Cut climate change emissions this decade
Every degree of warming is having catastrophic effects on the frequency and intensity of extreme weathers events and melting ice caps. The faster we can cut polluting emissions (from burning coal, oil, gas, and deforestation), the more climate damage we can avoid. Australia’s emissions reduction target for 2030 is far weaker than our strategic allies and we risk missing out on the jobs and economic benefits that climate change action will bring.
The science shows that for the world to limit warming to a 1.5 degree rise (from what it was in pre-industrial levels 1850s-1900s), Australia must do its fair share and cut emissions by 75% by 2030. At the very least, match the updated commitments from our key allies and pledge to at least halve our emissions by 2030, and reach net zero no later than 2035. Coupled with a fair and inclusive plan (see examples below), we can reduce poverty and inequality.
Healthy, energy-efficient homes
The energy efficiency of Australian homes is so poor that millions of people on low incomes are getting sick or dying because they cannot afford their energy bills, and are unable to make their homes warm in winter and cool in summer. Research shows that by improving the energy efficiency and productivity of low-income homes, we can improve both physical and mental health, reduce poverty through significant sustained energy bill savings, reduce energy use and emissions, generate more than 23,800 jobs nationwide, and add $4.9 billion to our economy.
ACOSS proposes that the Federal Government work with state and territory governments to invest in improving energy efficiency and/or install rooftop solar in 1.8 million low-income homes via a National Low-income Energy Productivity Program (NLEPP). This must include public housing, community housing, low-income homeowners and low-income renters in private rental properties.
Clean, affordable, reliable energy for First Nations’ communities
Regional and remote First Nations’ communities often live in energy-inefficient homes and must rely on expensive carbon-intensive diesel and pre-paid meters to power their homes and communities. The energy available is generally polluting, expensive, and unreliable. As a result, these First Nations communities are severely impacted by climate change and a poorly managed transition to clean energy.
Investing in First Nations’ managed renewable energy and battery storage, and funding home energy efficiency and rooftop solar, would not only reduce carbon emissions but also energy bills. It would also create jobs and improve health and wellbeing, contributing to a number of Close the Gap metrics. ACOSS is calling on the government to establish a First Nations’ Communities Clean Energy Fund to invest in clean energy and energy efficiency for regional and remote communities.
Provide emergency energy debt relief
A combination of people experiencing financial stress and spending more time at home because of the pandemic has resulted in increased energy bill debt. People who are locked out of paid work, living on $46 a day, in energy inefficient homes have little hope of repaying their energy debt and will struggle to afford their next energy bill, let alone be able to cool their home during summer heatwaves. Direct assistance by government is needed before debt spirals out of control and becomes more unmanageable.
To immediately reduce energy bill debt, we are calling on the Federal Government to provide additional short-term (up to 12 months) financial support of up to $1,000 per person experiencing payment difficulties and energy debt.
Fair and inclusive transition for fossil fuel-dependent workers and communities
Some workers and communities could experience negative effects from our response to climate change, such as people who depend heavily on burning or extracting fossil fuels. However, if we have a planned and well-managed transition co-designed with workers and the local community, we can appropriately support affected workers, create thousands of new jobs and revive, and transform regional towns.
Creating jobs will not be enough to ensure that all affected workers and communities are benefitting from the transition. A broader energy transition plan is needed, which should be overseen by a dedicated Authority, and funded.
Create and fund local Community Resilience Hubs
With extreme weather such as floods, fires and heatwaves expected to increase and intensify, the needs and strengths of communities must be at the heart of extreme weather preparedness, response, and recovery. All government initiatives must support and empower communities to build their resilience and recovery efforts on their terms.
ACOSS is calling for the creation and funding of local Community Resilience Hubs in every Local Government Area (LGA) that are community-led, engage in building community resilience, and assist the community in planning, response and recovery.
Affordable, accessible, quality insurance
It is well established that having insurance reduces financial hardship and speeds up recovery when affected by a natural disaster. However, covering the cost of insurance is becoming more difficult. The average home insurance premium now costs almost four times as much as it did in 2004.
As insurance premiums increase, it is inevitable that we will see more people, especially people already experiencing financial hardship, drop or reduce insurance as the costs become prohibitive. This will increase financial disadvantage and inequality in our community, and lead to an increase in the need for government support.
To support affordable, accessible and quality insurance, the government must establish a review on insurance affordability in Australia to consider the worsening impacts of climate change and increasing financial difficulties, with specific support for people experiencing financial disadvantage.
Strengthen the resilience of community sector organisations
Community sector organisations play a critical role in disaster preparedness, response and recovery, especially in supporting the needs of vulnerable people. But these organisations are themselves highly vulnerable to disasters.
For many people experiencing poverty, disadvantage and social exclusion, these organisations are often the primary source of connection to the broader community and form the basis of their resilience to everyday adversity as well as in times of crisis.
The Federal Government should resource community sector organisations to adapt to climate change, be better prepared for emergencies and disasters, and ensure continuity of care for vulnerable people.
End subsidies to fossil fuels
Fossil fuel subsidies are now worth 11.6 billion per annum and have increased 12% in the last year, mainly due to the federal government providing new subsidies for gas exploration and production. The biggest single subsidy is the federal government’s Fuel Tax Credits Scheme, which delivers an $8 billion refund every year in fuel tax to mining and agriculture for off-road use. Fossil fuels subsidies support greater production of polluting climate change emissions – the very thing governments are spending public funds in other parts of the economy to reduce. The subsidy also distorts the need for energy efficiency, fuel switching, or investment in other forms of renewable energy or transport.
Revenue raised from removing fossil fuel subsidies should be redirected to build climate resilience and fair and inclusive policies to rapidly reduce emissions.
Read ACOSS Climate and Resilience 2022 federal election asks (Accessible Version here)