Helping Australia to seize the extraordinary economic opportunities of the post–carbon world
Ross Garnaut
Director
Rod Sims
Chair
Reports
A Green Iron Plan for Australia: Securing prosperity in a decarbonising world
Australia is uniquely positioned to become a world leader in green iron production. With soundly based policy settings and timely action, this opportunity can underpin prosperity for generations.
The New Energy Trade: Harnessing Australian renewables for global development
World-first analysis of the superpower trade finds Australia could contribute up to 9.6% of the world's emissions reductions while generating six to eight times larger revenues than those typical from Australian fossil fuel exports.
Recent Updates
Reframing the Australia–Japan energy relationship
New analysis argues flexible cooperation can help both countries manage net-zero uncertainty.
Listen—Could we really become a superpower?
The Whyalla steelworks might be the best place in the world to make low-cost green iron. Will Labor seize the moment?
Green Aluminium Production Credit Design
There’s more to high cost of energy than the green transition
Accelerating ESG demands in critical minerals, renewable energy and green metals
Watch—Close of Business: Why Australia needs a carbon price
TSI welcomes WA focus on green steel
We have more renewable energy than ever before. Why are we switching it off?
Osaka Expo: Australian Green Metals Showcase
Now is the time for a price on carbon
The Superpower Institute’s mission is to position Australia as a global leader in the post-carbon economy.
By harnessing the nation's abundant natural resources and mineral wealth, Australia can achieve economic prosperity and significantly reduce global emissions through the development and export of green, energy-intensive commodities.
If this opportunity is seized, we foresee a period of economic growth that surpasses the mining era, characterised by real wage growth, full employment, and a foundation for inclusive, multigenerational economic growth that will benefit communities across the nation.
Open Data Projects
Ensuring an effective transition to a zero-carbon economy requires transparent and accessible energy and emissions data. Committed to this necessity, the Superpower Institute developed the Open Accessible Auditable Data (OAAD) framework.
Tracking Australia's electricity transition
Open Electricity enhances public access to National Electricity Market (NEM) and Wholesale Electricity Market (WEM) data, aiming to improve energy literacy and facilitate informed discussions on Australia’s energy transition for the long-term benefit of consumers.
Measuring Australia’s methane emissions
Open Methane is a free, open-source platform for detecting, measuring and locating Australia’s methane emissions. Utilising satellite observations and environmental modelling, it provides an up-to-date, content-scale view of methane emissions across Australia.
The Superpower book series
The Superpower series by Ross Garnaut explores Australia’s potential to lead the zero-carbon transition, combining visionary roadmaps with practical plans to harness renewable energy, turning climate action into economic advantage and positioning Australia as a green export superpower.