Biofuel technology exists that is carbon net zero. Biofuels are used in existing combustion engines without modification lowering cost using existing infrastructure, e.g. The Haru Oni plant in Chile. Australia has lots of land available. Subsidise a new industry, we grow biofuels and in the process create lots of rural employment and potential export markets. Govt can maintain fuel duty for tax income and pressure/demand for other electric generation is reduced lowering overall energy costs.
Land is not the only resource we can use to build a biofuel industry: https://www.csiro.au/en/research/plants/water-marine/algae-biofuels - Algae and Kelp: https://today.usc.edu/kelp-as-biofuel-ocean-seaweed-energy-usc-scientists/#:~:text=The%20team's%20newly%20published%20findings,potentially%20fewer%20adverse%20environmental%20impacts. - could provide us with other options.
Biofuels are made using pretty much the same resources as food for humans. Even if creating biofuels for combustion ends up being net zero, we don't have anough arable land in Australia to feed ourselves as well.
if biofuels go ahead, there will have to be protection for Australia's arable lands and food bowls which are already under pressure from expanding urban areas
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