Emissions trading, future fuels and international oil supply are just some of the factors that will be considered as the
Emissions trading, future fuels and international oil supply are just some of the factors that will be considered as the CSIRO’s newly formed Future Fuels Forum (FFF) articulates the main challenges for the nation in arriving at a secure and sustainable transport fuel mix for road, rail, air and sea to 2050.
Director of the CSIRO Energy Transformed National Research Flagship, Dr John Wright, says the FFF comes at an ideal time as the decisions made today will set the course for Australia’s fuel mix to the middle of the century.
“Cost-effective transport underpins our lifestyles and economy. We need to start work now to ensure the sector can continue to deliver its many benefits and address its environmental impact along with other important issues relating to fuel security and supply,” he says.
The Future Fuels Forum is designed to provide useful input to decision makers in industry and government on strategic policy and future investment, which will be articulated through the release of a comprehensive report in June 2008.
An impressive list of participants has gathered, bringing a wealth of experience and many different perspectives and backgrounds that relate to the fuel and transport sectors.
“We expect some healthy debate that will result in the development of a diverse set of scenarios for Australia’s fuel and transport future,” Wright says.
The project follows the successful Energy Futures Forum, a collaboration with energy industry stakeholders which developed scenarios for the future of energy in Australia.
“The Energy Futures Forum gave us a broad view of Australia’s energy landscape and identified the need to focus more specifically on our nation’s fuel and transport sectors,” Wright says.
“I believe the Future Fuels Forum will result in similar success and make a significant contribution towards planning a secure and sustainable transport fuel mix.”
The Forum will draw on the expertise of forum participants and use sophisticated economic modelling technology to map out future scenarios.
Partners include the Australian Automobile Association, Australian Association for the Study of Peak Oil and Gas, Biofuels Association of Australia, Caltex, Engineers Australia, Future Climate Australia, National Roads and Motorists Association, National Transport Commission, Public Interest Advocacy Centre, Queensland Rail, Rocky Point Distillery, Sasol Chevron, the South Australian Government, the Victorian Government and Woolworths.
The Future Fuels Forum is still accepting expressions of interest from organisations wishing to join the initiative.