Arup and CEFC report finds $7.8b in opportunities for Australian bioenergy and waste investment

The CEFC is a leading investor on behalf of the Australian Government in bioenergy, recycling and energy-from-waste having committed investments of more than $400 million to the sector for a total project value of $1.7 billion.

CEFC CEO Ian Learmonth said: “Australia’s recycling and resource recovery sector is undergoing considerable transformation, driven by global market pressures, evolving consumer preferences and an increasing focus on reducing our carbon footprint.

“As an experienced investor in the bioenergy, recycling and energy-from-waste sectors, we see immediate and important investment opportunities in recycling and resource recovery, drawing on proven technologies with the potential to deliver long term economic and environmental benefits.”

The report discusses the key factors influencing market developments and identifies five principles for investors and decision-makers:

• Adopting mature and proven technologies, adapted to meet Australian markets and context

• Developing a robust strategy for securing suitable waste and feedstock materials and supplying recovered products or energy to market

• Implementing a mature commercial approach to infrastructure delivery and operation for long-term performance

• Clearly committing to community engagement, delivering a social licence to operate, and

• Taking an informed approach to site selection, balancing transport and energy efficiency consideration alongside land use and community expectations.

Joyanne said the sector could contribute significantly to Australia’s economic, employment and emissions goals with additional social benefits. New and expanded infrastructure requirements for waste, recycling and bioenergy projects have the potential to generate between $4 billion and $7.8 billion in new investment in the period to 2025. 

“Emissions reductions are also significant, with the potential to cut emissions from landfill by as much 60 per cent by substantially reducing, reusing and recycling materials before they enter the waste stream, in line with the waste hierarchy. And importantly, increased investment will result in provision of the necessary infrastructure required to support a circular economy,” she said.

“The employment benefits included the potential to create up to 9,000 construction jobs, 2,600 indirect jobs and as many as 1,400 direct and ongoing jobs, including in regional and rural areas.”