Blue Carbon CEO to Showcase Queensland Innovation at World Expo 2025 Osaka

Brisbane-based climate technology pioneer Dr. Ana Novak to highlight Australia-Japan partnerships

MEDIA RELEASE

OSAKA, JAPAN  1 October, 2025 – Dr. Ana Novak, CEO and co-founder of Brisbane-based climate technology company Blue Carbon, will address an exclusive Queensland-Japan sustainability forum tomorrow at the Australia Pavilion during World Expo 2025 Osaka, highlighting ground-breaking ocean restoration technology that aligns with both nations’ net-zero ambitions.

The event, titled “Queensland and Japan – Building a Sustainable Tomorrow,” brings together leading experts across multiple sectors, including blue carbon and marine ecosystem restoration.

Dr. Novak will present Blue Carbon’s world-first oPod™ technology system that provides practical solutions for aquaculture, desalination, and coral reef protection.

The presentation comes as Japan launches major initiatives to harness marine ecosystems for carbon removal, positioning ocean-based solutions as critical to achieving national climate goals. 

“This is a unique moment for Australia-Japan collaboration on ocean climate solutions,” said Dr. Novak, whose company has earned double nomination for the 2025 Earthshot Prize and has been nominated for the XPRIZE Water Scarcity. “Japan’s commitment to blue carbon innovation perfectly aligns with Queensland’s strengths in marine technology and our shared recognition that the ocean holds the key to meaningful climate action.”

Strategic Partnership Alignment

Japan’s Environment Ministry has committed to dramatically scaling marine CO₂ capture from just 34 tonnes in fiscal 2023 to 1 million tonnes by fiscal 2035 and 2 million tonnes by fiscal 2040, representing a strategic shift from declining forest-based carbon absorption to ocean-based solutions. 

Blue Carbon’s oPod™ technology directly addresses this opportunity by enhancing the ocean’s natural biological carbon pump through artificial upwelling. 

Queensland’s Global Marine Technology Leadership

The presentation reinforces Queensland’s emergence as a global hub for marine climate technology, supported by the state’s new Queensland-Japan Trade and Investment Strategy 2025-2028 with $18 million investment over four years. The strategy prioritises expanding clean technology partnerships and research collaboration between the regions.

For the year ending May 2025, Japan was Queensland’s second-largest goods export market, with total exports valued at $14.4 billion, demonstrating the strong foundation for expanding technological cooperation.

Blue Carbon’s Technology in Japan Context

Dr. Novak’s presentation will outline specific applications relevant to Japanese marine industries:

• Aquaculture Enhancement: Providing cold, oxygenated water for offshore fish farming without diesel-powered systems, addressing Japan’s sustainable seafood production goals.
• Coral and Marine Ecosystem Protection: Cooling water delivery to protect valuable marine tourism and ecosystem areas, similar to Great Barrier Reef applications.
• Desalination Support: Silent, emission-free brine dispersion and renewable seawater intake for Japan’s water security infrastructure.
• Marine Carbon Removal: Measurable CO₂ sequestration with comprehensive monitoring, reporting, and verification systems for carbon credit generation.
• Event Details

The “Queensland and Japan – Building a Sustainable Tomorrow” event takes place Thursday, October 2, 2025, from 3:00-5:00 PM at the Umi Room, Australia Pavilion, World Expo 2025 Osaka. The forum explores synergies between Queensland’s capabilities in clean technologies and nature-based solutions with Japan’s sustainability goals and investment opportunities.

About Blue Carbon

Founded in 2022, Blue Carbon is a Brisbane-based climate technology company led by CEO Dr. Ana Novak, a Eureka Prize finalist in data science with extensive defence and academic background. The company has developed the world’s first commercial artificial upwelling technology through its oPod™ system – wave-powered ocean pumps that restore marine ecosystems while capturing carbon and supporting sustainable marine industries.

Blue Carbon has partnerships with CSIRO, James Cook University, Australian Institute of Marine Science, and Hong Kong Carbon Trading Centre, among others. The company is preparing for commercial deployment across Australia and international markets in 2025-2026.

About World Expo 2025 Osaka

World Expo 2025 Osaka runs from April 13 to October 13, 2025, under the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.” The Australia Pavilion, themed “Chasing the Sun,” showcases Australian innovation, culture, and sustainability leadership through immersive experiences celebrating the nation’s natural environment and technological capabilities.

Find out more about the oPod system here.