The University of Sydney’s Net Zero Initiative (NZI) has introduced the Path to Net Zero, a new whitepaper that outlines a series of market-ready solutions and technology to help Australia reach its emissions reduction goals.
The report, developed by the team led by Professor Deanna D’Alessandro, also highlights the latest in net zero research and development, as well as four holistic and systematic approaches aimed at achieving net zero emissions targets.
The whitepaper summarises various technologies and approaches currently under development by the NZI, categorising them into four, namely: demand reduction, creating zero emissions energy and industry, greenhouse gas removals, and mapping climate change risk.
The document’s release comes a year after the Australian government ratified the Climate Change Act, which legislated Australia’s targets to reduce emissions by 43 per cent on 2005 levels by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050.
Professor D’Alessandro said the country is running out of easy options to comply with its mandated target. “But the good news is technology is gaining pace. In our report we present a pipeline of solutions based on the latest in research and technology to guide Australia towards meeting its Paris obligations”
“Over the past two months, we’ve seen significant momentum building with the announcement of sectoral plans being developed by the new Net Zero Agency,” the professor noted.
D’Alessandro also emphasised the importance of a whole-of-society approach to achieve net zero, starting from designing smart buildings that use less energy and extracting critical minerals from e-waste to removing historic CO2 from the atmosphere and creating a zero-emissions energy industry.
“A responsible transition to net zero emissions requires the development of an ecosystem that includes strong multidisciplinary and cross-sector partnerships. The NZI brings to the table key solutions, innovations in research, thought leadership and training in areas of critical skills shortages for the transition,” the professor said.
Launched by the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Engineering in 2022, NZI seeks to leverage the university’s research expertise to develop new technologies and systems to support the world’s decarbonisation.
