Australia invests more in hydrogen ahead of climate summit

Sydney, Australia, Sep 20 (EFE).- Australia announced Monday more investment in its hydrogen industry to increase its share of clean energy amid criticism over its environment policy ahead of the global climate summit in November.

The central government announced AU$150 million ($109 million) for two facilities as a part of its Clean Hydrogen Industrial Hubs program, with an eye on making Australia a world leader in hydrogen fuel export by 2030.

This is in addition to the ambitious AU$1.2 billion investment program in the hydrogen industry, including funds for the development of projects.

“We are accelerating the development of our Australian hydrogen industry and it is our ambition to produce the cheapest clean hydrogen in the world, transforming our transport, energy, resources and manufacturing sectors,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in a joint statement with the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor.

“This is good for jobs, good for our environment and contributes to our global effort to reduce emissions through technology not taxes,” Morrison said.

The government estimates that the hydrogen industry could account for up to $11 billion income for its economy in about 30 years and create some 8,000 jobs, according to the statement.

Australia, the world’s largest coal exporter, will be under scrutiny over its efforts in the transition towards clean-energy during the United Nations Climate Change Conference 2021 (COP26) in November in Glasgow, Scotland.

The Morrison government, which has several advocates of fossil-fuel in its ranks, has committed to reducing emissions by up to 26 percent compared to 2005 emissions levels, but refuses to adopt a clear target for achieving neutral emissions.

The European Union and countries such as Argentina, China, Chile, Colombia, South Korea, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Panama, and the United Kingdom have committed to zero emissions by 2050, something also promised by US President Joe Biden.

Morrison left for Washington on Monday to attend a meeting of the Quad group, an informal alliance of the United States, India, Japan and Australia.

The meeting, to be held later this week, will address issues such as security in the Indo-Pacific region, the Covid-19 pandemic and climate change. EFE

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