Australian State Touts Tech in Bid to Fend Off Climate Criticism

A laggard state in the transition to cleaner energy in Australia, one of the world’s most-polluting rich nations, is hoping that highlighting technological progress will help it fend off some of the criticism of its climate policies.

Western Australia will use a conference showcasing innovation in the resources sector this week to demonstrate how the industry can help to tackle climate change. The nation’s top mining state by revenue is underlining its position as a major producer of the lithium used in batteries for electric vehicles or power storage and the iron ore needed to make the steel to build wind turbines to deflect its poor record on renewable installations.