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INNOVATION IN PRACTICE
An electrified crop sprayer drone (VoloDrone) developed by John Deere and Volocopter (Supplied: John Deere).
Investors are expecting a four to five-year transition period, followed by a rapid uptake of new energy technology in the sector. This project has involved significant regional and industry consultation, including with other diesel-reliant industries such as mining and freight. The report considers what farmers, fish- eries and foresters’ current and future needs are, and the intersection with the specific re- gions in which they operate.
environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) frameworks and in- corporate into sustainability linked loan products for producers. Today, early adopters in agriculture, fisheries and forestry, and other sectors such as road freight, are taking action. Homegrown hybrid solutions are being trialled and professional retrofitting enterprises are serving the early adopter market.
Case study: AdBlue shortage of 2022 In December 2021, Australia faced a supply chain crisis with the national inventory of AdBlue being depleted to critically low levels. AdBlue is a selective catalytic reduction additive that is used in diesel vehicles to break down harmful nitrogen oxides. To meet Australian emissions standards, modern diesel vehicles require the additive. This limitation extends to diesel-run tractors and irrigation pumps. The AdBlue shortage was driven by a scarcity of synthesised urea – a critical component of the fuel additive. Urea is typically imported from Russia and China. Rising fertiliser costs prompted China, the largest producer of urea and supplier of 80 per cent of Australia’s urea stock, to halt exports of the commodity. This caused scarcity of AdBlue and rapid price inflation. The short- age risked a standstill in Australia’s freight and agricultural industries. The crisis was mitigated through a deal with Indonesia to supply Australia with urea, as well as $30 million in financial support provided to Queensland urea producer Incitec Pivot to increase domestic production.
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