Rapid electrification key to meeting Australia’s new emissions reduction target: Rewiring Australia
Rewiring Australia has welcomed the focus on cleaner and cheaper energy, and the electrification of homes, transport and industry as the key components of the plan to reduce Australia’s emissions by 62-70 per cent by 2035.
The Federal Government today announced the 2035 target, and sector plans to get there, including electricity generation, the built environment, transport and industry.
The Commonwealth announced $2 billion for the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, $5 billion for Net Zero Fund to assist industries in decarbonising and $40 million to accelerate the roll out of kerbside and fast charging for EVs.
“Electrification is the key to reaching this target, and Australians are already well on the way to achieving it through everyday decisions about household energy and transport,” Rewiring Australia CEO Francis Vierboom.
“We know upgrading from fossil-fuelled appliances to electric ones is not only good for cutting emissions, but it’s also great for household savings. Australians don’t have to make sacrifices to help reach this target. They will actually save thousands in the long run by switching to electric appliances and power systems at home, including installing rooftop solar, a home battery and driving an electric vehicle.
“We welcome further investment towards electric transport. More EV charging on our streets is a great step. The existing EV tax break and the NVES are helping too, but with the opportunity to save millions a day on fuel imports while cutting emissions, we continue to call on the government to increase their ambition for the switchover to cleaner, cheaper, zero pollution electric vehicles. Going faster on EVs is something we need to do to hit the higher 70% end of the target range,” Francis Vierboom said.
The Federal Government also today announced $85 million for frameworks to help households and businesses figure out how to become more energy efficient, as well as $50 million for sports clubs to reduce their emissions.
“The Treasurer today spoke about the economic opportunity this plan presents, and our research backs that up. We can create jobs in Australia, shore up energy independence, and become more resilient to our changing climate.
“The faster we can help households, including renters and those in social housing, electrify, the sooner we can reach this target. It’s better for the environment, and better for our hip pockets too. We look forward to working with the Federal Government to electrify everything as quickly as we can,” Francis Vierboom said.
Media contact: Kathleen Ferguson - 0421 522 080