Efficient recovery: putting energy efficiency at the heart of Australia’s economic recovery
The multiple benefits of energy efficiency are huge, but realising them requires rapid and decisive action from government, industry and the wider community. Acknowledging this, on Wednesday 1 July 2020, the Australian Council of Social Services, Australian Industry Group, the Energy Efficiency Council and the Property Council of Australia held a National Summit on the role of energy efficiency and Australia’s economic recovery.
Energy efficiency and Australia’s economic recovery brought together leaders from politics, business, the community sector and beyond. Together, they highlighted how we must put energy efficiency at the heart of Australia’s economic recovery.
You can watch the recordings of the National Summit here, or watch the highlights below.
The National Summit followed an unprecedented wave of energy efficiency as stimulus proposals from Australian industry, consumer and environmental groups, including:
- Building a stronger and cleaner post-pandemic Australia joint statement from leading Australian organisations – 25 May 2020
- Pivot – Rebound – Transform: A practical plan for rapidly transforming the energy management market that supports Australian industry from Ai Group and the Energy Efficiency Council – 18 June 2020
- Building efficiency for jobs and growth from ASBEC, the Energy Efficiency Council, the Green Building Council of Australia and the Property Council – 17 June 2020
- 50 plus organisations propose a smart housing installation boom to make a real difference from a huge alliance led by the Australian Council of Social Service – 19 June 2020
- Driving a pandemic recovery that addresses household energy challenges from the One Million Homes Alliance – 19 June 2020
- The Million Jobs Plan from Beyond Zero Emissions – 29 June 2020
- Energy efficiency is a machine for creating jobs - time to start it up from ACOSS, Ai Group, the Energy Efficiency Council and Property Council - 3 July 2020
In addition to detailed calls for energy efficiency as stimulus, the wider Australian and international community has thrown its hat behind the cause:
- Coronavirus: Tracking how the world’s ‘green recovery’ plans aim to cut emissions by Carbon Brief - 16 June 2020
- Recommendations of the Global Commission for Urgent Action on Energy Efficiency from the Global Commission for Urgent Action on Energy Efficiency – 22 June 2020
- World Energy Outlook Special Report on Sustainable Recovery from the International Energy Agency – 22 June 2020
- Chief scientist joins calls for Australia to dramatically boost energy efficiency by Adam Morton – 21 June 2020
- 5th Annual Global Conference on Energy Efficiency by the International Energy Agency – 23 June 2020
- Australia has failed miserably on energy efficiency – and government figures hide the truth by Hugh Saddler – 23 June 2020
- Energy Efficiency Key to Covid Recovery by Michael Liebreich – 26 June 2020
- Renovation rescue: 6 ways to ensure HomeBuilder helps consumers, the climate and the economy by John Thwaites, Michael Li and Peter Graham - 26 June 2020
Since then, industry, consumer and environmental groups have continued to call for energy efficiency as stimulus:
- Joint statement for energy efficiency stimulus in Victoria from key community service organisations, peak bodies, local governments, and climate and energy groups - 11 November 2020
FY21 energy efficiency as stimulus announcements
A series of Government announcements regarding putting energy efficiency at the heart of Australia’s economic recovery have been made during the COVID-impacted FY21 budget season:
Commonwealth Government
- Delivering cheap and reliable energy in Victoria - 22 November 2020
- Lower energy costs for dairy farmers - 2 November 2020
- Ongoing support for energy users during COVID-19 - 30 October 2020
- Energy storage project to strengthen grid reliability in NSW - 23 October 2020
ACT Government
- Delivering what we promised & driving economic recovery - 4 February 2021
NSW Government
- Powering our public schools into the future - 17 November 2020
South Australian Government
- Building a cooler future - 6 November 2020
Victorian Government
- Delivering Cheap And Reliable Energy In Victoria - 22 November 2020
- Backing Agriculture For Victoria’s Strong Future - 20 November 2020
- Helping Victorians Pay Their Power Bills - 17 November 2020
- Victoria’s Big Housing Build - 15 November 2020