Australian industry supports the Pacific move to new technology

Australian industry is continuing to help our neighbours in the Pacific move to newer, more efficient and more environmentally friendly refrigeration and air conditioning equipment.

Leading industry players formed the backbone of the Pacific Island Low-GWP Technology summit held in Fiji from 16-18 June 2016. The summit was the first time refrigeration and air conditioning industry groups, technicians and government officials have come together to consider the safe introduction of low-GWP (Global Warming Potential) technologies in the Pacific. It featured equipment displays, installation and servicing demonstrations, and presentations on introducing low-GWP technologies. 300 people from 36 countries attended the summit.

Australian and local industry representatives and trainers (including from Fujitsu NZ, Daikin, Sanden, the Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturers Association of Australia and Australian Refrigeration Council) provided information and demonstrations on four technologies currently in use in the Pacific – R600, R744, R32 and CO2. The summit was an initiative of the former Minister for the Environment, Greg Hunt. The summit was held to boost support for a global agreement to phase-down HFC (hydrofluorocarbon) use under the Montreal Protocol by demonstrating that these newer low-GWP technologies can be installed and serviced safely with the right training and tools.

The Australian Government and industry are strong supporters of a global HFC phase-down. A global phase-down will provide long term investment certainty and accelerate commercialisation of new technology, modern training and standards.



Left to right: Bruce Edwards, Assistant Secretary, Department of the Environment and Energy; Joshua Morgan, Policy Officer, Department of the Environment and Energy; Mark Padwick, President, Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturers Association of Australia; Glenn Evans, CEO, Australian Refrigeration Council; Robert Beggs, General Manager – Manufacturing, Daikin; Kylie Farrelley, Business Manager, Arkema; Clifton Madgwick, Business Manager, Chemiplas; Annie Gabriel, Assistant Director, Department of the Environment and Energy; Michael Moller, Praxis Vocational.