The opportunity state: leaving nothing to luck as we prepare Queensland industries to reap the rewards of decarbonisation

The Queensland new-industry development strategy will direct the growth of new industries and guide existing industries in their transition to make the most of the global decarbonisation opportunity.

Queensland has been known as the Smart State, the Sunshine State and even the Slogan State. It would be remiss to not also think of us as a lucky state, especially now, as the world moves at increasing speed to decarbonise across industries.

With abundant natural assets, established and innovative burgeoning industries, and a government committed to taking advantage of the benefits decarbonisation will bring, Queensland looks to have hit the decarb jackpot. But as the philosopher Seneca would tell us, when it comes down to it, luck really has little to do with Queensland’s optimistic future.

As he put it, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”

In Queensland, we’re making our own luck by preparing our industries to meet the opportunity presented by the global move to decarbonise, as outlined in the newly launched Queensland new-industry development strategy (QNIDS). By acting now, we will make the most of this opportunity and the economic benefits it brings.

Fostering the industries that will propel Queensland into a prosperous, decarbonised future

Decarbonisation brings with it economic and industrial opportunity, as well as environmental benefits. Our ambitious targets of 50% renewable energy by 2030 and 80% by 2035 are not just about preserving a future for Queenslanders but making that future as bright as possible.

The Queensland Government is proactively developing the industries that will be in demand as the world decarbonises.

These priority areas include:

• Renewable energy manufacturing and infrastructure development
• Critical mineral processing, development and product development
• Battery industry development
• Green hydrogen
• Circular economy, including resource recovery
• Bioeconomy, including biofuels and sustainable aviation fuels.

QNIDS outlines the Queensland Government’s plan to foster these industries over the coming decades.

These industries have the most potential to drive Queensland’s economy forward by using the state’s traditional strengths to capitalise on global trends. We know that investing in these industries now will create good jobs for Queenslanders for generations to come.

We are also supporting existing industries in Queensland to transition to become decarbonised businesses, ensuring their sustainability in an international environment that will demand it of their suppliers.

Queensland – a decarbonisation dream destination

There is a little bit of luck involved in our ability to reach our ambitious decarbonisation goals; we have abundant natural assets, including critical minerals as well as solar and wind resources. We also have world-class ports, long-standing trade partnerships and proximity to Asian markets, and the Queensland Government owns our energy assets, water resources and port infrastructure.

QNIDS is the strategy that will help us use these assets to their full potential. Through this work, Queensland is strongly positioned to seize the opportunity that decarbonisation brings to the global economy.

Learn more about QNIDS

We have created the QNIDS because we know that Queensland’s next wave of economic growth will come from seizing the opportunities that decarbonisation brings.

This strategy shows the path forward for the emerging industries we’re fostering in Queensland and for existing industries that will benefit from taking up the challenge to decarbonise.

More information about QNIDS can be found on the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning website.