The
Renewable Energy Target (RET) is an important component of government policies
which provide support for and encourage the development and expansion of clean
energy - renewable energy - in Australia. Moving away from energy produced by
fossil fuels is essential in reducing carbon emissions and combatting climate
change.
The RET which
was originally supported by both major federal parties is under threat. The Abbott Government, influenced by calls
from the fossil fuel industry, conventional energy generators and those who are
unconvinced about the threat of climate change, wants to cut the target. It has only been prevented from doing this
because it lacks the numbers in the Senate.
However, it is continuing to negotiate with senators in the hope of
getting the required numbers.
The
Government's RET policy is extremely short-sighted.
The
Australian community has given strong support to renewable energy through the
uptake of rooftop solar. Over one
million households have had solar installed on their rooftops as a result of
the RET. This uptake of rooftop solar is continuing despite the cutting back of
the very generous financial incentives of some years ago. Part of this continuing trend obviously
results from the declining cost of solar panels.
More than 24,000 Australians are employed in
the renewable energy sector. In a country with rising unemployment, this is a
significant figure. If the RET is cut,
jobs will be lost in this sector. If the
RET is maintained at its current level – or even increased– jobs will not be at
risk and there is potential for increased employment in the sector.
As it
is, the current uncertainty about the fate of the RET is having serious
consequences for the renewables sector. Over the last 12 months investments are
down by over 30% across the sector and there are concerns that the industry may
have trouble recovering even if a decision on the RET is favourable to the
industry.
If the
federal government is really interested in retaining and creating jobs and in
combatting climate change it should be maintaining the RET at least at its
current level.
- Leonie Blain
This article was originally published in the VOICES FOR THE EARTH column in The Daily Examiner on 16 February 2015.
