Lack of restriction on high-GWP mobile air-conditioning refrigerants in Australia: A missed opportunity

A column by VASA President Brett Meads

You could be forgiven for thinking the following is a crude attempt at satire, perhaps even sarcasm – or maybe a bad dream – however, you would be wrong. This is a bizarre set of circumstances, with long-term negative environmental consequences, thanks to a sad omission by those within the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).

By the time you read this the proposed restrictions on small air conditioning equipment with high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant will have come into effect as of 1 July 2024.