Carbon Farming Initiative gives boost to bioenergy development

Bioenergy generates approximately 1 per cent of Australia's electricity per year. This compares to around 11% of the world's total energy coming from bioenergy.

The introduction of the Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) may boost bioenergy development in Australia, particularly in the waste-to-energy sector.

The Australian waste sector produces around 15 million tonnes of carbon pollution annually, equivalent to 3 per cent of the country's total emissions. Industry groups have welcomed the CFI and hope it will encourage the uptake of waste-to-energy technology in Australia. Globally, the waste-to-energy technology market is predicted to grow exponentially over the coming decade from $6.2 billion in 2012 to $29.2 billion by 2022.