2015-11-22
On the eve of global climate negotiations kicking off in Paris, the Australian Greens have today released their detailed plan ensure that by 2030 Australia's energy generation is at least 90% renewable and twice as efficient. A new government authority called RenewAustralia would deliver a 15 year pipeline of clean energy projects through a combination of reverse auctions and direct investment.
"Today the Greens unveil RenewAustralia - our plan to power the new economy and create thousands of jobs ," said Australian Greens Leader, Dr Richard Di Natale.
"Transitioning to clean energy is the key to unlocking Australia's economic potential and combating global warming. While both Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten talk about tackling climate change, they have locked us into the industries of the last century, supporting coal and vested interests.
"Charting a course for a more confident, prosperous and healthy Australia needs much more than empty rhetoric, it needs real leadership. RenewAustralia is not just an ambitious vision for our country, it's the blueprint for making it happen," said Senator Di Natale.
Australian Greens Deputy Leader and spokesperson for Climate Change, Larissa Waters said that if Australia takes the threat of global warming seriously we must transform our energy system.
"Powering our economy with clean, renewable energy is not just an opportunity, it's a necessity," said Senator Waters.
"Australia can and must transform one of the dirtiest energy systems in the world to one of the cleanest, to safeguard our iconic assets like the Great Barrier Reef and our very way of life from dangerous global warming.
"Malcolm Turnbull doesn't deserve to be applauded simply for not being Tony Abbott. If Malcolm Turnbull doesn't take anything stronger to the UN Climate Summit than Tony Abbott's pathetic emissions targets then it will be a disastrous failure of leadership," said Senator Waters.
Australian Greens spokesperson on Treasury, Energy and Industry, Adam Bandt MP said you can't run a 21st century economy on 19th century energy infrastructure.
"RenewAustralia will power the new economy by bringing down the cost of electricity for 21st century industry and households, creating sustainable jobs," said Mr Bandt.
"Australia can become a new energy superpower.
"The Greens want to 'power up' the country, so RenewAustralia will increase our overall electricity production by about 50% and help double our energy efficiency by 2030. This will mean more jobs in the electricity sector and more jobs in new industries looking for cheaper, clean power.
"Government will deliver major new clean energy projects where the sun shines, the wind blows and the waves pound by working with industry and the community through a combination of reverse auctions and direct investment.
"By setting tough pollution standards RenewAustralia will enable the gradual, staged closure of coal-fired power stations as renewable energy capacity increases. Communities and workers will be supported through the transition with the assistance of a well-resourced fund," Mr Bandt said.
More information at RenewAustralia.org.au.