Investing in Our Natural and Cultural Heritage

	Document Index 1999-2000 Ministerial Statements Investing in our Natural and Cultural Heritage Chapter 8

OZONE PROTECTION

Damage to the stratospheric ozone layer, which protects life on earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun, occurs through the release into the atmosphere of certain widely used ozone-depleting substances.

The Commonwealth plays a leading international role in ozone protection, particularly in the development and implementation of cost-effective mechanisms to ensure the phase out of ozone-depleting substances by all countries.

The Commonwealth contributes to the Multilateral Fund of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, which supports the transfer of `ozone-friendly' technology to developing countries. The Commonwealth provided $21.5 million to the Multilateral Fund between 1991-92 and 1997-98 and expects to contribute an additional $18.7 million over four years from 1998-99 (see Chapter 3, Table 3.1). It also contributes to the Global Environment Facility, which funds ozone-related activities in former Eastern bloc countries and provides assistance to developing countries through focused bilateral projects in the Asia-Pacific region and by participation in a regional network of government ozone units.

Box 8.8: The Management of Australia's Halon Stock

Halons are very potent ozone depleting substances commonly used in fire fighting and explosion suppression applications. Phase-out of halon 1211 and halon 1301 offers the best remaining policy option for enhancing the recovery of the ozone layer.

The management of halons is a major focus of government activity. The Government continues to provide funding for Australia's National Halon Bank, which is a unique facility offering a complete `cradle to grave' service for halons decommissioned under State and Territory ozone protection legislation.

Australia has made a significant contribution to international activities on halon management. At the Tenth Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol in November 1998, Australia (jointly with the European Commission) was successful in gaining agreement that all Parties must develop national halon management strategies.

Developed country Parties to the Protocol must submit their halon management strategies by the end of July 2000. The Government has made significant progress in the development of an Australian Halon Management Strategy, which will provide the framework for responsible management of Australia's halon stock to 2030, including appropriate arrangements for the future operation of the National Halon Bank. The strategy is to be finalised in 1999, which will enable Australia to be amongst the first nations to submit a national strategy to the international community.

In 1998-99, the Government invested in several technical studies essential to the development of Australia's international and domestic action on halon, including:

case studies on halon management practices in key industries; and
surveys of Australian halon stocks and essential use requirements.

The Commonwealth also contributes to international scientific effort through provision of funds to assist expert involvement in the work of the Montreal Protocol's Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP) and its committees. TEAP assessments are a key input to international and national ozone protection policy.

At the national level, the Government works with the States and Territories, industry and other stakeholders to phase out the import, export and manufacture of ozone-depleting chemicals in line with Australia's international obligations under the Montreal Protocol and where possible exceed, Montreal Protocol requirements.

In 1998-99 the Commonwealth, with State and Territory Governments commenced a major review of the National Ozone Protection Programme. The review has been initiated to provide the basis for the future development and management of the Programme to best meet Australia's international obligations to protect the ozone layer. It is anticipated that the review will be finalised in 1999-2000.

The Phase-Out of Methyl Bromide Use in Australia

Methyl bromide is an ozone-depleting substance controlled under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.

The Government released a National Methyl Bromide Response Strategy in June 1997, which presents a national approach to phase-out methyl bromide use in Australia's horticultural industry.

Implementation of the Strategy has already commenced through commitment of the Ozone Protection Reserve to funding of a communication strategy targeting users of methyl bromide and $695,000 to the year 2000-2001 to fund the development and field trialing of application methods for alternatives to methyl bromide.

Contact: Environment Australia, Environment Protection Group -- 02 6274 1481

The Ozone Protection Act

There have been significant developments in the administration of the Act in 1998-99. A quota system for the import of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) was introduced on 1 January 1999 to remove the risk of industry exceeding the annual HCFC import limit specified in the Ozone Protection Act 1989. Twelve companies were issued with transferable quotas that establish, in accordance with a formula, the quantity of HCFCs that each can import during the first one-year quota period. This regime will ensure that the Government's phase-out schedule for HCFCs is maintained.

The Government is improving the operation of the Act through a series of amendments to the licensing and quota systems, that will allow more effective and targeted regulation of ozone depleting substances. Information on the scope and requirements of the Act, along with information on the environmental implications of using fluorocarbons (eg HCFCs and HFCs) is being developed into a booklet through a project funded from the Ozone Protection Reserve.

The Ozone Protection Reserve, which holds funds received as licence and activity fees under the Ozone Protection Act, is used for information programmes to support the phase-out of HCFCs and methyl bromide and expenditure on administration and enforcement of the Act.

Contact: Environment Australia, Environment Protection Group -- 02 6274 1481