An initial $90m will be invested toward this mission to establish a profitable as well as sustainable agriculture industry in a low-emissions world
CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency launched a new extensive scientific and collaborative research initiative Towards Net Zero Mission, that congregates industry, research, communities, and government to aid Australia’s regions and hard-to-abate sectors like agriculture and steel industries to cut their emission in half by 2035. An initial $90m will be invested toward this mission to establish a profitable as well as sustainable agriculture industry in a low-emissions world. CSIRO’s mission will identify the requirements necessary for developing low-emissions steel and iron ore process.
CSIRO Chief Executive Dr. Larry Marshall states that the transitioning of the mentioned industries will not be just about the usage of new technologies to find solutions for existing global problems but to turn the problem consciously into new economic growth by reimagining how we live and work and by developing national capability.
Dr. Larry Marshall adds that industries like agriculture and resource are highly significant to Australia and “are deeply embedded into the fabric of our regions”. The mission must be co-developed, not just restraining within the hard-to-abate industries but in cooperation with their communities to recognize opportunities and impacts from new science-facilitated technologies and methods of doing business, says the Chief Executive.
The Towards Net Zero Mission will assist Australia to respond to the diverse challenges faced by the country’s regions as they work towards achieving the net-zero ambitions. The Mission intends to assist the regions to steer the transition to net zero with the help of analysis, support, and new collaborations. The mission also focuses on identifying the requirements to develop sustainable aviation fuel to support the country’s aviation sector.
CSIRO Chief Executive also states that the transformation of the hard-to-abate regions and industries is significant for the growth of the nation and its future prosperity and the nation’s scientific innovations will make sure that no region or industry will get behind during the transitioning process. The Towards Net Zero Transmission will expand Australia’s carbon offset capacity scaling and using negative emission technologies like carbon sequestration.
Dr. Michael Battaglia, The Towards Net Zero Mission Lead states that the transition to net zero is an ongoing process and is gaining pace across Australia. The transformations happening in the industries are evident, especially in testing technology and setting goals. Dr. Michael Battaglia further adds that transitions to net zero involve more than low-emissions technology and arises a need to create pathways if these are to be widely adopted to support prosperity and provide other benefits for the society and environment.
General Manager, Agriculture Policy, Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Mr. Salvo Vitelli states that CSIRO has provided independent guidance and analysis for the vision and policy response for the sector. The department further looks forward to continuing to work with Towards Net Zero Mission and other important research programs to guarantee that the agribusiness sector capitalizes on low emissions economic opportunities.
The Towards Net Zero Mission brings together CSIRO with government partners and collaborators Department of Industry, Science and Resources; Climate Change Authority; Department of Climate Change, Energy; Environment and Water; Grains Research & Development Corporation (GRDC); Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries; along with industry partners and collaborators BHP; Boeing; Climate Leaders Coalition (CLC); ClimateWorks, Climate-Kic; Incitec Pivot; KPMG Australia; Meat & Livestock Australia; Qantas; along with a number of research organizations and universities including Heavy Industry Low-carbon Transition Cooperative Research Centre.
Climate Change Authority Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Brad Archer states that the department is more than happy to be collaborating with the mission on a forthcoming report to understand Australia’s carbon sequestration potential that assists in making the most feasible choice about the trails to net zero emissions and ensuring the choices made are supported by scientific evidence.
About CSIRO
CSIRO is Australia’s national science agency that solves the greatest challenge through innovative science and technology. CSIRO was founded in 1926 and works on innovative projects that will provide global implications by working on science and engineering projects that assist in making a global impact on the future. The agency works at a point of intersection between different disciplines that brings together research organizations, universities, government, and industries. It specializes in Custodian of collections that contribute to national and international knowledge, Scientific and industrial research, and National Facilities such as the Australia Telescope National Facility and Australian Animal Health Laboratory.
