The Australian government has announced plans to create a Net Zero Authority to lead the country’s transition to net-zero emissions. The Authority will guide the economic transformation needed to achieve Australia’s climate goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 43% by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. It will work to coordinate efforts across industries, investors, and communities to achieve a sustainable, low-carbon economy, with a focus on creating opportunities for clean energy industries.
The Authority will also be responsible for supporting workers to reskill and adapt to the changing energy landscape. It will work with regions and communities to attract new clean energy industries and support the development of clean energy projects. The government aims to establish the Authority through legislation, but in the interim, it will recommend the establishment of an interim agency within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet to develop advice and consult with stakeholders on the final design of the Net Zero Authority.
The creation of the Net Zero Authority is part of Australia’s efforts to capitalize on the opportunities presented by the global transition to cleaner energy systems and industries, as major economies worldwide unveil massive energy transition investment plans. The Authority’s focus on reskilling workers and supporting the growth of new clean energy industries reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring a just and equitable transition to a low-carbon economy.
While the government plans to legislate the new Authority, an interim agency will be established from July 1, 2023, to develop advice and consult with stakeholders on the final design of the Net Zero Authority. The agency will be led by an independent chair and supported by an advisory board.
“The role of our National Net Zero Authority will be to find the barriers to job creation in our regions, and knock those barriers over.
“It will be to help workers determine the skills they need to get the new jobs being created and to help them get those skills.”
Chris Bowen, Australia’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy
In a statement announcing the plans for the new authority, the Prime Minister’s Office said:
“The shift to net zero emissions by 2050 must happen fairly for Australians in emissions-intensive industries and the communities they live and work in.
“The regions that have always powered Australia can power Australia into the future, but we need to seize those opportunities. This Authority is about leaving no-one behind as this global shift continues.”