Climate change, economy & energy security

New Gen Coal

Issues

 

Coal, carbon dioxide and climate change

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a natural substance that is in the air and essential to life. CO2 has commercial uses too – for example, it’s what makes fizzy drinks fizzy. However, human activities such as agriculture and the mining, manufacture and burning of fossil fuels are increasing CO2 levels in the atmosphere. Most scientists consider that rising CO2 levels are contributing to global climate change.

Learn about climate change

Coal in Australia

Black coal brings more export income to Australia than any other product or service. The coal industry is a mainstay of many regional Australian communities. It supports 130,000 Australian jobs. Through wages, royalties, taxes and other payments, it contributes over $20 billion to Australia’s economy every year.

85% of Australia's electrical power comes from coal Employement at coal mines in Australia by type 1995-2006 - Graph showing increase of jobs in underground and open cut mines. Graph showing comparison of 2007/2008 to 2008/2009 commodities exports Commodity Exports. Australia will export $55 billion of coal in 2008/2009 and continue to be our leading export. Source: abare.gov.au
 
 
  1. 1 Australian Commodities, September Quarter 2008, ABARE
  2. 2 Energy Supply Association of Australia, 2008
  3. 3 Australia DFAT, 2009
  4. 4 QLD Dept. of Treasury, Sept 08, from Queensland Budget Strategy and Outlook
  5. 5 Sydney Morning Herald, 12/11/2008
  6. 6 QLD Govt. Dept. of Mines and Energy, Mar 08, from QLD Coal Stats
  7. 7 NSW Dept. of Primary Industries, June 07, from NSW Dept of Primary Industries website
 

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What scientists are saying

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  • Why is education about climate change important? Why is education about climate change important? Anna Littleboy, Operations Director from CSIRO Minerals Down Under Flagship, discusses the importanc... View transcript
  • Do Australians think it’s important to tackle climate change? Do Australians think it’s important to tackle climate change? Anna Littleboy, Operations Director from CSIRO Minerals Down Under Flagship, discusses Australia's v... View transcript
  • Can Australia really make a difference? Can Australia really make a difference? Peta Ashworth from CSIRO Exploration and Mining, discusses Australia's ability to make a difference ... View transcript
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  • How is CSIRO helping people understand climate change? How is CSIRO helping people understand climate change? Peta Ashworth from CSIRO Exploration and Mining, discusses how the CSIRO are involved in increasing ... View transcript
  • How do Australians view climate change? How do Australians view climate change? Peta Ashworth from CSIRO Exploration and Mining, discusses how Australians perceive climate change. View transcript
  • Why is public awareness of climate change important? Why is public awareness of climate change important? Peta Ashworth from CSIRO Exploration and Mining, discusses the importance of increasing the public's... View transcript
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  • How can Australia help reduce greenhouse gases? How can Australia help reduce greenhouse gases? Greg Everett, General Manager Strategy of Delta Electricity, discusses how Australia can contribute ... View transcript
  • How is the coal industry responding to climate change? How is the coal industry responding to climate change? Burt Beasley, the Australian Coal Association's Director, Technology and Innovation, explains how th... View transcript
  • How is climate change affected by coal? How is climate change affected by coal? Dr John Wright, Director of the CSIRO's Energy Transformed Flagship, explains the impact the burning... View transcript
 

How can coal ever be clean?

It’s not the actual coal that needs to be clean, it’s the CO2 from coal emissions that needs to be reduced.

To that end we’re developing technology that can make a big difference.

Find out more
 

In R&DTV

R&DTV
 
Play Video Play video   How are unions working with industry?
 
How are unions working with industry?

Tony Maher, Gen. Pres., CFMEU

Play Video Play video   Kevin Rudd launches the Global CCS Institute
 
Kevin Rudd launches the Global CCS Institute

The Prime Minister addresses the members of the Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute in Canberra.

Frequently asked questions

All frequently asked questions
 
 

Why are we investing in coal and not just switching to renewables like wind and solar?

If we were to stop using coal altogether we will have a significant energy supply problem More

Is there any research being done into ways to re-use captured CO2 emissions?

Definitely, and there are many exisiting commercial and industrial uses for large quantities of captured CO2 emissions. More

 

The capture and storage of CO2 requires additional energy, and therefore creates additional emissions. Taking the energy penalty of CCS into account, what is the real captured amount of CO2?

An old retrofitted coal fired power station capturing almost all the CO2 emissions requires approximately 30% more energy. More

Where is the proof that man-made CO2 is causing climate change?

Observed changes in climate, especially temperature increases since about 1970, cannot be explained solely by natural causes. More

 

What happens if there is an earthquake or other disturbance around a geosequestration site? Can stored CO2 freely flow from a breach in its storage surroundings?

An earthquake at CO2 storage site should not result in leakage as long as the site is well characterised and properly monitored. More