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Advocacy / Focus areas / Net zero

Transitioning to a net zero future

Australia, as a signatory to the Paris Climate Change Agreement COP21, has committed to reducing emissions levels by 43 per cent by 2030, and to reaching net zero emissions nationally by 2050. As Australia moves to meet these challenges, the HVAC&R sector has a vital part to play.

The HFC phase-down and refrigerant transition

Australia is undertaking a statutory phase-down that will reduce HFC imports (based on CO2-e) by 85 per cent by 2036. This work represents our government’s commitment to the Kigali Amendment, a worldwide agreement to a global 85 per cent phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by 2050. This is anticipated to avoid up to 0.4°C of global warming this century. AIRAH has been partnering with industry and government to help achieve this goal.

Building sector sustainability

AIRAH advocates for all governments and all industry stakeholders to commit to achieving net-zero emissions buildings through a range of programs and measures. This includes reducing operational emissions through electrification, energy efficiency and smart, grid-interactive buildings, as well as reducing embodied carbon through better design and material selection and use.

Recent net zero updates

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AIRAH CEO to present at EEC National Conference

AIRAH's CEO Sami Zheng, Affil.AIRAH is set to present as part of a panel discussion on heat pumps and residential decarbonisation at EEC's 2024 National Conference.

NCC 2025 public comment draft released

The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has released the public comment draft of NCC 2025.

Spotlight on building services

The Materials and Embodied Carbon Leaders’ Alliance (MECLA) is hosting free events across Australia on Thursday, April 18 to highlight the importance of building services.

Collaborating on embodied carbon

AIRAH advocates for the transition to a net zero future. As part of this, we are helping to tackle the challenge of reducing embodied emissions.

AIRAH STGs to present at ARBS 2024

AIRAH’s Electrification STG and Commercial Kitchen Exhaust STG have been confirmed in the ARBS 2024 Seminar Series.

AIRAH CEO attends GBCA Transform Conference 2024

AIRAH CEO Sami Zheng, Affil.AIRAH recently attended the Green Building Council of Australia's Transform Conference. Transform is an action-focused conference that shapes the future of Australia’s sustainable built environment.

Closing the door on R404A

AIRAH, with expert input from the Refrigeration Special Technical Group, has been working with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) and other industry bodies to understand the stubborn presence of R404A.

AIRAH Pre-Budget Submission 2024

AIRAH has responded to the federal government’s call for pre-Budget submissions. Our suggestions are in line with our three advocacy focus areas.