About COAL21

COAL21 is not an organisation. It is a partnership between the coal and electricity industries, unions, federal and state governments and the research community. It commenced in March 2003 when the Australian Coal Association issued invitations to participate in a process aimed at first identifying and then realising the potential for reducing or eliminating greenhouse gas emissions from coal-based electricity generation in Australia.

It is well recognised that fossil fuels will continue to play a strong role in meeting global energy demand, energy security, and, in Australia's case, generating export income, employment and investment. As an energy intensive economy with a strong dependence on coal, reducing emissions that arise from its use is one of a broad suite of responses that will be needed if Australia is to make significant cuts in stationary energy sector emissions in the foreseeable future. Other measures will need to include greater emphasis on end use efficiency, greater use of lower carbon fuels and alternative technologies where they are most practical, greater use of renewables and a strong commitment to RD&D in all areas. COAL21 is intended to complement these measures, not replace them.

The objectives of COAL21 recognise the important role that coal plays in sustaining Australia's energy security and economic competitiveness. They also recognise the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions over time in ways that maintain the advantages of a secure and competitive energy supply.

COAL21 Objectives

The formal objectives of COAL21, adopted by the Participants in 2003, are to:

1. Create a national plan to scope, develop, demonstrate and implement near zero emissions coal-based electricity generation that will achieve major reductions in greenhouse gas emissions over time while maintaining Australia's low cost electricity advantage.

2. Use the plan to inform governments and industry as an input to policy development.

3. Facilitate the demonstration, commercialisation and early uptake of technologies identified in the plan.

4. Promote relevant Australian RD&D so that it can both build upon and make a unique contribution to international RD&D in the area.

5. Foster greater public awareness of the role of coal and the potential for near zero emissions coal-based electricity generation to significantly reduce or eliminate greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts associated with its use.

6. Provide a mechanism for effective interaction and integration with other international zero emission coal initiatives.

COAL21 Program

The first stage of COAL21 was the development of the COAL21 National Action Plan. The process ran from March 2003 to March 2004 and involved input from a wide range of participants and consultation with other key stakeholders. The National Action Plan was officially launched at Parliament House, Canberra in March 2004 by the Commonwealth Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources, The Hon. Ian Macfarlane MP.

The second stage of COAL21 commenced in 2004 and is focused on implementing the measures identified in the National Action Plan, including fostering greater community awareness and understanding of the key issues.

COAL21 National Action Plan

Although coal has a number of important uses, the COAL21 National Action Plan focuses exclusively on its use as a fuel in electricity generation, the major source of greenhouse gas emissions arising from the use of coal in Australia.

The National Action Plan covers a range of opportunities for reducing emissions, however the primary focus is on emerging or 'breakthrough' technologies, including those with the potential to deliver major reductions or even eliminate emissions. These are the technologies that will help provide a bridge to a more sustainable energy future, a future based on renewables and fossil fuel-based energy with low or even near zero emissions.

In addition to identifying these technologies, the National Action Plan assesses the potential abatement that could be achieved and describes the actions that need to be taken if they are to be deployed comercially in Australia.

COAL21 Structure and Activities

The COAL21 National Action Plan provides a coherent agenda, however participating organisations are involved in varying aspects of this depending on their particular circumstances and interests. COAL21 operates as a network, a forum, a focal point for information exchange and as a mechanism to facilitate collaboration and cooperation.

The structure and basic activities of COAL21 include:

• A Secretariat provided by the Australian Coal Association from its Canberra office.
  
  
• A Steering Committee broadly representing the different participant categories. The Steering Committee deals with administrative and strategic issues pertaining to the running of COAL21. Significant issues are also referred to all participants.
  
  
• An RD&D Advisory Committee comprised of technical and scientific experts drawn from participating organisations. The primary role of this group is to provide advice on technical and scientific issues, assess RD&D proposals and provide advice on RD&D collaboration and coordination. Specialised sub-groups of this committee can be formed as required at the discretion of members or at the request of proponents of specific projects.
  
  
• A Communications Group with members drawn from participating organisations. The Communications Group meets to exchange information on the communication and education aspects of COAL21.
  
  
• Roundtable meetings involving all participants are held twice a year. The purpose of the roundtable meetings is to provide an opportunity for physical networking, discussion, information sharing and strategic decision-making on matters that concern all participants.
  
  
• Regular conference calls are held every two months and can be joined by any participant wishing to share information or be updated on important developments.
  
  
• Ad-hoc working groups of COAL21 participants are convened as required to deal with specific issues as they arise.
  
  
• A COAL21 Annual Conference is to be held for the first time in April 2005 to mark a year since the launch of the COAL21 National Action Plan.
  
  
• A COAL21 Annual Review will be prepared each year to be released at the Annual Conference. The Review reports progress over the previous year towards implementation of the National Action Plan.
  
  
• COAL21 News is produced every two months by the Secretariat with input from participants. It is distributed widely within Australia and internationally. The Secretariat also maintains the COA21 website.