Feedstocks are essential to bioenergy production. The Australian Government has committed to exploring how we can grow a strong bioenergy feedstock industry. Feeding Australia media release.
Australia’s wide range of biomass feedstocks – organic materials used to produce bioenergy - each come with their own commercial, technical, and logistical challenges and opportunities. Overcoming barriers to building supply chains will require clear policies, developed in coordination with industry, producers and governments.
The National Bioenergy Feedstock Strategy (strategy) will guide a coordinated approach to developing the feedstock industry. It aims to maximise opportunities for agriculture and forestry, while ensuring bioenergy feedstock production continues to complement food and fibre production.
The strategy is being developed alongside the National Food Security Strategy: Feeding Australia, to ensure both strategies work together.
Bioenergy
Bioenergy -including most low-carbon liquid fuels and low carbon gases- is highlighted as a critical factor in Australia’s transition to net zero emissions. Expanding the use of these alternatives to fossil fuels can help reduce emissions in sectors that are hard to electrify, such as aviation, maritime, heavy transportation, and mining.
Building a bioenergy industry in Australia will help maximise the economic and industrial benefits of the shift to clean energy and net zero. A domestic bioenergy industry will also strengthen long-term fuel security and provide new commercial opportunities for primary producers providing the required feedstocks.
To help realise these outcomes, the Australian Government is investing $1.1 billion to incentivise LCLF production in Australia through the Cleaner Fuels Program.
The program builds on earlier investments in research and development including:
- $250 million through the Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund
- $33.5 million through the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Funding Initiative.
The Government is also expanding the Guarantee of Origin (GO) Scheme to include LCLFs, and establishing the Paraffinic Diesel Standard.
Stakeholder engagement
The department has commenced engaging with stakeholders to help shape the strategy. This includes a consultation process, featuring a discussion paper and an invitation for feedback from producers, industry groups, researchers, and the wider community.
View the discussion paper and share your feedback on the National Bioenergy Feedstock Strategy.