The Decarbonisation theme investigates key knowledge gaps and solutions to assess opportunities and scenarios for accelerating the transition to a net-zero economy.
The theme achieves this by providing timely, independent advice to government, industry and community decisionmakers through a variety of pathways, including government submissions, bespoke reports and consultations. The theme’s outputs are based on forward-looking, strategic research designed to equip decisionmakers with knowledge that will allow them to address tomorrow’s challenges today.
The Decarbonisation theme’s researchers have deep knowledge in a range of technical disciplines as well as extensive industry and academic networks, which they draw upon to ensure their work is cutting-edge but grounded in real-world experience.
The theme ultimately aims to help society achieve an efficient and effective energy transition by providing decisionmakers with a reliable source of research-informed, practical advice.
Theme Leaders
Associate Professor Phil Hayes
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Dr Joe Lane
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Team
Dr Julie Pearce
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Dr Sebastian Hoerning
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Iain Rodger
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Jamin Wood
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Emeritus Professor Andrew (Alf) Garnett
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Current projects
- Assessing the potential for carbon sequestration through hardwood plantations and regrowth forests
- Utilising novel Pongamia trees to decarbonise Australia’s beef value-chain
- Field trials of silvopastoral mgmt (cattle/timber co-production) in Surat basin
- Pongamia prospects: Surat Basin & Northern Australia
- Protecting aquifers in the race to net-zero carbon emissions
- Discovery: Carbon dioxide in water nanoemulsions for carbon sequestration
- Methane venting surveys and inverse modelling
2025 Publications
Potential methane emissions from aquifer and coal seam gas groundwater extraction: Effect of open and closed sampling methods and new emission factors
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Improved estimation methods for surface coal mine methane emissions for reporting, beneficial use, and emission reduction purposes and relative to Australia's safeguard mechanisms
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Insights into site evaluation for underground hydrogen storage (UHS) on gas mixing-the effects of meter-scale heterogeneity and associated reservoir characterization parameters
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Pure CO2 and impure CO2-SO2-NO-O2 reactions with carbon storage site underlying seals: coaly mudstones and carbonate cemented sandstones
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Metal mobilisation and fines migration in pure CO2 and impure CO2-SO2-NO reactions of carbon storage site core
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Previous publications
Since launching in 2013, the Centre has published over 300 journal article, book chapters, posters, conference abstracts, and presentations. You can view the complete list here.
Quantifying Methane Emissions
Learn more about the cutting-edge technology the Centre is using to identify, visualise, and quantify fugitive methane emissions. The Centre is also looking for partners from across a range of sectors to conduct independent research in using the technology.
Theme leaders
Dr Joe Lane
Senior Research Fellow
joe.lane@uq.edu.au
Associate Professor Phil Hayes
Chair of Water Resources and Gas Development
phil.hayes@uq.edu.au
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