MORE than 24 million jobs would be created globally and Australia’s gross domestic product would grow by 1.7% if renewable capacity were to double by 2030, a new report has found.

The report, released by the International Renewable Energy Agency, found Australia was one of the countries that stood the most to gain from higher investment in renewable energy due to the reduced health impact of coal pollution and a large increase in GDP.

Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie said the report also found that water withdrawals in 2030 could decline by more than a quarter in Australia if renewable energy capacity was to double globally on 2010 levels.

“Solar and wind energy uses up to 200 times less water than conventional power options such as coal and gas,” she said.

“An economy that is dependent on dirty, ageing and inefficient coal-fired power stations is harmful to our health, our climate and our bottom line.

“Instead, we can build a stronger, more prosperous society with energy from the wind and the sun, which never runs out and doesn’t drain our water supply like coal.

“Australia will still be one of the world’s powerhouses. But instead of trading in resources that are bad for our health and bad for our climate, we’ll be building and sharing renewable technologies that will power a healthy future and a healthy climate.”

For media enquiries, please contact Head of Communications Jessica Craven on 0400 424 559 or jess@climatecouncil.org.au