Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) CEO, Glenn Evans, says fluorocarbon licence numbers are still growing despite the increased emphasis on low global warming refrigerants over the past two years.
Licence numbers for the handling of fluorocarbon refrigerants, such as R134a (in vehicles) and R410a (in stationary air conditioners) has grown significantly.
Licences for individuals grew by 2,148 during 2014 and business licences grew by 184. These figures represent real increases and are adjusted for any individuals or businesses no longer purchasing, storing or handling ozone depleting substances or synthetic greenhouse gas refrigerants.
In fact, in February 2015 individual licences exceeded 60,000 nationally for the first time since the licence scheme came into effect in 2005.
The ARC licence scheme is in its 10th year and controls the use of fluorocarbon-based refrigerants so they can be used with little or no environmental impact. According to the United Nations report ‘Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion 2014’ the ozone layer is showing its first signs of recovery.
The success of the licence scheme is largely a result of the support of the RAC industry which, according to Environment Minister Greg Hunt, has delivered more emissions savings than any other sector in the Australian economy.
The Australian refrigerant market is still predominantly fluorocarbon based with 43,000 tonnes still in use* (approx. 89 per cent of all refrigerants in use in Australia), so there is still a need for industry to be vigilant in controlling these gasses to ensure emissions are, at worst, minimal.
While there may be a move towards lower GWP refrigerants such as hydrocarbons, ammonia and carbon dioxide, fluorocarbon refrigerants will continue to make up a large proportion of the refrigerant bank for years to come.
A recent report by the * Expert Group forecasts the total bank of refrigerant gases (both controlled and non-controlled) to grow at least as fast as the economy. The study predicts that the total bank of gases will increase to 57,200 tonnes by 2025.
Therefore appropriate qualifications, adequate training and the national ARCTick licence will continue to play a vital role in ensuring a qualified and professional workforce, and reduced emissions of harmful refrigerants in the atmosphere.
*Cold Hard Facts 2: A study of the refrigeration and air conditioning industry in Australia (Expert Group 2013, for the Department of the Environment)
* HFC Consumption in Australia in 2013 and an Assessment of the Capacity of Industry to Transition to Nil and Lower GWP alternatives