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Exploring Key Actions and Policy Directions Post-Forum

At the Better Futures Forum (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)

Contributors: Michele O’Neil (ACTU), Brendan French (Energy Consumers Australia), Hon. Reece Whitby (WA Government), Asha Ramzan (Sydney Community Forum/Voices for Power), Kate Minter (Rewiring Australia), Miriam Lyons (The Sunrise Project), Jorge Chapa (Green Building Council of Australia), and Luke Menzel (Energy Efficiency Council)

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)

Contributors: Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds (City of Hobart), Hon. Kristy McBain (Australian Parliament), Hon. Andrew Barr (ACT Government), Cr Linda Scott (Australian Local Government Association), Michelle Isles (Climate and Health Alliance), and Imogen Jubb (Ironbark Sustainability)

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)

Contributors: Heidi Lee and Beth Mitchell (BZE), Madie Sturgess and Chantelle Johns (Original Power), Caleb Adams (E&P Financial Group), Alice Lang (5B), Brad Hopkins (AEMO Services), Katherine Trebeck (The Next Economy)

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)

Contributors: Frank Jotzo and Emma Aisbett (ANU), Michael Battaglia (CSIRO), Rebecca Jinks (Taronga Ventures), Simon Holmes à Court (The Superpower Institute), and Natalie Unterstell (Talanoa Institute)

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)

Contributors: Karen Hussey (DCCEEW), Paul Mattiazzi (Climate Change Authority), Sarah Stevens (Gulf Savannah NRM), Jeremy Mansfield (Green Cross Australia), and Kathryn Andrews (NRM Regions Australia)

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)

Contributors: Mayor Mathew Dickerson (Dubbo Regional Council), Clara Wilson (Stromlo Energy)

7. Co-Hosting a Positive Oceania COP31

  • Recommendations:
    • Adopt a participatory approach in shaping Australia’s climate leadership on the world stage, rooted in Oceania-led solutions for phasing out fossil fuels and promoting collaborative climate action across the region.
    • Ensure an inclusive, fair transition that centres and amplifies the voices of First Nations and marginalised communities, particularly those most affected by climate impacts.
    • Emphasise healing processes for historical and ongoing injustices, with climate solutions grounded in community well-being, traditional knowledge, and cultural resilience.

Discussion contributors: Alopi Latukefu (Edmund Rice Centre), Thelma Raman (The Climate Reality Project), Tishiko King (She Changes Climate), George Carter (ANU), Siale Ilolahia (Pacific Islands Association of NGOs), Tanya Afu (Solomon Islands Climate Action Network), Rikki Dank (Gudanji for Country), Kesaya Baba (WWF), Ray Minniecon (Indigenous Peoples' Organization-Australia), and Natalie Unterstell (Talanoa Institute)

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

  • 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.
  • 2025 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.
  • Australia’s 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC): We will advocate for a stronger, updated national climate target (due to the UN in February 2025) 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, First Nations, investors, research institutions, unions, civil society organisations, 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!

We extend our gratitude to the panelists and discussion leads (we could not list them all above) whose insights and expertise informed the set of advocacy priorities above. Their contributions are pivotal in shaping our engagement for a resilient, zero-emissions and better future in Australia.

Thank you to our 2024 Better Futures Forum Sponsors: