Transformation of the economy is needed to manage climate change, according to Tim Wilson, Assistant Minister for Industry, Energy and Energy Reduction.
Speaking at day two of the Waste Management and Resource Recovery (WMRR) Energy-from-Waste conference, Wilson said the industry needs to find ways to harness capital and capture lost opportunities to not only save the planet but to be financially viable.
“Innovation in WARR and changes to the WARR landscape will create new opportunities with other industries to innovate, create new jobs, build resilience, and solve the challenge of resource scarcity,” Wilson said, adding, “Energy-from-Waste can also contribute to energy security and drive our efforts to decarbonise.”
The WARR sector’s role in Australia’s decarbonisation efforts was the focus of this morning’s program, with a keynote presentation about EfW’s contribution to the circular economy and long-term greenhouse gas emissions reductions, followed by a panel discussion on the role of EfW in delivering a net zero future.
Gayle Sloan, Chief Executive Officer WMRR said there needs to be a paradigm shift globally in how we produce and consume resources, including energy, if we are to reach net zero by 2050, as per the Paris agreement.
“EfW being a partially renewable source can play a part in replacing traditional sources of power, such as coal, and doing so will reduce carbon emissions,” Sloan said. “EfW also uses residual waste that would otherwise be disposed of in landfill and this shift from landfill to EfW will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including methane.
“Ultimately, a concerted effort is required across the entire supply chain in order to move towards both a circular and low carbon economy, and the role of EfW in a WARR ecosystem that prioritises material management in accordance with the waste hierarchy, should not be understated. It is not a silver bullet – there simply isn’t one – but an important tool to complement resource recovery and recycling that will contribute to our efforts to mitigate climate change.”
The two-day EfW conference, held in Melbourne, brings industry experts to the table to uncover pathways to a low-carbon future with a focus on the regulatory landscape, planning and development, stakeholder engagement, and technology and innovation.
For more information, visit: wmrr.com.au
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