Submission—Green Metals Consultation Paper

On 26 July 2024, the Academy made a submission to the Australian Government's Green Metals Consultation Paper.

Download submission (PDF, 276KB)

Decarbonisation and the transition to net-zero emissions demand technological shifts that are underpinned by scientific capability. The Future Made in Australia policy framework needs to draw on a strong science foundation to inform investments in promising applied science and technology to deliver the required capabilities for Australia. Advancing science capability not only enables innovation in green metals to deliver economic growth but also enhances sustainability.

The Academy advises that:

• Australia needs a multi-faceted approach to stimulate investment in enabling renewable energy infrastructure for green metals, including private sector engagement and investment.
• Green metals industry must examine the true sustainability of green metals by:
  • implementing lifecycle assessments of green metal materials or products to quantify the environmental impacts of green metals production
  • developing policies that consider the entire green metals supply chain, from mine to end-use products to recycling, addressing every step as a ‘green’ process.
• Including copper in policy considerations is crucial due to its essential role in electric vehicles, renewable energy systems and storage batteries. However, production of copper lags behind.