Collaboration between ACF and the ACTU calls for a national plan to guide Australia's energy transition.
Enduring, credible policies on climate change and energy would create one million new Australian jobs by 2040 – one million more than the Federal Government’s current policy settings will achieve – a new report finds.
The report, Jobs in a clean energy future, is being released today by the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) and the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU).
Modelling conducted by the National Institute of Economic and Industry Research shows credible and enduring climate and energy policies can create one million new jobs and maintain a strong economy while reducing Australia’s climate pollution by 80 per cent from 2005 levels by 2040.
Almost half a million new jobs are in key infrastructure areas, including electricity, gas, water, construction and health. The remainder are spread across 10 other sectors.
Employment in construction would almost double by 2040, compared to 2015, if Australia improves the energy efficiency of buildings, boosts public transport infrastructure and builds new clean energy projects.
“Credible and enduring climate and energy policies will create one million new jobs and unlock billions in investment in clean energy and technologies – but government leadership is essential,” said ACTU President Ged Kearney.
“Investing in public transport and clean energy and making houses and workplaces more energy efficient is good for communities and good for our environment.”
“The energy transformation is already happening – retreating to the past is not an option – but the transition can be chaotic and disruptive or planned and beneficial to Australian business and workers,” said ACF CEO Kelly O’Shanassy.
“We call on the federal government to lead a national plan to move Australia to clean energy, attract investment, create jobs and help the community through the changes.”
The ACTU is Australia’s peak union body, representing almost 2 million Australian workers and their families. ACF is Australia’s national environment group and has a community of 300,000 supporters.
