Researcher Profile: Dr Bernardo Cantone – Driving knowledge for a sustainable future
A more sustainable world depends not just on new technologies but on how we share and use knowledge. Dr Bernardo Cantone, a Postdoctoral Fellow within CSIRO’s Valuing Sustainability Future Science Platform (FSP), has been working at the intersection of research, policy, and real-world application to better manage and enhance knowledge of sustainable practices.
Bernardo’s background in the economics of science, technology, and innovation has equipped him to study how information can better guide environmental action. In his work with CSIRO, he and his team explore what they call the “Knowledge Commons”: the ways data, information, and expertise flow among businesses, government agencies, universities, and research institutes to improve sustainability outcomes.
“We look at how the creation and sharing of knowledge can be better managed across different sectors,” he explains. “Ultimately, our goal is to help decision-makers – from farmers to policymakers – make informed choices that lead to a healthier environment and stronger communities.”
Below are some of the key research projects Bernardo has led or contributed to between 2022 and 2025.
1. How carbon pricing fuels green innovation
Bernardo’s first major study at CSIRO investigated the relationship between the carbon price – which companies pay for the right to release greenhouse gases – and the development of low-carbon technologies. Using the European Union’s carbon pricing system as a case study, his team found that higher carbon prices predict higher levels of patenting in these technologies.
Published in Nature Scientific Reports, this research supports the theory that carbon pricing can do more than reduce emissions; it can spark innovative ideas that help tackle climate change.
2. Knowledge sharing in carbon farming
Another focus of Bernardo’s work involves carbon farming, which rewards landowners for managing their land to capture and store carbon. In Australia, one popular approach is known as human-induced regeneration (HIR), where land is actively restored to encourage natural regrowth.
Bernardo’s study, published in Global Environmental Change, used spatiotemporal data (data linked to specific locations and times) to show how new HIR projects often cluster around existing ones. This pattern suggests that when landowners see carbon farming in action and learn from their neighbours, they are more likely to adopt it themselves. Such findings underscore the potential importance of peer networks and community knowledge-sharing in spreading sustainable land management practices.
“Our work on carbon farming is useful for both industry and government,” says Bernardo. “If we understand what encourages or slows adoption, we can design better policies and programs to expand carbon farming while supporting local communities.”
3. Exploring the employment effects of carbon farming
Bernardo’s team is also studying how carbon farming influences employment in regional Australia. Using detailed spatiotemporal data on regional employment and HIR activity, the team is investigating whether the uptake of HIR – which entails reductions in agricultural production and employment – predicts declining employment in nearby regional population centres.
The aim is to better understand the potential flow-on effects of carbon farming on regional communities, helping policymakers to develop carbon farming programs that balance both social and environmental needs.
4. AI for the green energy transition
The final line of research that Bernardo and his team at CSIRO’s Data61 are exploring investigates how artificial intelligence (AI) can drive the green energy transition. By examining whether AI tools can help workers gain new skills, match them with emerging jobs, and ultimately accelerate the growth of clean energy industries, they aim to show how digital technology can foster a more inclusive and efficient path to net-zero emissions.
Bernardo is optimistic that this work will deepen our understanding of how novel technologies can advance both environmental and workforce goals. As AI evolves at lightning speed, it’s more critical than ever to design future knowledge systems that are inclusive and unbiased. Events like the Indigenous Australia Datathon 2024 in Cairns, which has already showcased innovative ideas and collaborative approaches, highlight how a blend of technical innovation, cultural awareness, and open collaboration can shape the future of sustainability.
Looking ahead
After three years at CSIRO, Bernardo’s research has shown that sharing information effectively among industries, governments, and local communities can accelerate real change. Tackling sustainability isn’t just about having the right technologies—it’s about acquiring, sharing, and managing knowledge effectively.
Robust data is crucial for these kinds of research questions, and this work has confronted the challenge of limited data head-on. By curating complex datasets creatively and finding novel ways to adapt what was available, the team addressed complex questions about knowledge systems in sustainable practices.
As he moves on to the next phase of his career, Bernardo remains committed to bridging research and practice. His work is a reminder that achieving a just and sustainable future depends on more than science alone—it also requires a willingness to learn from each other, think creatively, and act boldly.
Author – Ruth Dawkins