World Ozone Day: marking a decade of the Kigali amendment
September 16 marks the 10th anniversary of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. The 2026 World Ozone Day theme is 'Global action for a cooler planet', reflecting on a decade of international progress on ozone protection.
What does the Kigali Amendment anniversary mean for tradies handling refrigerants in Australia?
HVAC and refrigeration technicians handling refrigerants may see continued regulatory pressure on phasing out high-GWP substances under Kigali commitments.
Key takeaways
- September 16 marks 10 years since the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol was adopted.
- The 2026 World Ozone Day theme is 'Global action for a cooler planet'.
- The Kigali Amendment targets phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) used in refrigeration and AC.
- HVAC techs should stay across evolving refrigerant regulations linked to international treaty obligations.
Related
Make you sure have a license to thrive
The Australian Refrigeration Council has reminded permit holders to ensure compliance as Commonwealth Penalty Units have recently increased, raising the cost of non-compliance fines.
Why it matters: Affects refrigeration and HVAC tradespeople holding ARC permits. Higher penalty units mean bigger fines for non-compliance, hitting business finances harder.
Solstice Advanced Materials launches R-134a retrofit concept
Solstice Advanced Materials has launched a retrofit solution to convert vehicle air conditioning systems from R-134a refrigerant to R-1234yf. The aftermarket product targets existing vehicle fleets rather than new builds.
Why it matters: HVAC and automotive AC technicians may see demand for R-1234yf retrofit services. Could affect refrigerant sourcing and handling procedures for mobile AC work.
The overlooked emissions
The GBCA and AIRAH are hosting a workshop on October 13 about refrigerant challenges and solutions in building design. The event targets emissions issues often overlooked in green building discussions.
Why it matters: Relevant to HVAC technicians and builders working on commercial or sustainable building projects. Refrigerant management is increasingly a compliance and design consideration.