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NZ can be world leader in biology-based clean technology
NZ can be world leader in biology-based clean technology
Developing a world class
bio-energy industry would have big benefits for New Zealand
and drive a “virtuous circle” of innovation and growth
in line with our environmentally progressive image, says Dr
Stephen Poletti, economics lecturer at the University of
Auckland Business School.
Developing a world
class bio-energy industry would have big benefits for New
Zealand and drive a “virtuous circle” of innovation and
growth in line with our environmentally progressive image,
says Dr Stephen Poletti, economics lecturer at the
University of Auckland Business School.
Dr Poletti and business journalist Rod Oram will present the final lecture in the 2014 Vice-Chancellor’s Lecture Series this evening titled, Green Growth – New Zealand’s Future?
Dr Poletti says a number of niche markets have been identified in the bio-energy area including chemicals developed from tree bark and stumps; reinforced plastics using wood fibres; food sweeteners and bio-gases from industrial waste gases.
“It’s very hard to put firm numbers on how big these opportunities are but we have a number of reasons for optimism,” he says.
“Initial estimates are that output from the forestry sector could increase by a factor of ten with government support and the right policy regime”
Mr Oram says these are just some examples of the way global technology trends are favouring New Zealand.
“If the planet is to support 10 billion people by 2050, we will need to devise technologies that work with the ecosystem not against it. This is a radical shift from our extractive and polluting industries today.”
Concepts such as biomimicry, in which human technology draws heavily on nature, and the circular economy, in which we re-use every resource down to parts per billion may be an important part of our future.
“This is the essence of clean tecnology. To that end, biological processes will play a much bigger technological role than they do today. We’re well-placed because we have research depth in biology and it is the science we commericalise best.”
Dr Poletti holds a PhD in Mathematical Physics and his work at the University of Auckland includes research in New Zealand and Australia.
Rod Oram is an international business journalist and Sunday Star Times columnist A regular broadcaster on radio and television, he is a public speaker on business, economics, innovation and creativity both in New Zealand and in a global context.
For more
information go to www.auckland.ac.nz/vclectures
ends
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