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A resilient economy, proximity to the fastest growing region in the world, and strong government initiatives to address climate change, mean that Australia’s clean technology industries are poised for growth.
Abundant and diverse renewable energy resources, supported by world-class research and industry knowledge
- 90 per cent of Australia absorbs over 1,950 KWh of sunlight per metre per year
- Hottest non-volcanic geothermal environment in the world with temperatures of 280ºC at 5km under the surface
- Strong westerly winds, up to 10 metres per second, buffet southern Australia
- Wave energy capacity of 170,000MW
- Plenty of economical feedstock for biofuels and abundant and available biomass
- Large landmass suitable for clean energy infrastructure
- World-class research and development expertise
- Advanced science and technology for biological, chemical and mechanical testing.
Australian Government action on climate change
The Renewable Energy Target (RET) has been expanded to reach 20 per cent of electricity generation in Australia by 2020. This will increase the current Renewable Energy Target by more than four times – to reach 45,000 gigawatt-hours in 2020.
The Australian Government’s initiatives on climate change include a commitment of A$4.5 billion in funds and building demonstration projects through:
- The A$1.6 billion Solar Flagships Program with a target to create 1,000MW of solar electricity generation
- The A$2.4 billion Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Flagships Program with a target to create 1,000MW of low emission fossil fuel generation, and
- The A$560 million to support research, development and demonstration of low-emissions energy technologies.
Australian faces major challenges in ensuring sustainable water supply in the face of drying climate and rising demand for water. The Australian Government is investing A$12.9 billion to secure water supply for all Australians through ‘Water for the Future’.
Renewable Energy
Australia – with its vast continental land mass – is one of the few countries in the world that has abundant natural resources in nearly all forms of renewable energy – from solar, wind, ‘hot rock’ geothermal, and wave and tidal, to bioenergy and biofuels. Read more.
Carbon Capture and Storage
Australia – which has the world’s fourth largest coal reserves and is the world’s largest coal exporter – aims to be a world leader in the development and deployment of carbon capture and storage technologies as part of its efforts to provide global climate change solutions. Read more.
Carbon Trading
Australia is well placed to become the carbon trading hub for the rapidly growing Asia-Pacific region: as the dust settles from the global financial crisis Australia continues to be one of the world’s most resilient economies. Read more.
Clean Development Mechanism
The Australian Government has proposed the unlimited use of eligible Kyoto units such as Certified Emissions Reductions (CERs) and Emission Reduction Units (ERUs) for compliance purposes in the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS), subject to any restrictions that apply to the use of international units in the scheme. Read more.
Clean Technologies and Services
Australia’s work in ‘trade-ready’ Clean Technologies and Services is well advanced, with expertise and innovation solutions in water management, green buildings, energy efficiency and environmental services. Read more.
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