The utilisation of clean coal technology, and the degree to
which it is effective, is an issue which is subject to debate. From an
Australian perspective, the sustainable management of coal is of particular
importance considering that it is the nation's secound largest export with its
industry employing almost 200,000 people and worth $60 billion to the economy.
With the notion of sustainability becoming increasingly relevant to corporate
business practice, Australian companies need to do more to secure their future
as large coal exporters. Neglect of bigger picture issues is driven by
economics, with the preoccupation of their bottom line potentially detrimental
to the long term viability of the industry at large. In comparison, solar and
wind-powered generation have grown more rapidly in response to incentives and
renewable energy targets. Consequently, it is up to the government to take a
leadership role in this matter and implement policies concerning carbon capture
and storage at coal-fired power stations. A look to the London based IEA Clean
Coal Centre is able to reveal that such mechanisms are effective on a
commercial scale.
Potter, B, 2014. Clean coal works on a large scale: IEA
expert. The Australian Financial Review,
23 April. 14.
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