Who we are

We are investors in technologies critical to reducing carbon emissions from industry and meeting our international climate commitments.

Our role

The road to creating clean, reliable, affordable and flexible energy comes from innovation and technology. There is no one solution. Progress can come from anywhere.

Low emission technology, working alongside renewables, has a direct role to play in creating new low and zero emission energy, as well as reducing emissions from industry.

Low emission technology doesn’t discriminate against where carbon comes from. It is just designed to deal with emissions so we can reach a net-zero future.

We need new ways to remove carbon from industries and processes to deliver and sustain a clean energy future. Australia can play a leading role in this global transition.

Our history

Until recently, Low Emission Technology Australia (LETA) was called COAL21. We changed our name because LETA much better reflects what we do, which is invest in technologies that significantly reduce carbon emissions.

Since 2006, Australia’s black coal producers have committed $550 million to identify, research and develop technologies that can make a real difference to how we produce energy, steel and other materials so that the carbon dioxide can be captured and permanently stored, prevented, or reused in other applications.

As LETA, we will continue this important work.

How we work

LETA works with like-minded organisations towards reducing industrial emissions and heading to a net-zero carbon emissions future.

We partner with governments in Australia and abroad, internationally renowned research centres such as the CO2CRC, and research organisations such as the CSIRO.

Since 2006, LETA has worked with resource companies on low emission technology, for example Glencore’s Carbon Transport and Storage Company (CTSCo) Project in Queensland.

LETA is supported by a voluntary levy on coal production and includes 26 investors from among Australia’s black coal producers.

Our leadership

Mark Jacobs - Chair

In addition to being the Chair of Low Emission Technology Australia, Mark Jacobs is a well-respected resources sector professional who brings a proven track record of securing major developments across a number of Australian jurisdictions.

Beyond his role as LETA Chair, Mark is the Executive General Manager of Environment & External Affairs at Yancoal Australia. Under Mark's leadership, Yancoal has witnessed the successful execution of some of its most significant approval and modification projects in recent years, including the Moolarben Stage 2 expansion, the Stratford Extension Project, the Austar Bellbird South longwalls, and the Cameby Downs Expansion project.

Mark was formerly General Manager (Environment & Community Relations) at Gloucester Coal before it was acquired by Yancoal in 2012. Prior to his work in the resources industry, Mark was the Development Director at one of Australia’s leading property groups, Charter Hall, for over 12 years. Mark holds a Bachelor of Science (Eng), Civil Engineering from the University of Witwatersrand, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Sydney and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

With his combined experience in the resources and property sectors, Mark’s expertise and leadership as Chair ensures LETA can continue to work towards a strong future for low emission technology in Australia.

Mark McCallum - Chief Executive Officer

Mark is an experienced advocate and communicator on resources and energy issues.

Prior to joining LETA he was Managing Director of a public relations and communications agency with clients in the resources and energy sectors. Previous roles also include Australian Head of Government Relations with Shell and the Deputy Chief Executive of APPEA — Australia’s peak oil and gas industry association. Mark has also held roles as a senior manager in resource industry representative bodies and as an advisor to the Federal Government.

Mark has a Masters of Environmental Law (ANU), Bachelor of Science (ANU), and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.