Environment Victoria today applauded the strong progress Victoria has made transforming the electricity grid from dirty coal and gas to 40% now powered by renewable energy backed by storage.
However, despite the strong pipeline of projects to get us to net zero by 2045, we need to ensure that fast-tracking policies protect nature, communities and First Nations interests.
Australia’s leading environment groups have come together to release a new report tracking states and territories’ progress towards electricity decarbonisation, finding that protecting nature and improved regional planning are the missing link to accelerating Australia’s renewable energy rollout.
The report, States of Transition, prepared by Common Capital, finds that planned renewable energy projects currently in the pipeline could meet 2030 renewable energy targets by up to 5 times in some jurisdictions, but stronger nature and community protections are vital for public confidence and to ensure the best projects get built.
The good news out of the report is that Australia currently has a healthy supply of renewable energy projects in train to meet our nation’s energy goals. However, not all proposals are viable and the report finds that progress is being held back by inadequate planning, lack of community clarity around the rollout of renewables and public concern on nature impacts.
The States of Transition report identifies the need for strong regional strategies to safeguard high-level conservation areas and restore degraded habitat.
In Victoria, the draft Victorian Transmission Plan and the recently-released Handbook for the development of renewable energy in Victoria are steps in the right direction. However, best practice requires stronger protection and restoration of nature and better collaboration with local communities and First Nations groups.
This will ensure that the renewable energy transition can help tackle climate change and Australia’s ongoing extinction crisis. While shifting the nation off fossil fuels and powering homes and businesses with renewable energy is a long term win for both the climate and nature, restoring and not further degrading landscapes and ecosystems is equally critical.
First Nations engagement and consultation will be essential to achieving positive environmental and cultural outcomes as we transition to renewable energy in a manner consistent with the vital principles of free and prior consent and self-determination.
Environment Victoria, Senior Climate and Energy Advisor, Dr Kat Lucas-Healey:
“A decade ago Victoria had one of the dirtiest electricity grids in the world. We have come such a long way already – today, 40% of Victoria’s electricity comes from clean renewable energy. This demonstrates that strong targets and policies work.
“There is still a long way to go to reduce climate pollution down to zero. Victoria has a healthy pipeline of new wind and solar farms but they need to get built quickly so we can shut the door on dirty coal and gas.
“Renewable energy projects that genuinely protect nature and respond to local concerns have the best prospects. Initiatives such as the Development Facilitation Program need to make sure that fast-tracking does not come at the expense of best practice public consultation and environmental assessment.
“Strong regional planning strategies rely on there being proper assessments and recovery plans for endangered species. Victoria needs to fund this work and ensure that the right legislative instruments are in place and being used appropriately to protect nature.”
“There is huge potential to expand smaller-scale renewable generation and storage projects, making use of rooftops in cities and improving community energy resilience in the regions.”
James Norman, Media and Content Manager
0451291775
j.norman@environmentvictoria.org.au