WWF WELCOMES $22 BILLION TOWARDS AUSTRALIA BECOMING A RENEWABLE ENERGY SUPERPOWER

The World Wide Fund for Nature-Australia today congratulated the Australian government on passing key “Future Made in Australia” bills which will pump more than $22 billion into renewable energy infrastructure and critical minerals.

“This is a big win and a critical step towards Australia becoming a Renewable Energy Superpower. Australia has the wind, sun, and technical know-how to transform our economy and take real action on climate change,” said WWF-Australia CEO Dermot O’Gorman.

Since 2020, through its Renewables Nation program, WWF-Australia – along with partners across the business, union, environment and community sectors – has helped Australia to harness the nation’s abundant renewable resources to accelerate the phase-out of fossil fuels from our economy and energy system.

Mr O’Gorman also commended the Government for committing $500 million to retrofit 50,000 social housing homes with energy efficient upgrades.

“The clean energy transition will deliver benefits for all Australians so that everyone can live in safe, healthy homes that are affordable to run.

“This is a smart investment in Australia's future, delivering real relief for families by slashing power bills while stepping up on climate,” he said.

While welcoming yesterday’s announcements, WWF-Australia Head of Regenerative Climate, Nat Burke, warned that the Future Made in Australia investments will only help address climate change if clean energy replaces fossil fuel exports.

“Australia is one of the world’s biggest exporters of fossil fuels which cause climate damage here and around the world,” Mr Burke said.

“A safe and stable climate can only be secured by stabilising global warming at 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels.

“The Australian Government must follow the accepted climate science and stop approving and funding new fossil fuel developments.

“This can be done in ways that unlock a stronger economy by replacing fossil fuel exports with clean manufacturing and zero carbon exports,” he said.

Mr O’Gorman urged the Government to back-up its Future Made in Australia scheme with strong, clear and consistent environmental laws.

“The climate and biodiversity crises are two sides of the same coin; we can’t solve one by exacerbating the other.”

“Australia can build the required renewable energy infrastructure in ways that are good for people, good for climate, and good for nature.

“Keeping coal-fired power longer than necessary will push up energy prices; renewables will ease cost of living pressures with cheaper energy.

“But we need the legislative and regulatory environment to ensure the right renewables are being built in the right ways, in the right places,” Mr O’Gorman said.