The 2024 AIEN Bioeconomy Conference marked a pivotal moment for Australia’s low-carbon future. Across two days in Newcastle, one message came through clearly: if we are serious about decarbonising the most carbon-intensive sectors of our economy – beyond just power generation – we must think in terms of a Bioeconomy, not just bioenergy.
To carry that message forward, AIEN is launching a four-part essay series featuring contributors from the 2024 conference. These short reflections will explore key themes raised in the discussions and panels, with a focus on practical, scalable actions and the pathways needed to educate stakeholders, share the message, and turn strategy into industry.
The series will run from December 2025 through March 2026, with a new essay released on the second Thursday of each month, building momentum as we head toward the next AIEN Bioeconomy Conference in September 2026.
We open the series with Mark Glover, whose paper will draw a critical distinction: that bioenergy is just one part of the broader Bioeconomy. His contribution helps frame the importance of thinking beyond thermal conversion – to include materials, chemicals, bio-products, and the circular systems needed to integrate them.
Together, these essays are intended to challenge, clarify, and inspire. They reflect AIEN’s commitment to thought leadership and sector-building, and our belief that the bioeconomy represents a national industrial opportunity – not merely a niche alternative. While some essays may be provocative, their purpose is to spark discussion and invite new perspectives. The views expressed are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of AIEN.
Click the link below to subscribe to ensure you receive each paper in the Essays on the Bioeconomy series as it’s released, the first paper, lands on Thursday 11 December, please like and share on Linked in to ensure interested stakeholders don’t miss out.
If you attended the 2024 AIEN Bioeconomy Conference and believe you have a perspective worth sharing in a future essay, we’d love to hear from you. Please email us at info@aien.com.au.