Low emissions technologies for fossil fuels

Burning fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas and oil releases carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Low emission fossil fuel technologies reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the power sector and in industrial processes such as cement, steel and hydrogen production. 

Low emission fossil fuel technologies include:

• carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS) with associated transport, injection and monitoring
• high efficiency low emission (HELE) electricity generation
• fugitive emission abatement technologies

We support these technologies by funding programs and initiatives that reduce technical risk and speed up commercialisation.

Programs and initiatives

• National Low Emissions Coal Initiative
• Carbon Capture and Storage Flagships
• Carbon Capture Use and Storage Development Fund
• Low Emissions Technology Development Fund
• Coal Mining Abatement Technology Support Package
• Hydrogen Energy Supply Chain Pilot Project

We partner with project proponents to implement these programs and initiatives. We manage these programs with our research agencies, CSIRO and Geoscience Australia.

International engagement

We participate in multilateral forums to exchange information and expertise. We promote and leverage opportunities offered by low emissions technologies internationally.

These forums include:

• Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum
• Mission Innovation
• Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute
• International Energy Agency

Australia works with key bilateral partners—such as China, Japan, India and the United States—to develop and deploy low emission technologies.

Regulating carbon capture and storage

Carbon capture and storage is regulated depending on if it occurs offshore or onshore.

Offshore regulation

The National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) regulates health and safety, well integrity and environmental management for offshore greenhouse gas storage operations. See NOPSEMA’s legislation and regulations page to find about their functions and powers under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006.

Onshore regulation

State and territory governments regulate carbon capture and storage (CCS) activities that occur onshore and within the coastline, up to three nautical miles from the baseline.

The Regulatory Guiding Principles for Carbon Dioxide Capture and Geological Storage [404KB PDF] sets out a nationally consistent regulatory CCS framework.

• Carbon capture and storage in Victoria
• Carbon capture and storage in Western Australia
• Carbon capture and storage in Queensland

Read more

• The Low Emissions Technology Roadmap discusses the technology options for Australia to meet its emissions abatement commitments.
• The CCS Roadmap for Australia confirms the viability of CCS technology in Australia and has laid down a deployment plan.
• The Coal21 Fund provides industry support for low emission fossil fuel technologies.
• Read the Independent Review into the Future Security of the National Electricity Market

Contact us

Email LowEmissions@industry.gov.au

See also

CSIRO’s research and development on low emission technologies for fossil fuels.