Vale Pat McInerney

Staunch environmental advocate and Australian representative at meetings of the Montreal Protocol Patrick McInerney has passed away, aged 61.

For more than 20 years, McInerney worked on ozone layer protection and synthetic greenhouse gas policy. He co-chaired the Montreal Protocol negotiations that led to the 2016 Kigali Amendment to phase down HFCs. According to the UN Environment Programme Ozone Secretariat, his skillful leadership during these negotiations was instrumental in securing an agreement.

On home soil, McInerney was responsible for administering the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act, including the introduction of the ARCtick licensing scheme, as well as handling the federal government’s carbon tax on synthetic greenhouse gases and its subsequent repeal. He also led Australia’s review of ozone protection and synthetic greenhouse policy, which resulted in the government agreeing in 2016 to a range of measures to further reduce emissions, including an HFC phase-down.

In 2016, McInerney was awarded the Public Service Medal for “outstanding public service in the protection of the ozone layer and the climate system”.

At the time of his passing, McInerney held the post of Director, Mercury, Ozone and Climate Protection Section at the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).

Leading figures from the HVAC&R industry who worked closely with McInerney have paid tribute to the man and his work.

A true gentleman

Peter Brodribb, M.AIRAH, Managing Director Expert Group, says McInerney was “a true gentleman, in every sense”.

“He was always thoughtful and considerate on the many assignments we worked on together,” says Brodribb. “Cold Hard Facts, now up to the eighth edition, showed real vision, and a commitment to developing the data and insights that have helped industry and government make better decisions.

“Working with someone like Pat for two decades, I regarded him as a close friend, though still a true professional and down to earth despite his amazing achievements. It has been a wonderful journey, and we will all miss him. I will miss him greatly.”

Vision and engagement

Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) CEO Glenn Evans describes McInerney as “a man of vision and engagement”.

“He was pivotal in efforts to protect the ozone layer and improve the environment,” says Evans. “His effort canvassed everything from leading the global negotiations that led to the Kigali Amendment to focused efforts at home in Australia.

“An architect of the ARCtick licence scheme, his influence was profound. He was simply the personification of the scheme.

“He leaves an amazing legacy. It will be years before we realise the results of the work he did internationally to bring countries together to forge a common path in improving not only the ozone layer but the environment as a whole.

“A constant touchpoint for guidance and direction, Pat was a true friend and mentor and will be sorely missed by not only all those at the ARC, but the whole RAC industry.”

Environmental steward

ARC Chair Dr Greg Picker has paid tribute to McInerney as a “great steward of the environment and a friend to the refrigeration and air conditioning industry”.

“His talents were varied,” says Picker, “but most noteworthy was his ability to take lofty policy aims and transform these to practical steps that industry could take to improve their environmental performance. Pat’s knowledge that government working with industry – collaboratively, collegiately – was and remains the best way for Australia to improve its environmental performance.

“Pat didn’t like pompous language – so will simply end by saying he was a great guy and will be deeply missed.”

A funeral service for McInerney will be held in the Chapel of Norwood Park Crematorium, Sandford Street, Mitchell, ACT, on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, commencing at 12 midday.