A First Nations-led approach to Australia’s renewable energy transition
Representatives of First Nations people, community organisations, land councils, unions, academics, industry groups, technical advisors, legal experts, and renewables companies have banded together to ensure that First Nations communities share in the benefits of Australia’s renewable energy transformation. Guided by a powerful Steering Group of cultural leaders, the First Nations Clean Energy Network is working across three key pillars: Community, Industry Partnerships and Policy reform. The federal budget in October 2022 provided $105.2 million towards First Nations climate change and energy initiatives. This included: • $5.5 million to co-design a First Nations Clean Energy Strategy to enable First Nations communities to share the economic benefits from renewable energy projects, while protecting sacred sites and respecting native title • $83.8 million to develop and deploy community microgrids • $15.9 million to establish a new Torres Strait Climate Change Centre of Excellence to empower Torres Strait communities
More than 60 per cent of land in Australia falls under Indigenous tenure. Large-scale renewable projects will need to access First Nations-held land, waters and resources to proceed. More: firstnationscleanenergy.org.au We set up the First Nations Clean Energy Network because we saw all over Australia that First Nations just weren’t at the table. Many of the barriers are policy barriers which we can change. The rapid transition to renewables needs to happen with pace but also a sharp focus on ensuring First Nations heritage is protected and communities share in its economic and social benefits. Karrina Nolan Yorta Yorta descendant, Executive Director of Original Power and First Nations Clean Energy Network Steering Group member
to design and deliver local adaptation and mitigation initiatives, including through the Climate Warriors training program.
Installing solar on the Marlinja community centre in the Northern Territory’s Barkly Region. Image courtesy of First Nations Clean Energy Network.
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Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
business envoy
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