ARA calls on refrigeration and air conditioning industry to embrace solutions to carbon pricing

On Wednesday 2 May 2012 the Australian Refrigeration Association launched the new industry association at the historic Jubilee Room in NSW Parliament. Attended by an influential audience including representatives of several major industry players, the launch heard from ARA President Tim Edwards, Vice President Ben Adamson, Founding Member Michael Bellstedt and was concluded with an incisive and welcoming speech from Dr John Kaye, a Greens Member of the Legislative Council (the Upper House of the NSW Parliament).
In launching the new industry organisation and website www.austref.org.au all speakers made it clear that ARA aims:

• to bring greater emphasis to refrigeration as it is used in both refrigeration and air conditioning in Australia,
• to work collaboratively with all stakeholders in the industry,
• to recognise the introduction of the equivalent carbon price on HFCs through the Synthetic Greenhouse Gas levy commencing on 1 July as an opportunity for growth which should achieve significant and positive environmental outcomes by reducing both direct and indirect emissions, and
• to help the industry achieve high performance both commercially and environmentally by achieving high standards of safety, energy efficiency and environmental impact.

ARA’s launch has been featured in print publications including Climate Control News’s ARBS edition (p.6) and the New Zealand IRHACE Journal, and was the subject of a story and home page feature on www.hydrocarbons21.com. The launch event was videoed by BEN WebTV and a short clip of edited highlights is available here

ARA is at stand #785 at the Australian Airconditioning Refrigeration & Building Services (ARBS) exhibition from 7-9 May to promote the benefits of becoming a member of the ARA and adding to a strong voice at the table that will plan the roadmap towards a more efficient and sustainable RAC industry.