Australia: Indigenous groups look for government commitments in the clean energy transition, with help of Canadian counterparts
“First Nations leaders look to partner with government on clean energy transition”, 20 October 2023
Australian First Nations groups involved in clean energy initiatives have called on their Canadian counterparts to help develop partnerships with the Federal Government...
The goal of the meetings was to secure government commitment to partner with First Nations rights holders in the clean energy transition. The network said otherwise, as had been shown in Canada, the transition wouldn’t happen at the pace and scale required...
“Ensuring First Nations access to affordable reliable clean energy, and opportunities for partnering, equity and ownership of projects, as Canada has done, is fundamental to accelerating Australia’s energy transition,” [Co-chair of the First Nations Clean Energy Network Karrina Nolan] said...
“The government has the opportunity now to do the right thing, using strategic investment, policy levers and strong leadership to create the necessary certainty for First Nations rights holders – and industry – for the collective benefit of the Australian community” [said Chris Croker, co-chair of the First Nations Clean Energy Network]..
Founding executive director of Indigenous Clean Energy, Chris Henderson, said relationships underpinned reconciliation. “Governments, industry, and utilities must take time to build meaningful relationships with First Peoples to create an impactful clean energy transition,” he said...