Patrick Mclnerney

1963 - 2024

For decades Patrick Mclnerney was a constant at the meetings of the Montreal Protocol.

A calm, reliable and solid figure, leading the Australian delegation, his contributions during negotiations were always thoughtful and measured.

In 2011 he served as Chair of the Executive Committee to the Multilateral Fund, from 2013-2014 as Co-Chair of the Open-ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol, and in 2019 as the President of the Implementation Committee.

During his time as OEWG Co-Chair, he was instrumental in shaping the Montreal Protocol into the treaty it is today. His skilful leadership during the HFC negotiations was instrumental in securing the adoption of the Kigali Amendment in 2016 – an important climate mitigation cornerstone of the Protocol contributing to its continued success as an environmental treaty. That same year, he received a Federal Public Service Medal for outstanding public service in the protection of the ozone layer and the climate system.

As Director at the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australia, he most recently participated at the Thirty-Fifth Meeting of the Parties in October 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya, where he helped steer long and often protracted negotiations towards a record level of replenishment for the Multilateral Fund for 2024-2026.

His warmth, good humour and kindness will be sorely missed by the ozone family and all that had the pleasure of knowing him.