Advocacy

Decarbonising the economy

Australia’s abundant renewable energy resources provide the foundation to decarbonise our electricity system, reduce our reliance on fossil fuels in industry, transport and buildings through electrification, and produce new green commodities that can open up new clean export industries.

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We advocate for policies that leverage our clean energy advantage.

Backed by strong policy, net-zero aligned industries will flourish for the benefit of all Australians.Our policy and advocacy team works to improve the investment environment for the production of new green commodities and fuel switching across the economy.

DECARBONISING THE ECONOMY

The race to net zero is on

Australia, like the rest of the world, needs to urgently slash emissions and reach net zero by 2050 in order to contain the worst impacts of the climate crisis.

In the face of such a goal, there is only one sensible course of action: bold, rapid steps to decarbonise our economy and pursue new markets to underpin economic growth.

Part of our work is tracking Australia's progress to net zero emissions which you can read about on the following page:

Industry snapshot

Accelerating the deployment of generation, storage and transmission

Low-cost renewables will be the foundation of Australia's transition to a clean energy economy.

Building robust, ethical supply chains

Ethical, resilient, competitive and efficient supply chains will be crucial to ensuring the transition to renewables is successful and can happen in the required timeframe.

Electrification of buildings and transport

Electrification of homes, businesses, industry and transport, underpinned by renewable energy and storage, is the path forward that Australia needs to be focused on.

Minimising environmental and biodiversity impacts

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector is critical for the health of the planet, and as we build out the next generation of clean energy infrastructure, it’s important that we work to minimise any other environmental impacts associated with this new development, and that the industry contributes to national efforts towards 'nature positive' outcomes.

Decarbonising heavy industries

Energy efficiency, electrification, emerging renewable fuels and energy storage technologies will be important solutions in decarbonising heavy industries currently reliant on fossil fuels for powering plants and industrial processes.

EXPLAINER

Response to the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)

The introduction of the landmark Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in the United States in August 2022 signalled the beginning of a ‘clean energy arms race’ around the world, and the adoption of much more ambitious and generous investment policies in many key international markets.

Our Power Playbook, released in October 2023, analysed the challenges and priorities for clean energy investment, and provided recommendations for how we can accelerate Australia’s clean energy transformation and take advantage of the immense opportunities before us.

09 Oct 2023

Clean Energy Council Releases Power Playbook

Read our 45 recommendations to the Federal Government to ensure Australia achieves its ambition of becoming a renewable energy superpower.

Find out more

The majority of our policy work is developed with members in our directorates, with working groups and committees tackling specific challenges.

Members can log in to read more and join this exciting Directorate leading the charge to decarbonise Australia's economy and accelerate the clean energy transition.

Join the Renewable Hydrogen and Decarbonisation Directorate

POLICY AND ADVOCACY

Meet the Director

Anna Freeman Policy Director, Decarbonisation

“Australia has an immense opportunity to leverage its formidable renewable energy resources to deliver low-cost clean energy for Australians and the world, and usher in a new era of low-emissions economic development. We should grasp it with both hands.”

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As a member of the Clean Energy Council you can join our directorates and working groups, and add your voice to about 1,000 other members shaping the direction of the clean energy industry. Together, we can accelerate the energy transition and bring the benefits of renewables to all Australians.

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