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BFF 2024 Priorities for Action and Advocacy

At the BFF 2024, we celebrated how Australian communities are leading the charge on climate action and ensuring that no one is left behind in the energy transition. Our conversations spanned sectors and regions, with a unified call for stronger federal action and support for community-driven solutions. As we head toward crucial moments like the federal budget, COP29, and an updated national climate target, these are the key areas of focus highlighted from the BFF 2024 discussions:

1. Repowering Homes and Communities

  • Budget Ask: Federal investment starting at $5 billion, scaling up to $50 billion over ten years for household clean energy upgrades—solar, batteries, electrification (Energy Bill Savings Plan, Renew Australia for All).
  • Policy Recommendations:
    • Urgent investment in subsidies and enablers for immediate home energy upgrades, targeting low-income households, renters, and social housing.
    • Long-term, 10-year investment in an all-electric and energy-efficient future for homes.
    • Ensuring fair distribution of benefits through strong protections like minimum rental standards and labor standards for workers.

Discussion leads: Katie Hepworth (ETU), Marnie Shaw (ANU), Merrily Hunter (MAC Trade Services), Helen Oakey (Renew), and Kellie Caught (ACOSS)

2. Climate Safe and Climate Ready Communities

  • Budget Ask: Increased federal funding for resilience measures, including urban cooling projects, disaster preparedness, and nature-based solutions to mitigate climate impacts. A federal adaptation package including investments in resilient infrastructure, building standards, and community-led solutions. For example:
    • $1 billion in grants over four years to improve housing resilience.
    • $2 billion annually for local governments to enhance infrastructure and climate resilience, particularly for vulnerable and Indigenous communities.
  • Policy Recommendations:
    • Prioritise climate adaptation in the finance taxonomy, using systems like the Resilient Building Council’s Resilience Ratings and Green Homes standards.
    • Update the National Construction Code to mandate climate-resilient designs and revise land-use policies to prevent construction in flood-prone areas.
    • Integrate health considerations into climate policies by promoting active transport, reducing air pollution, and improving climate-resilient housing through the National Housing and Homelessness Plan.
    • Federally funded, community-led adaptation plans, particularly with Indigenous leadership, to ensure place-based and equitable solutions.
    • Collaborate between government, industry, and communities for comprehensive policy change and investment.

Discussion Leads: Kathryn McCallum (CANA), Sharanjit Paddam (Finity Consulting), Jorge Chapa (Green Building Council of Australia), Dr. Kate Wylie (Doctors for the Environment Australia), and Amanda Sturgeon (Biomimicry Institute). 

3. Just Transitions in Green Metals and Manufacturing

  • Budget Ask: A $10 billion domestic support package to decarbonise the iron ore and steel industry, fast-tracking green iron production (Australia's Green Iron Key Report, WWF).
  • Policy Recommendations:
    • Introduce a carbon solutions levy on emissions-intensive industries.
    • Provide government support for hydrogen-based manufacturing and clean steel technologies.
    • Ensure job creation and community benefits in transitioning regions to support local economies.

Discussion leads: Jody Bruce (CSIRO), Penny Howard (Maritime Union of Australia), Tom Quinn (Springmount Advisory), Dr. Humair Nadeem and Philippa Hammond (CSIRO)

4. Clean Industries, Manufacturing & Exports

  • Budget Ask: Support for common user infrastructure for green hydrogen storage, renewable energy and transmission lines, and public private partnership to support international and domestic investment in green steel pilot projects.
  • Policy Recommendations: 
    • Expand international collaborations on green economy initiatives, like embedding emissions accounting and aligning Australia’s export opportunities with global decarbonisation efforts (eg market price signals similar to EU’s CBAM such as a carbon solutions levy and Asian CBAM).
    • Implement subsidies and tax incentives for industries transitioning to cleaner technologies, particularly green hydrogen and green steel.
    • Further government action in advancing Australia’s clean export strategies and prioritising deep bilateral and regional collaboration with key trading partners like Japan and Korea and China.

Discussion leads: Monica Richter (WWF), Elizabeth Thurbon (UNSW), Baethan Mullen (Superpower Institute), Jorrit Gosens (ANU), Warren Flentje (CSIRO), Emma Aisbett (ANU)

5. Nature and Land Use Tradeoffs

  • Budget Ask: $7.3 billion annually for 30 years to restore ecosystems and integrate land management with biodiversity and climate resilience efforts (Blueprint to Repair Australia's Landscapes, Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists).
  • Policy Recommendations:
    • Support First Nations-led land management programs, including traditional fire management practices and land back initiatives.
    • Include nature-based solutions in national climate strategies, integrating these with biodiversity conservation efforts.
    • Adopt policies that integrate land use planning with climate and biodiversity goals, avoiding monoculture carbon plantations.
    • Support long-term investments in ecosystem restoration and funding for landcare and natural resource management groups.

Discussion leads: Tracie Armstrong (Climateworks Centre), Rikki Dank (Gudanji for Country), Debbie Medaris (Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists), Jacqui Bell (The Next Economy), Diana Partridge (Healthy Land & Waters)

6. Building an Inclusive & Clean Energy Workforce

  • Budget Ask: Funding to support retraining and education programs for marginalised workers, with a particular focus on Indigenous communities and low-income workers.
  • Policy Recommendations:
    • Mandate procurement policies that require minimum levels of Indigenous and multicultural participation in clean energy projects.
    • Establish minimum employment targets for underrepresented groups and invest in apprenticeships and cadet programs.
    • Tailor retraining and employment programs to regional needs, recognising the unique challenges faced by communities transitioning from fossil fuel industries.
    • Support government and industry partnerships to boost clean energy workforce participation and address skill shortages in sectors like energy infrastructure and renewables.

Discussion leads: Amanda Cahill and Saideh Kent (The Next Economy), Andrew Bray (ReAlliance), Wesa Chau (Multicultural Leadership Initiative), Dr. Karina Davis (Jobsbank), Elianor Gerrard (Clean Energy Council)

 

These priorities will guide our ongoing advocacy efforts as we prepare for key moments ahead:

  • October 2024 Pre-Budget Submissions: We will incorporate these budget asks and policy recommendations into submissions to ensure the federal government allocates the necessary funding to deliver urgent and meaningful action on climate.
  • COP29 in November: We will continue to push for Australia’s climate leadership on the global stage by advocating for 1.5°C-aligned climate targets and ambitious policies that ensure we are doing our fair share and Australian businesses don't get left behind.
  • Australia’s 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC): We will advocate for a stronger, updated national climate target that reflects the urgency of the climate crisis and aligns with global efforts to keep warming below 1.5°C.

We remain committed to working with government, business, civil society, and community leaders to ensure that Australia’s climate strategy is ambitious, inclusive, and ensures a fair transition for all. Stay tuned for ways to get involved and help shape a better future!

 

Thank you to our 2024 Better Futures Forum Sponsors: