The peak body for the clean energy sector has welcomed the final report of the Senate Select Committee Inquiry into Information Integrity on Climate Change and Energy released yesterday, saying it underscores the serious impact that mis and disinformation is having on Australia’s energy system - stalling investment, undermining public confidence and delivery of the economic benefits of clean energy, at a time when energy security has never been more important.
The Clean Energy Council (CEC) gave evidence at the Senate Inquiry hearing late last year and says its members continue to report the enduring real-world consequences of misinformation, and its impact on local communities.
The final report highlights several recommendations made in the CEC’s submission, including:
- Increase resourcing for trusted, community‑level information and engagement, particularly through the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner (AEIC)- to close information gaps exploited by regional misinformation campaigns about renewable project
-Strengthen capabilities across all levels of government, civil society and research institutions, to monitor and study misinformation and disinformation, while improving transparency and elevating local voices in the renewables rollout.
The following is attributable to William Churchill, Chief Policy & Impact Officer at the Clean Energy Council:
“The spread of pernicious, false or exaggerated information about renewables at a community level has placed many farmers, landowners and energy sector workers at unacceptable risks of harm and ostracisation in the same regions where they live and work.
“Its fundamental that actors in the public square uphold a duty of care to ensure that debate is grounded in fact and most of all, respect.
“The facts are that coal is exiting the system and has reached its end of life, and clean energy is the cheapest replacement. Utilising Australia’s abundance of sun and wind, is in not only in our national interest, it makes good economic sense, creating jobs, procurement from small businesses and supporting regional councils and communities
“Scare campaigns against renewables deny thousands of regional jobs and new economic opportunities – they weaken Australia’s energy resilience at a time when global political instability has only increased the case for renewables, which is helping to shield Australia from global price shocks and deliver energy sovereignty.”
ENDS
For more information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Danielle Tricarico
Clean Energy Council General Manager - Media
Liam Straughan
Clean Energy Council Media Officer
+61 409 470 683