Partnering with industry, the Australian Government and key research institutions to accelerate decarbonisation technology development and integration of innovation at scale.

What is decarbonisation?

Decarbonisation refers to the removal or reduction of carbon into the atmosphere by transitioning to low carbon energy sources and embedding new innovations and technologies.

Realisation of a diverse range of clean energy pathways such as electrification, battery storage, bioenergy and carbon capture solutions is critical to accelerating the energy mix transition and decarbonising our future.

Offsetting carbon can be achieved through technology, processes and strategies to reduce emissions output or to compensate for emissions or energy consumption. It may be a legislative requirement or a voluntary activity. Companies offset carbon through a range of strategies to comply with allowed emissions or purchase offsets to compensate for emissions.

The increasing need to decarbonise is influenced by emission compliance requirements to achieve net-zero emissions targets, and by growing consumer demand for carbon neutral products.

Sector development

The energy transition is accelerating. It is an immediate challenge and significant opportunity of national and global significance to generate sustainable economic growth while decarbonising industry.

Collaborative approaches to decarbonisation and clean energy technologies are vital for the Territory to become a global net zero sector leader driving innovation, technology and sustainable economic growth.

Renewable energy is a key priority for the Territory Government, striving to achieve 50 per cent renewables for electricity supply by 2030. Battery storage and future hydrogen production are rapidly becoming more commercial through technological advances.

Opportunities to electrify equipment and processes and transitioning power grids to renewable sources is accelerating. Significant research and development is also driving solutions for hard to abate sectors, such as manufacturing, that often require high heat.  

Bioenergy, renewable electricity, renewable hydrogen, geothermal and solar thermal are emerging net zero pathways for high process heat industrial sectors that will see enhanced competitiveness and accelerated deployment as technology is realised at scale.

Carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS) is also a proven decarbonisation enabler, vital for hard to abate sectors and recognised as a key component in the pathway to a clean energy future.

Read the Carbon Capture and Storage Hub Study completed in November 2020 by the Global CCS Institute

The Northern Territory Government has partnered with CSIRO, industry and engineering companies to develop a business case assessing the viability of a large-scale CCUS Hub.

In addition the Territory Government is:

• developing a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Offset policy in accordance with section 1.3.2 of the Climate Change Response: Towards 2050. The policy will be finalised in early 2022 following recent public consultation
• facilitating research into The Land Based Abatement Program carbon offset methodologies to assist land managers to identify potential carbon abatement opportunities and engage in the carbon market to improve productivity and generate new revenue streams while reducing emissions
• continuing the Emissions Reduction Strategy, due mid-2022, following the Large Greenhouse Gas Emitters policy which was completed and released in September 2021
• reviewing the current regulatory settings for carbon offsets.

Delivering gas-led growth will see the Territory provide cleaner, more affordable energy across the world, while creating long-term jobs and sustainable economic growth for Territorians.