Australia’s solar and wind resources and proximity to Asia means it can become a renewable energy superpower. But as the renewable energy rollout continues, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people must benefit.
Authors
Adam Fish
Associate Professor, School of Arts and Media, UNSW Sydney
Heidi Norman
Professor, Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture, UNSW Sydney
Renewables projects can provide income and jobs to Aboriginal land owners. Access to clean energy can also help First Nations people protect their culture and heritage, and .
This is not a new idea. Policies in the United States and Canada, for example, actively seek to ensure the energy transition delivers opportunities to Indigenous people.
The Australian government is developing a and is seeking comment on a . Submissions close tomorrow, February 9. If you feel strongly about the issue, we urge you to have your say.
We must get this policy right. Investing meaningfully in First Nations-led clean energy projects makes the transition more likely to succeed. What’s more, recognising the rights and interests of First Nations people is vital to ensuring that injustices of the past are not repeated.
Good for business, and people
Indigenous peoples have recognised land interests covering around . shows Aboriginal land holders want to be part of the energy transition. But they need support and resources.
This could take the form of federal grants to make communities more energy-efficient or less reliant on expensive, polluting diesel generators. Funding could also be spent on workforce training to ensure First Nations people have the skills to take part in the transition. Federal agencies could be funded to support grants for First Nations feasibility studies of renewable energy industry on their land.
As well as proper investment, governments must also ensure First Nations people are engaged early in the planning of renewable projects and that the practice of free prior and informed consent is followed. And renewable energy operators will also need to ensure they have capability to work with First peoples.
The – of which one author, Heidi Norman, is part – is a network of First Nations people, community organisations, land councils, unions, academics, industry groups and others. It is working to ensure First Nations communities share the benefits of the clean energy boom.
The network is among a group of organisations calling on the federal government to invest an additional A$100 billion into the Australian renewables industry. The investment should be designed to benefit all Australians, including First Nations people.
In Australia, the Albanese government has set an emissions-reduction goal of a 43% by 2030, based on 2005 levels. But Australia’s renewable energy rollout is not happening fast enough to meet this goal. Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen has faster planning decisions on renewable energy projects.
To achieve the targets, however, the federal government must bring communities along with them – including First Nations people.
As demonstrated by the US and Canada, investing in First Nations-led clean energy projects is not just equitable, it makes good business sense.
Follow the leaders
The US Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 made A$520 billion in investments to accelerate the transition to net zero. to hundreds of billions of dollars from the laws. This includes funding set aside for Tribal-specific programs.
Canada is even further ahead in this policy space. In fact, analysis First Nations, Métis and Inuit entities are partners or beneficiaries of almost 20% of Canada’s electricity-generating infrastructure, almost all of which is producing renewable energy. In one of the most recent investments, the Canadian government in 2022 invested to help launch clean energy projects.
Policymakers in increasingly realise that a just transition from fossil fuels requires addressing the priorities of First Nations communities. These investments are a starting point for building sustainable, globally competitive economies that work for everyone.
As US and Canada examples , the right scale of investment in First Nations-led projects can mean fewer legal delays and a much-needed social licence to operate.
Dealing with the climate risk
First Nations people around the world are on the . It threatens their homelands, food sources, cultural resources and ways of life.
First Nations have also experienced chronic under-investment in their energy infrastructure by governments over generations, both in and .
Investing in First Nations-led clean energy projects . This was demonstrated by the federal government’s Bushlight program, which ran from 2002 to 2013. It involved renewable energy systems installed in remote communities in the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Queensland.
Bushlight’s solar power meant that communities were not dependent on the delivery of diesel. So they still had power if roads were closed by flooding or other climate disasters.
Australia must get moving
The Biden government’s Inflation Reduction Act prompted a from governments around the world. But after 15 months, Australia is yet to respond or develop equivalent legislation.
We must urgently and seize this unique opportunity to become world leaders in the global renewables race. That includes ensuring First Nations participate in and benefit from these developments.
The First Nations Clean Energy Strategy consultation paper can be found . Feedback can be provided .
Adam Fish volunteers research for the First Nations Clean Energy Network.
He received funding from the Digital Grid Future Institute at the University of New South Wales.
Heidi Norman receives funding from Australian Research Council and James Martin Institute.
