20 Jan 2025
WWF WELCOMES $2 BILLION INVESTMENT IN GREEN ALUMINIUM
The World Wide Fund for Nature-Australia has welcomed a plan from the federal government to support and accelerate Australia’s aluminium industry to shift to renewable energy.
Under the plan announced by the Prime Minister today, $2 billion would be set aside to pay aluminium smelters for every tonne of green aluminium they make using renewable electricity before 2036.
WWF-Australia’s Head of Regenerative Climate, Nat Burke said the plan would bring benefits to people and nature.
“The health of Australia’s environment and economy depends on a fast, ecologically-sound, and just transition to renewable energy,” said Mr Burke.
“Today’s announcement is an important step in that direction.
“It will not only reduce climate-heating emissions, but also ensure that communities in places like Tomago, Portland, Bell Bay, and Boyne Island continue to prosper in a renewable energy-powered future.”
“We look forward to working with the government to expand this support to other heavy industries that need to decarbonise, particularly in the iron and steel sector where Australian-made green iron can play a major role in regional decarbonisation.”
Mr Burke urged the federal government to complement today’s investment with demand-side incentives.
“Transforming these industries, helping our trading partners decarbonise supply chains, and securing Australia’s economic future all require this sort of up-front investment. But we also need to see demand-side incentives, such as policies to incentivise procurement of green metals, and championing the development of international carbon pricing mechanisms,” he said.