RE-Alliance supports Australia’s ambition to become a net zero economy. Our path to net zero should align with the Paris Agreement, based on science, that recognises the major risks of global warming beyond 1.5°C. Australia’s target to deliver net zero by 2050 is an outworking of the 82% renewable energy target by 2030. We know this target is achievable, but currently at risk because of insufficient attention on and investment in building community engagement early
and developing a path to social licence.
Thus, we welcome and support the package of legislation to establish the new Net Zero Economy Authority (NZEA) to ensure workers, industries and communities in Australia’s traditional energy regions can seize the opportunities of Australia’s net zero transformation.
Key recommendations for the NZEA remit & legislative package:
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Ensure the Authority’s remit extends to all transitions, including all Renewable Energy Zones
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Ensure the Authority is set up to support all energy transition regions to benefit from a just and fast shift to renewable energy
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Conduct workforce development across all energy transition regions, not just the regions exiting fossil fuels
- Use the NZEA capacity and investment function to coordinate and address transition-related impacts to social & public infrastructure while enabling beneficial, strategic legacies