Australia forms Green Metals Advisory Panel to drive industry decarbonisation

The Australian Government has convened a panel of industry experts to guide the nation's metals sector towards a more sustainable future. The newly established Green Metals Advisory Panel comprises leaders from across the metals, finance, research, and decarbonisation industries.

Key members of the panel include Mark Cain, CEO of the Australian Steel Institute; Paul Howes, National Managing Partner at KPMG; Marghanita Johnson, CEO of the Australian Aluminium Council; and Rebecca Tomkinson, CEO of the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia.

The panel also features Jenny Selway, CEO of the Heavy Industry Low-Carbon Transition Cooperative Research Centre; Paul Farrow, National Secretary of the Australian Workers Union; and Steve Murphy, National Secretary of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union.

Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic highlights this shift towards greener metals production as a pivotal opportunity for achieving a sustainable future.

The Minister stated, "This Advisory Panel boasts impressive expertise and longstanding experience, helping guide Australia to capture the new jobs and export opportunities that come with greener metals manufacturing."

"Making more things here to create more jobs and grow businesses is what a Future Made in Australia is all about; that's why we're making the investments that back Australia's manufacturers to turn that vision into a reality."

The panel's insights are expected to complement a broader consultation process that has already attracted over 90 submissions from producers, peak bodies, researchers, and other stakeholders. This collaborative effort aims to ensure Australia's metals industry is well-positioned to lead the global transition to green and sustainable practices.

The Advisory Panel will offer independent guidance to shape policy options focused on green metals and industrial decarbonisation. Their insights will also inform the government’s Net Zero Industrial Plan, which aims to reduce emissions and encourage investment across the industrial sector.

This initiative is key to the Australian Government’s $22.7 billion ‘Future Made in Australia’ agenda. The plan is designed to maximise the economic and industrial advantages of transitioning to net zero while securing Australia’s position in a rapidly evolving global economic and strategic environment.

The federal government has emphasised the critical role of 'green' iron, steel, alumina, and aluminium in supporting the global and domestic energy transition. These metals are essential for producing wind turbines, electric vehicles, and grid infrastructure, though their traditional manufacturing processes are highly carbon-intensive. However, the government envisions a promising future for the metals industry, projecting it could generate up to $122 billion annually by 2024 while reducing emissions by as much as 250 megatonnes.

Decarbonisation has become the defining challenge of our time, driving initiatives across governments, corporations, and societal advocates alike to steer us toward a sustainable future. This imperative transcends the energy sector's shift to renewables, demanding industries from aluminium to agriculture rethink their processes and products to align with a low-carbon future. The goal is unmistakable—swift and comprehensive carbon reduction is essential.

Country wise breakdown of global carbon emissions for 2023

Source: Sigma Earth

In 2023, the world's top five carbon dioxide emitters remained unchanged from 2022: China, the United States, India, Russia, and Brazil. Together, these nations are responsible for over half of global carbon emissions. China leads as the largest emitter, contributing around 32 per cent of global emissions, followed by the United States at 14 per cent and India at 9.5 per cent.