Business and industry
- New business opportunities
- Smart State-Sustainable State
- Low emission electricity generation technology
- Renewable energy
Climate change has the potential to affect business and industries across Queensland, particularly those reliant on natural resources (such as water).
To help minimise possible adverse effects of climate change, businesses and industries could:
- reduce energy use
- decrease water use
- incorporate climate change considerations into business planning and decisions
- work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the full lifecycle of goods, products and services
- consider energy and water efficiency when leasing, building or renovating premises
- develop services, products and technologies that promote adaptation, such as water or energy use efficiency, and
- explore new business opportunities related to innovative climate smart technologies
The Queensland Government is committed to working in partnership with the State's business community to ensure that sufficient adjustment time is available for further reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and to help industry to capitalise on emerging opportunities. To find out more about Queensland Government initiatives aimed at supporting businesses, use the index at the top of the page.
New business opportunities
The Queensland Government is committed to working with industry to take advantage of business opportunities as part of a broader trend towards sustainability.
Potentially significant commercial opportunities exist in a number of areas, including:
- environmental management technologies and services
- alternative energy technologies and manufacturing
- enhanced forestry investment and industry transition opportunities through carbon sequestration and other emission offset packages
- innovative production practices and technologies for use in traditional and emissions-intensive industries; and
- production of biofuels through use of rural by-products (e.g. investment in electricity production from bagasse arising from sugar processing).
As part of the broader trend towards sustainability, sectoral emissions reduction will be considered whilst continuing to attract investment and export oppourtunities, encouraging innovation, improving technology and industry development.
Smart State-Sustainable State
- ecoBiz
- Energy Efficiency Forums
- Queensland Sustainable Energy Innovation Fund
- Smart Innovation Fund and teQstart Investment Fund
ecoBiz
The department, through its Sustainable Industries Division, helps industries achieve competitive advantage by moving beyond compliance levels of performance to new standards of eco-efficiency and eco-marketing. For example, through its ecoBiz program, the department helps Queensland businesses adopt resource-efficient practices that are good for the financial bottom line as well as for the environment.
For more information on sustainable industry practices.
Energy efficiency forums
The Department of Energy conducts EnergyWise Forums to provide case studies on successful energy efficiency projects, expert commentary about how to be more energy efficient and industry workshops to showcase energy efficient products.
Queensland Sustainable Energy Innovation Fund
The Queensland Sustainable Energy Innovation Fund (QSEIF) promotes innovation in energy efficiency, renewable energy and water-saving technologies and practices. QSEIF seeks to establish Queensland as a market leader in energy innovation and sustainable energy.
Smart Innovation Fund and teQstart Investment Fund
The Department of State Development, Trade and Innovation (DSDTI) works to support sustainable economic development in Queensland that will secure growth and employment. Programs targeted at assisting Queensland businesses and industries to enhance scientific and technology capabilities include Smart Innovation Fund and teQstart Investment Fund.
DSDTI also have a number of initiatives in place to assist manufacturing firms to implement efficient practices. These include manuals and guidelines on eco-efficient practices and workshops/seminars on eco-efficiency.
DSDTI also works in partnership with the Centre for Low Emissions Technology, which is described in more detail below.
Low emission electricity generation technology
A number of opportunities for a range of low-emission technologies for the generation of electricity are currently emerging in Queensland, albeit at varying stages of development. These include geothermal (hot dry rocks) technologies, fuel cells utilising hydrogen technologies, combined solar and wind technologies, wind power, biomass energy generation and low emission coal technologies.
Low emission coal is seen as a possible way forward until more advanced technologies such as fuel cells and hydrogen production (from non-fossil fuels) is achieved. Low emission coal involves a technology that allows for the capture and storage of carbon dioxide either pre or post-combustion. This carbon dioxide can then be pumped underground and stored in deep saline aquifers or sandstone.
Through its support for the CRC for Coal in Sustainable Development, the Queensland Government has been working with industry to facilitate more informed choices on state-of-the-art commercial plant design, fuel and operating practices, and to facilitate technological advances in new thermal coal combustion technologies.
The Queensland Government is keen to build upon these and other Australian research efforts to enhance Queensland's knowledge, skills and capabilities in low emission technology. To this end, the Queensland Government initiated the establishment of the Centre for Low Emission Technology in Brisbane.
For further information on Australian Government initiatives with business and industry
Renewable energy
Queensland's Government Owned Corporations (GOCs) currently operate a number of renewable energy generation plants. Renewable sources of energy account for about 5% of the State's total energy usage, and provide around 4% of Queensland's electricity. There is more information on renewable energy rebate programs.
Last updated: 17 August 2006