Challenges and opportunities for fossil fuels in a carbon - constrained world – an Australian perspective

Abstract

With climate change undeniable, what are Australia’s opportunities for achieving more controlled greenhouse gases releases, while still using fossil fuels? How does this interplay with the reduction of fossil crude oil supply and the increasing shift in Australia towards importing finished products, declining refinery infrastructure and consequently reduction in the availability of chemical feed stocks for the local chemical industry? In fact, will there be an Australian chemicals and refining industry 30 years from now? The talk discussed these questions and aimed to outline a vision for Australia that might successfully deal with some of their aspects. Furthermore, this vision will be partially translated and exemplified with our lignite value add project in Victoria.