The Biden administration launches a $6 billion investment to cut emissions in the US industrial sector, while Western Australia faces challenges in meeting its net-zero goals amid rising emissions.
The Biden administration in the United States has announced a significant $6 billion investment aimed at reducing emissions within the industrial sector, a move that stands as the largest initiative of its nature in combating climate change in the country. This initiative targets a sector responsible for roughly 25% of U.S. emissions, focusing on various industries including steel, aluminum, concrete, cement, and food and beverage. It will support 33 demonstration projects across over 20 states, featuring technologies such as zero-carbon aluminum casting in West Virginia, heat pumps and electric boilers in Michigan, and hydrogen-based ironmaking in Ohio. These projects are expected to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions annually.
In a related development, concerns have been raised in Western Australia (WA) about increasing greenhouse gas emissions, threatening Australia’s net-zero carbon ambitions. Projections indicate that WA’s emissions could be 20% above 2005 levels by 2024, exacerbated by the state’s heavy reliance on the mining and gas sectors and slow progress in transitioning to cleaner energy sources. Despite attempts to decarbonize its main power grid, challenges such as lengthy approval processes for renewable energy projects contribute to the delay. The state government is considering a 2035 goal for emission reductions, aiming to retire all coal-fired power stations by 2030 and boost wind generation and energy storage to reduce emissions by 40%.
The U.S. investment also sees European companies, including Swedish steelmaker SSAB, benefiting, with $500 million allocated for a hydrogen-based commercial-scale steel plant in Mississippi. This forms part of efforts to stimulate the manufacturing sector and drive industrial strategy, fostering the transition towards cleaner energy production and reducing the environmental impact of heavy industries. The initiative highlights a broader, global movement towards sustainable and low-emission manufacturing practices, aiming for both environmental benefits and industry stabilization through job creation.