Sustainable food and fuel

We are tackling an unprecedented global environmental challenge: providing nutritious food for a growing population in a warming world, while protecting biodiversity and natural resources.

Our researchers are working on the scientific breakthroughs needed to develop crops that are resilient to changing environmental conditions, have enhanced pest and disease resistance, require reduced inputs such as water and fertiliser, and have better quality nutrient composition.

For the bioeconomy to develop and grow we require new technology for converting abundant agricultural crops and forest materials into useful products, while maintaining ecosystem services from these landscapes. 

We're using modern genomic technologies for fast-track breeding novel and traditional crops for producing fuel, food, materials and chemicals.

We also analyse the impacts of bio-derived products including ecological impacts of biofuels and oil palm plantations. We're developing new varieties of plants and microbes for sustainably manufacturing pharmaceuticals, chemicals and fuels.