Tag: Montreal Protocol

The European Union’s ambitious F-gas regulation, designed to slash emissions from the refrigeration and air-conditioning industry, is causing headaches at home and diplomatic friction abroad. In Denmark, trade body Dansk Køl & Varme has publicly slammed the Danish Chemicals Inspectorate for what it calls enforcement failures. The association says illegal refrigerant sales are happening openly … Continue reading Trade disputes, enforcement gaps plague EU F-Gas regs

Utah Senator Mike Lee has urged United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio to consider pulling the US out of the Montreal Protocol – and SightGlass understands American industry is taking the prospect seriously. In a letter dated 30 April 2025, Senator Lee cited scientific, economic, and geopolitical concerns, calling the treaty a “relic of … Continue reading Senator wants to cancel Montreal Protocol

By Refrigerants Australia executive director Dr Greg Picker Recent speculation about the availability and future of refrigerants prices, unnecessary scaremongering and misinformation has increased the level of concern and uncertainty among the industry.  This article looks to provide insight into the context, background, impacts and what consumers can expect to see in the near future … Continue reading Cool heads prevail: Managing Australia’s refrigerant market

Australia’s reputation as a global leader in lifecycle refrigerant management (LRM) took centre stage at the United Nations Thirty-Sixth Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol (MOP) and the Thirteenth Conference of the Parties to the Vienna Convention (COP) in Bangkok. Among the delegation was Ian Stangroome, a director of VASA and a board … Continue reading Montreal Protocol meeting highlights Australian refrigerant stewardship as envy of the world

Patrick Mclnerney, a significant figure in Australian environmental diplomacy and particularly the management of refrigerants, passed away less than two weeks before his 61st birthday. For years, Patrick was a stalwart presence at Montreal Protocol meetings, leading Australia’s delegation with his well-considered and balanced contributions to what remains the most effective and successful global environmental … Continue reading Vale Patrick Mclnerney

Australian federal Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek has announced a new bill intended to introduce “stronger measures to reduce Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions and continue to play its part in helping heal the world’s ozone layer”. In addition to ozone-depleting substances, the legislation also manages synthetic greenhouse gases such as HFCs like … Continue reading Ozone laws updated as report finds ‘Black Summer’ bushfires damaged the ozone layer

US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry (left) and China Special Envoy for Climate Change Xie Zhenhua

The United States and China have made a joint commitment of mutual cooperation to phase down HFCs under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, following meetings in Shanghai between US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry and China Special Envoy for Climate Change Xie Zhenhua. Among the world’s largest producers and consumers of HFCs, the two … Continue reading US, China get serious on HFCs

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has reported that ozone layer depletion reached record levels over large parts of the Arctic in spring. Monitored ozone levels over the Arctic in March are typically at least 240 Dobson Units (DU) – with a DU representing a 0.01mm-thick layer of pure ozone at standard temperature and pressure (STP). … Continue reading Extreme weather, CFC damage result in record Arctic ozone depletion

New regulations and permit schemes in the works New Zealand environment minister David Parker has announced that the country will delay its ratification of the Kigali Amendment by 12 months. The year-long hiatus is to allow New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment to carry out the required health and safety amendments before ratification … Continue reading NZ to ratify Kigali in late 2019