Over 300,000 jobs could be created if Australia moves to zero emissions, new report shows

Beyond Zero Emissions says industry investment in clean projects could help position Australia as a renewable energy superpower.

An aerial view of Mugga Lane Solar Park, 16km south of Canberra, Wednesday, October 30, 2019. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) NO ARCHIVING

Source: AAP

Energy storage projects, housing retrofits, zero-energy social housing and electric transport are key pillars of a plan to create close to 360,000 jobs for a five year period while reducing carbon emissions.

Beyond Zero Emissions will unveil the plan on Monday, which it says will help Australia position itself as a global renewable energy superpower.

The group says the framework will modernise industries, help to reskill workers and reduce power bills.

Beyond Zero Emissions chair Eytan Lenko says that recent figures indicating more than 830,000 jobs had been lost since March show urgent action is needed.

"We want industry, communities and investors to build on this framework to generate the best ideas and work with key partners and private capital to assist governments where possible to rebuild our economy," he said.
Co-Founder and CO-CEO of Atlassian, Mike Cannon-Brookes speaks during the National Smart Energy Summit at the Hilton Hotel in Sydney, Tuesday, December 10, 2019. (AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi) NO ARCHIVING
Co-Founder and CO-CEO of Atlassian, Mike Cannon-Brookes is one of the backers behind the jobs scheme. Source: AAP
The jobs plan is being launched with Atlassian co-chief Mike Cannon-Brookes, former Macquarie Bank and Origin Energy chair Kevin McCann, chief of First State Super Deanne Stewart and creator of the Paris agreement Christiana Figueres.

Mr Cannon-Brookes said the plan is bold but doable.

"This plan shows the way to a green - and gold - economic recovery that will set us up for decades to come," he said.

The jobs plan includes accelerating new energy transmission and storage projects so there's a surplus of cheap, clean energy.

It also looks at establishing a national housing retrofit program to help millions of low-income households slash their bills.

Beyond Zero Emissions is advocating for 150,000 zero-energy social housing builds, electrified transport infrastructure and land restoration to help ecosystems recover from bushfires.

The plan also proposes upgrading aluminium smelters so they can embrace more renewables, as well as developing "green" steel-making using hydrogen.


Share
2 min read

Published

Updated



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world