No policy framework for net zero, Western Qld leaders hear

Tony Wood, Energy and Climate Change Program Director at the Grattan Institute was speaking at the recent Western Queensland Assembly of Councils where he told mayors and officials what net zero emissions meant for Western Queensland.

Mr Wood said the challenges for western Queensland in getting to net zero were International demand for carbon-intensive products, domestic demand, impact on jobs in the regions and direct impacts on farming and mining.

However there were opportunities in areas such as carbon offsets (reforestation, afforestation, soil carbon) and traditional minerals used in the new economy as were critical minerals.

Mr Wood said that apart from electricity, there's very little emissions reduction projected in Australia over the next decade.

He said electricity emissions have fallen by around 28% over the last six years while transport emissions fell with COVID but are projected to return and stay flat.

ALSO IN THE NEWS:

Industrial emissions are overall projected to grow, he said while land-based and agricultural emissions are projected to grow with restocking.

The reason was stark, he warned: 'There is no effective policy framework to support Australia's target of net-zero emissions by 2050."

Mr Wood said net zero needed to be better understood given the global carbon imbalance with carbon naturally released by plants, people and animals as well as from fossil fuels and land use accumulating to produce the greenhouse effect.

"We can reduce or avoid emissions as the first priority, but at net zero, every tonne released must be offset by a tonne absorbed," he said.

Mr Wood said emissions in iron/steel occur mostly in the iron-making process overseas.

Coal and gas mining and processing also produce significant emissions in Australia but the majority comes from combustion overseas.

Emissions from our beef occur in Australia and carbon border adjustment mechanisms will impact these economics.

"In a global net-zero world, domestic emissions from fossil fuel exports could shrink dramatically," he said.

On the positive side he said minerals critical to low-emissions technologies are expected to be in high demand over coming decades.

"Australia has the mineral and and the renewable energy resources. Australian miners are global leaders in mining and processing of minerals," he said.

"We have regions with skilled workforces and access to necessary infrastructure. The economics of each supply chain should determine where Australia can create a competitive advantage and jobs."

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:

DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY? Send letters to the editor or story tips to nwseditorial@austcommunitymedia.com.au