Decarbonisation pathways

Energy

Australia has the potential to become the world's first renewable energy superpower. Renewable energy generation to produce electricity already meets one third of Australia’s electricity needs and has the potential to replace all fossil fuel generation.

Industry

Powering industry with 100% renewable electricity can dramatically reduce emissions. The industry sector is the largest single emitter of greenhouse gases in Australia, responsible for 46% of annual emissions, of which electricity usage is responsible for 41%.

Clean technology

Australia has the opportunity to make ambitious cuts in greenhouse gas emissions and build a prosperous modern economy using the clean technologies that exist today. The Australian Government’s legislated target of 43% emissions reduction by 2030 is just the start of what is possible.

Economy

New green export industries can meet surging demand for zero-carbon products that will dominate global economic growth this century and greatly boost employment opportunities in the renewables sector.

Jobs

Decarbonisation initiatives will have a rapid and positive impact on Australia’s most urgent economic problems and would give a major boost to diverse business sectors and provide jobs throughout Australia.

Manufacturing

Australia can once again become a strong manufacturing nation. The global transition to a zero-carbon economy creates exciting opportunities for this country to manufacture equipment such as wind turbines, batteries and electric buses.

Buildings

Buildings (commercial and households) currently account for 20% of Australia’s emissions, primarily from electricity use and burning gas for heating, hot water and cooking.

Transport

The transport sector is responsible for 19% of Australia’s annual emissions, the majority of which come from vehicles on the road, moving people, goods and services over large distances.

Land use

The land use sector is the second largest source of emissions in Australia and also presents unique opportunities for reducing the severity of climate change. These opportunities include stopping deforestation as well as reemphasis of some areas from grazing to revegetation.