This report builds on analysis developed by the Australian Industry ETI. This study profiles the decarbonisation potential of four regions in detail (Pilbara, Kwinana, Hunter and Illawarra) and provides analysis on the decarbonisation opportunities in a fifth region, Gladstone.
Report extract
Australia’s industrial regions are significant in terms of their emissions, energy use and contribution to the economy. With net zero emissions targets now set at state and national levels, targets for industrial regions can facilitate planning and action, and guide decision making for the long-term transition.
Across the heavy industry supply chains of iron and steel, aluminium, liquefied natural gas (LNG), other metals and chemicals, the five Australian regions of Pilbara, Kwinana, Hunter, Illawarra and Gladstone make a combined contribution of A$166 billion to Australia’s gross domestic product (GDP) and account for about one-eighth of Australia’s total emissions. This report on regional decarbonisation opportunities finds these key industrial regions also hold substantial opportunities for emissions reductions if timely, effective action is taken. The 70 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e) of potential abatement identified in these regions is significant and represents an 88 percent reduction in current emissions. This would be equivalent to removing all emissions from cars and light commercial vehicles across Australia (National Greenhouse Gas Inventory – Paris Agreement Inventory, 2019). These decarbonisation efforts can build climate resilience and contribute to reaching state and national net zero emissions targets by 2050, while driving job growth.
