A new Climate Council report has found the Federal Government is not only failing to lead on the transition to renewable energy, it is obstructing the rollout of renewable energy at a state and territory level.

“The Federal Government has gone out of its way to attack states that are working to increase the uptake of renewable energy,” said energy expert and Climate Councillor Greg Bourne.

“The lack of effective national energy policy has undermined investor confidence in renewable energy. New renewable supply is the best way to get down electricity prices and emissions. Without a consistent and stable policy environment the Federal government is undermining the future pipeline of Australian projects,” said Mr Bourne. 

The report, “State of Play: Renewable Energy Leaders and Losers”, also compares the states and territories and rates them on their progress transitioning to renewables. South Australia is the 2019 winner, with the ACT and Tasmania hot on its heels.

“South Australia is a global leader in transitioning to a grid with a high share of wind and solar PV energy,” said Climate Councillor and energy expert Andrew Stock.

Report Key Findings

• South Australia now generates over half of its electricity from wind and solar and is aiming for net 100 percent renewable energy in the 2030s.
• The ACT is on track to achieve 100 percent renewable energy on January 1, 2020. This is a remarkable achievement and makes the ACT just the 8th jurisdiction in the world with a population above 100,000 to achieve 100 percent renewable electricity.
• Victoria and Queensland are making good progress on the transition to renewable energy, but will need to work hard to catch the frontrunners.
• NSW and WA are the only states without a renewable energy target, while the Northern Territory ranks last or near the bottom on most other metrics.

“States and territories are driving the transition to a renewable energy future, in the face of the Federal Government’s lack of leadership. As a result, several states and territories have declared the intention to go it alone on renewable energy policy,” said Mr Bourne.

“It is time for all states and territories to create their own forums for coordination and move on without the Federal Government,” he said. 

“Climate change is hurting Australians and their calls for climate action are growing louder. We have a terrible trifecta of bushfires, heatwaves and drought and they are all being made worse by climate change,” said Mr Stock.

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For more information please contact Senior Communications Advisor, Lisa Upton on 0438 972 260 or Communications Officer, Brianna Hudson on 0455 238 875. 

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