Atmosphere Theme Report

Australia State of the Environment Report 2001 (Theme Report)
Lead Author: Dr Peter Manins, Environmental Consulting and Research Unit, CSIRO Atmospheric Research, Authors
Published by CSIRO on behalf of the Department of the Environment and Heritage, 2001
ISBN 0 643 06746 9

Stratospheric Ozone (continued)

National responsibilities under the Montreal Protocol [A Indicator 2.6]

Australia is required to phase out the consumption of ozone-depleting substances in line with a schedule defined by the Montreal Protocol and its Amendments and Adjustments. Australia has been a leading signatory nation in achieving the Montreal Protocol milestones (Table 13). CFCs, halons, methyl chloroform and carbon tetrachloride were phased out during 1993 to 1996, one year ahead of the Montreal Protocol schedule. The two ozone-depleting substances that are controlled by the Montreal Protocol and are still being used today are HCFCs and methyl bromide.

Table 13: Phase-out of key ozone-depleting substances
Ozone-depleting substances	Montreal phase-out dates for developed countries	Australia's achievements relative to the Protocol
Chlorofluorocarbons	1996	Phased out^A
Halons	1993	Phased out^A
Methyl chloroform	1996	Phased out^A
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons	1996-2003: freeze at 1989 levels 2004-2009: freeze at 65% of 1989 levels 2010-2014: freeze at 35% of 1989 levels 2015-2019: freeze at 10% of 1989 levels 2020: total phase-out	Australia is phasing out HCFCs at twice the required rate, has already met its 2004 target and will meet its 2010 target in 2004
Methyl bromide	1995-1998: freeze at 1991 levels 1999-2000: freeze at 75% of 1991 levels 2001-2002: freeze at 50% of 1991 levels 2003-2004: freeze at 30% of 1991 levels 2005: total phase-out	Australia is phasing out methyl bromide at the required rate

^A Australia has phased out these substances at least one year ahead of the Montreal Protocol schedule.

Source: Environment Australia.

Figure 80 shows the consumption of HCFCs and methyl bromide in Australia from 1986 to 1999. Also shown are the consumption limits defined by the Montreal Protocol for developed countries. Australia has decided to further restrict consumption of HCFCs to 50% of the limit under the Protocol.

Figure 80: Australian consumption of ozone-depleting substances (ODP tonnes = tonnes multiplied by ODP) for methyl bromide and HCFCs.
The dashed lines are the Montreal Protocol schedules for ODS phase-out. For HCFCs the Australian accelerated schedule is also shown (solid line). For methyl bromide pre-1991, Australian consumption is assumed to be a constant fraction of global consumption.

Source: Environment Australia; CSIRO

In 1997, Australian HCFC imports exceeded Australia's total HCFC limit under the Ozone Protection Act (1989), but remained well within the agreed Protocol phase-out schedule. As a result, a mandatory quota system was triggered, commencing in 1999, and this will ensure that Australia continues to meet its demanding HCFC phase-out schedule.

Implications

Careful management of HCFC and methyl bromide uses will be required for Australia to continue to meet its accelerated phase-out schedule for ozone-depleting substances.