Report – Climate Council, 9 March 2023
Australia’s clean industry future: making things here in a net zero world
The world is undergoing a new Industrial Revolution. Driven by an urgent need to tackle the climate crisis, and grasp the economic advantages of renewable energy, this switch away from fossil fuels is reshaping the global economy with major implications and opportunities for Australian industry.
The impetus for acting on climate change is no longer in doubt, but the task is large and the timeline available is short. All parts of our economy must play a role, including the heaviest industrial emitters. This is no easy task, but Australia can‘t afford to shy away from the challenge. By moving towards a clean energy economy, we can secure Australia‘s ability to make things at home for decades to come.
In fact, Australia has a comparative advantage in the production of renewable energy, and also has globally significant reserves of metal ores and critical minerals. This means our economy is well-placed to thrive as global demand for low and zero carbon commodities booms with the right policy settings.
Key findings:
- Making green metals in Australia using readily available materials under our feet could both secure our nation‘s economic future, and result in our country playing an outsized role in helping protect us all from harmful climate change.
- There are readily available opportunities to cut emissions today within every industrial sector examined, as well as many emerging solutions that will be scalable within the next five to 10 years.
- Reforming our national laws can incentivise industrial innovation, help key industries thrive in a world where net zero is standard business, and support the development of major, new export opportunities.
Read the full report here: https://apo.org.au/sites/default/files/resource-files/2023-03/apo-nid321802.pdf.
