<
https://reneweconomy.com.au/big-renewables-need-big-support-local-energy-hubs-can-help-us-through-the-change/>
"This week, a new report highlighted strong support for the shift to renewable
energy among Australians. However, it also found that this support is
softening.
The research, conducted by Ipsos, confirmed what we already know: a climate of
rising cost of living and higher household energy bills are making support for
renewable energy fragile – even though the cause of these higher bills is
largely fossil fuel price hikes caused by the war in Ukraine.
The report also pointed out that the communications environment around climate
and the energy shift is complex and confusing. Public understanding of the
shift and the technologies involved is poor, and communication gaps are being
filled with misinformation.
Most Australians believe the shift has yet to begin, even though we’re close to
halfway there with 40% of our electricity being generated by renewable sources
– and this will double in the next decade.
The shift to renewables is complex and support is not unconditional. For those
of us living in the regional communities being asked to host new, large-scale
infrastructure – we need access to accurate information, we need quality
engagement, and we need opportunities to participate in decisions that impact
us.
The Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council (ECMC), comprising state and
territory energy ministers, recently met to discuss reforms to better support
consumers, workers, and industry in the shift to renewable energy.
They also published their response to last year’s Community Engagement Review
by the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner, acknowledging that “such
a major transformation of our energy system inevitably involves some upheaval,
and supporting communities through this change is paramount in ensuring its
success.”
It’s great the ECMC recognise the importance of community acceptance and
quality engagement, but it’s time to turn words into action."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
