Australia's Energy Futures Forum has begun work identifying plausible future energy and transport scenarios.
In the first meeting of its kind, industry, environmental, government, scientific and community groups have now met. The Forum's agreed aim is to bring together a diverse group of stakeholders to explore potential pathways for future energy and transport needs.
The Forum has been jointly developed by ABARE and CSIRO's Energy Transformed National Research Flagship with the support of the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources. The invited participants currently include:
Alcoa World Alumina Australia Australian Automobile Association Australian Conservation Foundation Australian Council of Social Service BHP Billiton Department of Industry Tourism and Resources ENERGEX Hydro Tasmania Loy Yang Power NSW electricity generators* OneSteel Orica Origin Energy Pacific Hydro Public Interest Advocacy Centre Rio Tinto Stanwell Corporation Westpac Banking Corporation WWF Australia Woodside Energy Xstrata Coal
"This is an important opportunity to promote constructive dialogue between the diverse stakeholders and to focus on key issues that will be faced by the industry as well as the community," Dr John Wright, Director of CSIRO's 'Energy Transformed' Flagship, said.
"Ultimately, the Forum aims to provide information for different organisations to use to meet their individual planning needs. For example, for Government to inform energy and environment policy and development, businesses as a tool for investment strategies and for CSIRO to use in the development of future research programs."
"To do this the Forum will use improved, purpose-built integrated models featuring a linkage of economic technology development and implementation, social attitudes and environment modelling," Dr Wright said.
The Forum is a two year program and information generated from the collaborative process will be made public at appropriate times.
* Joint participants Delta Electricity, Eraring Energy & Macquarie Generation
Further Information Dr John Wright, CSIRO Energy Transformed – 61-2-4960-6080 john.wright@csiro.au
Media Assistance Sam East, CSIRO Energy Transformed – 61-2-4960-6039 or 0418-282-055 sam.east@csiro.au
February 2005