The METS sector and its critical role in supporting the coal industry to decarbonise will be first cab off the rank for attention under the Greater Whitsunday region’s new Decarbonisation Accelerated project.

Officially launched on Friday, the project is a partnership between Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3) and Mackay’s Resources Centre of Excellence (RCOE), along with major funding partner the Local Buying Foundation (LBF).

RCOE chief executive officer Steven Boxall said the region had a major role in achieving a new direction with mining companies working hard to decarbonise their operations.

“Mining companies are changing their business models and what they do around decarbonisation,” he said.

“When you think about it, the path to decarbonisation impacts the entire Australian resources sector.

“This is not something that’s going to slow us down, but instead, speed us up.

“And we have a major role to play, not just locally, not just nationally, but globally, in achieving the path to decarbonisation. Without our region, a lot of this can’t happen.

“The win for us is at a community level, by securing the economy of our region and the jobs of the future. It’s a big challenge but it’s a great opportunity for Greater Whitsunday.”

GW3 chief executive officer Kylie Porter said the Decarbonisation Accelerated project was one of the first of its kind in Australia where a whole-of-region approach to decarbonisation was being taken. 

“Our region is focused on seizing the opportunities that global decarbonisation brings.

“All current evidence indicates that while the metallurgical coal industry will remain strong for many decades, we still need to decarbonise our industries at the same time. 

“The purpose of Decarbonisation Accelerated is to secure the future viability of our traditional sectors, by supporting businesses on the pathway to decarbonisation, while at the same time, creating opportunities in emerging sectors which have decarbonised principles.”

Ms Porter said some of those new emerging sectors include renewable energy, critical minerals, biomanufacturing and aerospace.

“Our vision is by 2025, is the Greater Whitsunday region, through reducing carbon output, will have continued to diversify its economic base to ensure long-term economic prosperity,” she said.