forefront of applying it to the real world in refrigeration and air conditioning licensing,” he said.
“Our ARCtick licensing scheme operates under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Regulations 1995, and results such as the ozone layer recovery are the living proof of its value.
“Licensed technicians play a crucial role in protecting the environment from ozone depleting substances and synthetic greenhouse gases in refrigeration equipment.
“Since its inception, the licensing scheme has delivered more than 25 megatonnes of CO2 equivalent direct emissions savings – a massive contribution to the future health of the planet.”
The ozone layer sits about 15-30 km above the earth’s surface (way above where airliners fly) and acts as a ‘sunscreen’ for the planet by absorbing the sun’s ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation and protecting humans, animals and crops.
Evans said repairing the ozone layer delivered many benefits, from reduced global warming to protecting against skin cancer, genetic damage and immune system suppression.
“Protecting and repairing the ozone layer is one of the world’s finest and most successful examples of people all round the world acting in concert to protect their planet,” he said.
“Australia was one of the first countries to enshrine the Montreal Protocol in legislation, and our climate control industry can be justly proud of its key role in the implementation.”