The Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA (CME) welcomes today's release of the WA Government's CCUS Action Plan, which sends a clear signal about the integral role of the technically and commercially proven technology to global decarbonisation efforts.
The CME has long advocated for a legislative and regulatory framework encouraging the use of carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) projects in WA, including through its position on the LNG Taskforce.
CME Chief Executive Officer Rebecca Tomkinson said the Action Plan identified the critical need for CCUS, particularly to support investment in hard-to-abate sectors, with the Action Plan recognising a role for industries including ammonia, cement, iron and steel and LNG processing.
"The net zero challenge we face is huge. We need to decarbonise our economy in less than a generation while still maintaining energy security, jobs and our enviable standard of living," Ms Tomkinson said.
"Achieving that goal will require every tool at our disposal. CCUS is one of those tools - and an especially valuable one in a State blessed with the natural geology to safely store carbon dioxide underground or under the seabed."
Legislation clearing the way for expanded use of CCUS in WA passed State Parliament in May.
Ms Tomkinson said it was pleasing to see the WA Government's continued focus on swiftly developing a regulatory framework that prioritises safety and effectiveness.
"There is an urgent need for effective and rapid work between government, industry and communities to identify opportunities and drive collaboration to deliver new projects," Ms Tomkinson said.
"The scale and extent of policy support for CCUS in other jurisdictions - including the US, Europe and Middle East - means failure to act quickly risks WA playing catch up as investment goes elsewhere.
"It's also vital the Australian Government follows WA in explicitly recognising the role CCUS will play in hard-to-abate sectors and implements policy settings that send an equally clear signal to the market."
