McKenzie, Sen Bridget

Senator McKENZIE: Everyone's going to get a prize on this one! Prof. Karoly : Thank you. First of all, it's critically important to recognise that within Australia there has been federal government investment in research on carbon capture and storage, and that has led to no large-scale commercially viable carbon capture and storage solutions in Australia, despite financial investment, for more than 20 years. It is much easier, unfortunately, to pay for and use batteries or other—if you like—water resource related dams like the Snowy 2.0 plan that had been set up to do it. These are much more tested and reliable solutions. But you're absolutely right that there are critically important transition needs for all communities to a transition to a zero carbon economy. There are lots of opportunities within the agriculture sector, particularly in soils, to improve agricultural output by improving the carbon storage in soils throughout Australia, because—how would I say?—European agricultural techniques have led to significant reduction in carbon stored in soils in many areas of Australia. Improvement of that soil storage will lead to improved agricultural productivity as well as reduction of carbon in the atmosphere. The same applies to increases in, first of all, retention in native forests as well as planting more trees. This is critically important and so is trying to manage those trees so they stay upright—and don't cut down more trees. So there are lots of opportunities. It is not only the bad news that Professor England and I have been talking about. CHAIR: Christopher? Mr Anderson : I think you're absolutely right to pinpoint that there are communities at the—if you like—pointy end of the transition.