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Tim’s presentation at Engineers Australia on April 3 focused on China’s dominance in cleantech, particularly in solar and electric vehicles, and how it is rapidly decarbonizing. He also discussed global responses to China’s leadership and Australia’s efforts to adapt, including transitioning to renewable energy and decarbonizing its electricity system. Tim concluded by highlighting both the economic threats and strategic opportunities that China’s rise presents for Australia. Read more

Australia’s green steel transition presents both a major challenge and a significant opportunity. China is rapidly moving towards decarbonisation, creating an opportunity for Australia to lead in green iron production. However, building a green iron industry faces hurdles, even in adopting low-emission methods like Direct Reduced Iron given our expensive domestic fossil gas. Key steps for success in this industry were discussed at the Australian Green Iron & Steel Forum on March 26-27, 2025, at Pan Pacific Perth, where Tim was invited as a speaker. Read more

The conversation also covers Australia’s role in the energy transition, acknowledging the country’s significant reliance on fossil fuel exports but emphasizing its renewable energy potential. Tim discusses Australia’s advantages in solar and wind resources, comparing its progress with countries like China and India, who are leading in renewable energy installation. Tim argues that Australia must embrace decarbonization opportunities, particularly by leveraging its mining sector to produce green iron and create value-added exports that could significantly reduce emissions in the steel industry. Read more

The Albanese Government has today announced a landmark package to salvage the beating heart of South Australia’s steel industry, and provide the necessary, strategic public intervention to future-proof and catalyse the region’s transition to a nation-leading green iron and steel hub. Read more

Australia represents both a significant economic challenge and a major strategic opportunity, provided we can address critical obstacles in technology, pricing signals, and value-added solutions. Meanwhile, China’s leadership in global cleantech has yet to fully materialize within the steel sector. Read more

CEF’s submission to Senate Economics Legislation Committee Inquiry into The Future Made in Australia (Production Tax Credits and Other Measures) Bill 2024 [Provisions]. The submission was written by CEF’s Matt Pollard. CEF has published the submission following the public release by the Senate on 13 January 2025. Read more

On 18 December 2024, Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Finance Minister Kety Gallagher released the Albanese Government’s 2024-25 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO). This comes after the 2024-25 budget, released in May, announced $21bn in new funding initiatives under the landmark Future Made in Australia (FMIA) framework. Read more

Presentation on reconstructing global iron and steel supply chains Read more

CEF’s new report examines the global shift towards decarbonising the iron and steel industry and outlines a strategic plan for Australia to capitalise on this transition by establishing a domestic green iron industry, leveraging its comparative advantages in its vast iron ore reserves and renewable energy potential. Read more

Tim Buckley gives the prestigious ANU Solar Oration, detailing how solar has become the dominant source of net new electricity capacity installed globally with China leading a global step change in cleantech manufacturing capacity. Solar continues to be deflationary, driving deployment – and disruptive in combination with batteries and EVs. Tim also looks at the implications for Australian energy transition and the policy frameworks we need to speed decarbonisation. The video of the oration is available here: https://iceds.anu.edu.au/news-events/events/anu-solar-oration-2024-solar-step-change Read more

CEF’s news report shows that a green capital tsunami of investments from China into cleantech around the world is speeding decarbonisation, but Australia, with its opaque foreign investment regime, is missing out, as investment hit a multidecade low last year, forgoing its massive opportunity to co-invest with China in clean energy-powered onshore value-adding, including green iron. Read more

In a landmark for accelerating electrification and decarbonisation of the Pilbara, Australia’s resources engine room, the WA Government’s Pilbara Energy Transition (PET) Plan has announced the development of priority common user infrastructure (CUI) corridors in the region. Read more