SYDNEY, Oct 10, 2007 -- UPI

Australia is trying to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by capturing carbon dioxide and storing it in underground reservoirs.

The International Energy Agency says the technology could provide 15 percent to 20 percent of the total greenhouse gas cuts needed to stabilize the earth's climate, the Chicago Tribune reported Wednesday.

The newspaper said Australia leads the world in the effort, with four of the largest proposed demonstration and commercial-scale storage projects.

The biggest project, located in the Latrobe Valley, is a joint venture of Anglo American and Shell Oil. The carbon dioxide produced from turning turning brown coal into diesel fuel would be pumped 50 miles offshore into a depleting oil reservoir in the Bass Straits between the mainland and Tasmania.

The Tribune said some scientists believe the reservoir is so big it could permanently capture between 2 billion and 6 billion tons of carbon dioxide.

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