Australian government invests $53M in biomass-burning cement kiln despite climate concerns
By
David Lindenmayer
1h ago· 6 min readenOpinion
Summary
The Australian government has invested nearly $53 million in a Tasmanian company to convert a coal-fired cement kiln to burn forest biomass ("waste" wood) and used tyres. The article argues this is not a clean energy solution, citing scientific evidence that burning forest biomass produces significant carbon emissions, often more than coal. It calls for pursuing genuinely cleaner alternatives for cement manufacturing instead of this approach.
Source
bskyAustralian government invests $53M in biomass-burning cement kiln despite climate concernstheconversation.comKey quotes
· 3 pulledThe Australian government has agreed to invest almost $53 million in a north Tasmanian company that will upgrade its coal-fired kiln to burn wood 'waste' and used tyres for cement manufacturing.
The Federal Minister for Climate Change, Chris Bowen, says this initiative will help decarbonise the Australian economy.
However, the science is clear: burning forest biomass, or so-called forest 'waste' – which could include dead trees, understorey vegetation and fallen logs – generates lots of carbon emissions.
The science is clear: burning forest material for energy produces lots of carbon emissions.
