Offsetting Beetaloo Basin emissions would require unproven CCS technology, off-limits international credits, CSIRO finds

A report finding that carbon pollution from a new fracking industry in the Northern Territory could be offset relies on unproven technology and "wildly unrealistic" assumptions, according to one of Australia's most respected climate authorities. Key points: The report comes from a research arm of the CSIRO funded by the gas industry It finds that offsetting some greenhouse gas emissions from fracking in the Beetaloo Basin is technically feasible But the authors flag doubts about their technological assumptions and cost-benefit questions The report, produced by a gas industry-funded research arm of Australia's peak scientific agency, has been published almost a year behind schedule and as the NT government prepares to announce whether full-scale fracking will be allowed to go ahead. He said the report included data that reflected "the latest analysis of technologies and opportunities to offset greenhouse gas emissions within Australia, including carbon capture and storage". "Australia's oil and gas industry … is a major investor in renewables, carbon capture and storage, and other emissions reduction technologies, with billions of dollars of investments."