ABOUT THE EVENT

The Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) Research in Australia Symposium and Field Visit (25-26 June 2026), Cairns and Mareeba, Queensland) brings together researchers, growers, industry partners, and land managers from across Australia to advance the emerging science of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) and soil rejuvenation.

Hosted at James Cook University in collaboration with Adelaide University, TNQ Drought Hub and Carbonaught, this project and its events are supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program under the Natural Heritage Trust.

Day 1: Research Symposium, Cairns: A full-day exploration of the latest ERW research, offering a platform for knowledge exchange among established experts, early-career researchers, and industry practitioners.

Day 2: Field Visit, Mareeba: Participants and the community are invited to the Howe Farming ERW avocado trial site to see the practical application of crushed basalt on agricultural land. This innovative process accelerates natural rock weathering to capture atmospheric CO2 while improving soil health, resilience, and crop productivity.

Why this Work Matters

Australia’s transition to net zero depends on scalable, nature-based solutions. Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) offers promising potential to contribute to national climate goals while also improving agricultural productivity.

This project aims to:

• Facilitate Information Sharing: Create an interdisciplinary space for knowledge exchange between national and international researchers, growers, industry leaders, and climate practitioners.
• Foster Land Management Practice Change: Identify pathways for responsible, large‑scale ERW implementation across Australia’s diverse cropping systems.
• Support Sustainable Agriculture: Validate the benefits of ERW such as long term carbon sequestration and improved soil health for growers.