In a statement, the organisation said an initial sum of $90 million would be used to bring together research, industry, government, and communities in this endeavour.
The sectors being targeted include steel and agriculture.
CSIRO chief executive Dr Larry Marshall said transitioning these industries would be tackled by turning the problem into new economic growth by building national capability and re-imagining how we live and work.
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“So, our mission must be co-developed, not just with those in the hard-to-abate industries, but also in partnership with their communities to understand the impacts and opportunities arising from new science-enabled technologies and ways of doing business.
“The transformation... is critical to our nation’s future prosperity, and Australian science will ensure no one gets left behind in this enormous transition. Every Australian is part of the journey to net zero.”
The Towards Net Zero Mission will:
- Support a profitable and sustainable agriculture industry in a low emissions world;
- Identify what is required to develop new low emissions steel and iron ore processes;
- Identify what is required to develop sustainable aviation fuel to support our aviation sector;
- Help regions navigate the transition to net zero through new collaborations, analysis, and support; and
- Expand Australia’s carbon offset capacity by using and scaling negative emission technologies such as carbon sequestration.
Climate Change Authority chief executive Brad Archer said: "We are excited to be collaborating with the Towards Net Zero Mission on an upcoming report to better understand Australia’s carbon sequestration potential. This will help inform choices about our pathways to net zero emissions, ensuring those choices are backed by rigorous, science-based evidence.”
Salvo Vitelli, general manager, Agriculture Policy, Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, added: "Agriculture and its supply chains will play a critical role in Queensland’s decarbonisation.
"CSIRO has provided independent analysis to guide our vision and policy response for the sector, as evidenced in the draft Low Emissions Agriculture Roadmap released for public consultation in June.
"The Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries looks forward to continuing to work with the Towards Net Zero Mission and other key research programs to ensure the agribusiness sector capitalises on low emissions economic opportunities.”
The mission will see CSIRO join with government partners and collaborators Climate Change Authority; Department of Climate Change, Energy; Environment and Water; Department of Industry, Science and Resources; Grains Research & Development Corporation; Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries; along with industry partners and collaborators BHP; Boeing; Climate Leaders Coalition; Climate-Kic; ClimateWorks; Incitec Pivot; KPMG Australia; Meat & Livestock Australia; Qantas; and a number of universities and research organisations including Heavy Industry Low-carbon Transition Co-operative Research Centre.
