In 2023, the Net Zero Economy Agency visited regions across Australia to understand the opportunities and challenges facing communities in the transformation to a net zero economy, as well the priority actions needed to support this transformation.
These visits, led by our Chair, the Hon Greg Combet AM, saw us visit Gladstone, the Latrobe Valley, Newcastle and the Hunter, and south-west Western Australia.
We met with a wide range of local people, organisations and groups, including all levels of government, industry and investors, non-government organisations, community groups, unions, First Nations groups and education and training organisations.
What we heard is that these communities are concerned about the scale and timing of the transformation and how we can ensure it is a synchronised process. They want a clear understanding of the Government’s long-term vision for meeting national climate targets, as well as their region’s future prospects in order to better coordinate transformation efforts. They are looking for enduring industry that provides stable and local jobs for generations to come.
Alongside the regional visits, the Net Zero Economy Agency has been working closely with a range of government stakeholders to better understand the existing policies and programs supporting the net zero economic transformation. This includes collaborating with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water to learn from their consultations for the First Nations Clean Energy Strategy.
These visits will help inform our work, and the work of the forthcoming Net Zero Economy Authority, to support regions and communities to transform to a net zero economy in an orderly and positive manner.