Atmosphere

Ozone

Ozone Depleting Substances and Synthetic Greenhouse Gases

Release of ODS and SGGs in Australia: A study of end uses, emissions and opportunities for reclamation

During 2007-2008, the Department commissioned the consultancy firm Energy Strategies to conduct research into the size, growth and emissions of the bank of ozone depleting substances and synthetic greenhouse gases in Australia. The research provides information that will be valuable to industry and the public as they prepare for the introduction of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme and for the phase-out of hydrochlorofluorocarbons over the coming decade. The report is now available.

Definitions

Ozone is a naturally occurring gas, found mostly in a layer of the stratosphere, 15-30 km above the surface of the earth. The ozone layer filters damaging ultraviolet radiation from penetrating the Earth's atmosphere.

Ozone Depleting Substances (ODSs) are used in many industries. The common classes of these gases are chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), halons and methyl bromide. If emitted into the atmosphere, these substances will break down the stratospheric ozone layer.

Synthetic Greenhouse Gases (SGGs) were largely introduced as replacements for some ozone-depleting substances. Three of the six Kyoto Protocol gases - hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) - are SGGs. While these gases do not present a direct risk to the ozone layer, they often have very high Global Warming Potentials (GWPs) and will contribute significantly to the enhanced greenhouse effect if emitted to the atmosphere.

The Antarctic ozone hole is a dramatic thinning of ozone in the stratosphere over Antarctica each spring. This damage is due not only to the availability of ozone-depleting substances in the stratosphere, but also specific meteorological conditions that facilitate the destruction of ozone over Antarctica.

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is considered one of the most successful multilateral environment protection agreements. The Montreal Protocol sets out each country's obligations to phase out the use of ozone-depleting substances. Scientists predict that if all countries continue to meet their obligations under the Montreal Protocol, the ozone layer will recover to pre-1980 levels by around the middle of this century in the mid-latitudes and in the period 2060-2075 over the Antarctic. In December 2007, 191 countries were party to the Montreal Protocol.

Commonwealth legislation

The Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 and its Regulations help to ensure we meet our legal obligations under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The Act also aims to minimise emissions of ODSs and their SGG replacements and will ensure that Australia achieves a faster and greater reduction in the use of ODS than required under the Montreal Protocol.

Regulations under the Act principally apply to end users of ODSs and SGGs. End use regulations have been implemented for businesses and technicians in the refrigeration and air conditioning sector, the fire protection industries and to users of methyl bromide.

Licences, reporting and RAC requirements

A licence is required to import, export or manufacture ODSs and SGGs and to import refrigeration and air conditioning equipment containing an HFC or HCFC refrigerant. Licence holders must comply with reporting and other obligations under the Act and its Regulations.

The refrigeration and air conditioning and fire protection industries have a national licensing system for those who acquire, possess, dispose of or handle fluorocarbon refrigerants and fire extinguishants.

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Polar stratospheric clouds, Mawson, Antarctica (photo courtesy of Peter Tsimnadis, AAD)