WELCOME SUPPORT FOR BUSINESS TRANSITION TO LOWER EMISSIONS
8 March 2021
The region’s peak business advocacy organisation, Business Illawarra, has today welcomed the announcement by the NSW State Government of a $750 million program to help businesses develop low emissions technologies.
“Government support for business is fundamental to realising a successful transition to zero net emissions,” said the Executive Director of Business Illawarra, Mr Adam Zarth.
“Today’s announcement is clear recognition of the need to support carbon exposed businesses, such as Australia’s pre-eminent steel manufacturer, BlueScope Steel, in the transition to a low emission future.”
“The Illawarra has a bright future as a future hydrogen hub, and Port Kembla in particular is uniquely positioned given the existing industrial supply chain and associated distribution infrastructure.”
“Business Illawarra recently provided a submission to the NSW Government’s Parliamentary Inquiry on the Development of a Hydrogen Industry in NSW. We support the Government’s initiatives in this area and consider that hydrogen represents a significant opportunity for NSW and Australia as a major producer and exporter of a key input to the low emissions supply chain.”
“It is also good to see the government make better use of the NSW Climate Change Fund as we have previously advocated for surpluses from the Climate Change Fund to be more directly spent on measures to improve business energy efficiency.”
“While hydrogen does not yet present a commercially viable solution to heavy industry production processes, Business Illawarra strongly supports measures that will assist sectors that may be disproportionately affected by the transition to green technologies, such as steel manufacturing.”
“The Government’s support will also help communities that rely on heavy industries, such as the coal and steel manufacturing sectors in the Illawarra, to continue to support jobs and the local economy as we move toward a greener future.”
“We encourage local businesses to apply for grants from the scheme when they open in April.”
Business Illawarra’s submission to the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry is available here.