PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen on Tuesday announced that the federal government will be working to develop sectoral decarbonisation plans, working with industry, climate movements, experts, unions and the community in the development of these.

The resources sector, industry and electricity and energy have been earmarked as part of the first wave of development plans, along with built environment, transport and agriculture.

“The sector plans will feed into both our Net Zero 2050 plan and strong 2035 targets which we will lodge in keeping with our Paris commitments. There will be heavy rounds of engagement with the community on each plan and I know I can count on the Clean Energy Council and your members to participate.

“The level and quality of dialogue and collaboration with industries, experts and citizens will set these plans apart from anything that’s been done before,” Bowen said.

“This is a shared endeavour: we must work together to do what’s both possible and practical to stop dangerous climate change and realise the economic opportunities of net zero. The end result will be six net zero sectoral plans that are robust, ambitious but achievable, and accepted by the broader community.”

Low Emission Technology Australia (LETA) on Tuesday welcomed Bowen’s announcement, saying it was essential that Australia develop comprehensive strategies for each sector to drive sustainable, low-emission practices and pave the way toward a cleaner future.

However, LETA reiterated that achieving net zero emissions could not be attained without substantial investment in low emission technologies, such as carbon capture and storage (CCS).

The technology investor said that innovative technologies such as CCS played a pivotal role in curbing emissions across various industries, facilitating a smooth transition to sustainable practices without compromising economic growth or energy security.

LETA CEO Mark McCallum said CCS was an essential component of the net-zero equation, enabling the capture and sequestration of carbon dioxide emissions from industrial processes and power generation.

“By actively investing in and supporting the deployment of CCS infrastructure, Australia can significantly contribute to global emission reductions while safeguarding its industrial base.

“We urge the government to prioritise research and development in other critical low emission technologies, such as low carbon hydrogen and ammonia production. Investing in a diverse range of innovative solutions will create a resilient and adaptive environment, fostering economic growth and clean jobs for the future.”

In addition to playing a crucial role in emissions reduction, CCS also served as a key enabler of low-cost hydrogen production, significantly supporting the decarbonisation of various industries, McCallum said.