Refrigerant Reclaim Australia (RRA) recently attended the combined Thirteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties and Thirty-Sixth Meeting of the Parties in Bangkok to discuss the innovation required to future-proof lifecycle refrigerant management (LRM).
LRM is an approach to refrigeration management that seeks to develop ways to combat leaks, alongside championing methods of refrigerant recovery and boosting reclamation rates to slash the chance of unnecessary refrigerant emissions. Thirty years ago, the RRA and Australian industry partners capitalised on the opportunity to design a LRM approach that minimised the environmental impact of refrigerants at each stage of their lifecycle.
RRA’s originally voluntary program gained traction as a co-regulated and industry-led stewardship model that established a precedent for sustainable refrigerant recovery, reclamation and disposal. The program’s co-regulatory structure fuses government oversight with industry-driven implementation to produce a collaborative model that assists in achieving environmental goals.
Winning collaboration between industry and government
RRA chair Greg Brooker says the key to sustaining the success of the Australian model is ensuring “all voices are at the table” – a belief shared by numerous participants at the UN meeting.
“Our commitment ensures policymakers can make informed and practical decisions that truly serve the industry and the environment,” he says.
RRA’s industry-responsive model and ongoing investment in education has provided the foundations for Australia to develop a culture of cyclical refrigerant recovery. Such a culture advocates for emission reduction and responsible handling, in addition to rewarding the efforts of licenced technicians who return used refrigerants for reclamation or safe disposal.
During pre-UN meeting workshops, RRA general manager Kylie Farrelley says the team discovered the importance of mutual responsibility between all actors in the supply chain to be a commonly held belief.
“From technicians to policymakers, everyone has a role, and that culture of responsibility is what sets our model apart and keeps it evolving effectively,” she says.
“It was important for the RRA delegation to witness how countries are beginning to embrace practices that Australia has been implementing for some time.”
RRA to maintain leader status in sustainable refrigerant practices
Farrelley says the RRA delegation embraced the opportunity afforded by the UN meeting to contribute to global sustainable refrigeration discourse and acquire new insights and perspectives.
“Engaging in these discussions allows us to stay at the forefront of sustainable refrigerant practices, while reinforcing RRA’s role in advancing these initiatives globally,” she comments.
While Australia remains a leader in environmentally responsible and interdisciplinary LRM practices, the meeting reminded RRA members to consider implementing comprehensive regulation for all refrigerant types – a practice endorsed by Australia but not yet implemented.
“We recognise that to deliver effective outcomes all refrigerants must be included in regulatory frameworks and international models, as well as says Brooker.
RRA delegation members also realised the benefits of adopting proactive maintenance approaches, namely a structured end-of-life process assigned to RACHP equipment to improve energy performance.
Learnings and revelations taken from the UN meeting will form a basis for RRA’s future direction in LRM development and enable Australia to remain an exemplar in sustainable refrigerant practices.
World-first discovery at University of South Australia to revolutionise commercial refrigeration.
