While recent research in relation to Australia’s performance on climate change and the transition to clean energy is cause for concern, it could also be the shot in the arm needed to escalate the transition to a circular carbon economy.
As an increasing number of companies commit to reducing emissions, and investors demand clear, credible transition plans, the resource recovery industry will be critical to help organisations achieve Net Zero targets and progress the circular economy.
As a pioneer in the industry, ResourceCo has delivered carbon abatement solutions to Australian businesses for more than 30 years, but it’s only in recent times that the carbon economy has become a common part of the corporate narrative.
Henry Anning, Chief Executive Officer of ResourceCo Energy, says the trend towards cleaner energy is an exciting proposition for the resource recovery industry.
“That’s a really encouraging step in the right direction, but it’s actions that will always speak louder than words and clearly there’s more work to be done,” he says.
Henry was reflecting upon the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report, the most comprehensive climate report ever released, which found the earth could be just ten years from heating by more than 1.5 degrees Celsius.
The report projects that the world is facing worse fires, longer droughts, and more severe floods unless substantially more is done. This, coupled with a report from the Australia Institute which ranked the nation poorly for its transition to clean energy when compared with 22 other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries, only serves to reinforce the importance of the need to drive more rapid change.
“As a leader in carbon abatement and renewable energy, we look forward to building upon our partnerships with heavy industry to deliver better environmental outcomes,” Henry says.
“That could be through the sale of carbon abatement credits that add value for both customers and the communities in which they operate or through transition to a viable, cost-effective and more environmentally sound energy option such as heat or electricity from Processed Engineered Fuel (PEF).”
Henry explains that influencing change requires a collective vision towards cleaner energy.
“Change can only occur if we all work together to address the challenges we can’t afford to ignore and so we will continue to play our role in encouraging the use of ‘clean energy’”.
While there has been growth in solar and wind energy, energy-from-waste remains a relatively untapped opportunity and it has the added benefit of not only reducing greenhouse gas emissions but also diverting waste from landfill.
“We have quite literally diverted millions of tonnes of waste – it’s a win/win in providing a sustainable solution to baseload energy, while helping to address the complex issues of waste management,” Henry says.
ResourceCo operates two Resource Recovery Facilities (RRFs) in Australia, producing PEF from mixed construction and dry commercial waste. It will also soon launch a new world-class RRF in Brisbane.
These RRFs achieve significant carbon abatement by diverting material from landfill, and also help ResourceCo customers achieve carbon abatement through replacing fossil fuels with renewable fuels.
ResourceCo Tyre Recycling processes end-of-life tyres and conveyor belts to produce Tyre Derived Fuel (TDF) – an alternative fuel source that burns cleaner than coal, has twice the energy value of brown coal, reduces CO2 emissions and diverts tyres from landfill.
“We are proud of our work in progressing a circular economy and remain as committed as ever to playing our role in delivering better environmental outcomes and backing job creation and economic growth,” Henry says.
For more information, visit: resourceco.com.au