The Climate Council has a plan that spells out how we can electrify the nation and cut climate pollution by 75% this decade. The plan shows how we can build on the momentum we’ve already created to ensure Australia has a clean economy powered by the sun and wind, set up our communities and kids for success, and get on a path to end climate pollution.
Coal, oil and gas are used as a fuel, a heat source and a feedstock in manufacturing and industrial production. Mining fossil fuels also releases polluting gases – referred to as fugitive emissions. With smart investments to adapt existing industries and by capitalising on new mining and manufacturing opportunities, Australia can build an industrial base fit for the 21st century.
Where are we at?
The way we make things and mine resources is responsible for more than one third of Australia’s climate pollution, so moving now to capitalise on zero-emission manufacturing is a pivotal national opportunity.
| Industry in 2024: | Pollutes: 164 Mt CO2e (expected 2024) | Makes up: 36% of national emissions | Increased its climate pollution by 18% since 2005 |
By electrifying industry, we can more than halve industrial climate pollution: from 164 Mt CO2e in 2024 to 75.4 Mt CO2e in 2030.
How we’ll change the fuels we use to power industry:
What else can we do?
- Modernise industry: We can build a mining and manufacturing sector that’s fit for the 21st century, and create good, long-term jobs in clean industries to power our prosperity for generations to come.
- Smarter ways of making: Adapt manufacturing and mining to use renewable energy and industrial inputs where possible, and improve energy efficiency by 5% for iron, steel and chemical manufacturers, and 25% for cement.
- Recycle and reuse: Prioritise collection and recycling of scrap metals, with a goal of seeing 35% of steel production and 40% of aluminium come from recycled materials.
- Grow clean industries: Build industries that capitalise on our rich natural resources and clean power, like green metals manufacturing and critical mineral processing, and stop approving new coal mines or expansions that add more climate pollution.
- Use ready-made alternatives: Electricity, geothermal, biomass and biofuels can reduce the use of coal by 41%, the use of oil products such as diesel by 86% and gas by 31%. We do need to focus on scaling up domestic production of these clean alternatives.
- Moving beyond fossil fuels: Dealing with climate pollution from existing coal mines, and putting an end to further projects and expansions.
Find out more about each section of our plan:
Help turn this plan into action!
Our plan shows how we can cut climate pollution three times faster than current government plans each year to 2030.
Your donation will fund our climate science, advocacy, policy, media and communications experts to:
- influence decision makers to put these achievable recommendations into practice.
- get persuasive messages out, building public support for climate action at the speed and scale we need now.
There’s no time to waste. Our kids are depending on us.