Don’t stop us now: Open letter to politicians from clean energy industry

Less than three weeks out from the federal election, the Clean Energy Council has published an open letter calling out federal politicians for failing to deliver long-term climate and energy policy, and calling on them to get on with the job in the next term of government – whoever the winner may be.

The letter is signed by some of Australia and the world’s leading renewable and clean tech companies, including major gen-tailer Energy Australia, US-based electric car and energy storage giant Tesla, tech engineering giant ABB, and New Zealand-based Meridian Energy.

“We need our federal government to put in place strong and enduring policy that will set a clear course for lowering our emissions in the electricity sector, so that we can continue to deliver more of what Australians want – clean and reliable electricity at affordable prices,” the letter says,

“We can’t afford to waste any more time.”

The election campaign has so far had a strong climate and energy focus, as voter support for strong action on climate change, and for ambitious renewable energy targets, becomes more widespread.

The Coalition, in particular, has come under fire from a number of directions, for its long history of avoiding climate responsibility and misleading voters on the science, and on Australia’s progress – or lack thereof – on emissions reduction.

A scathing report from the Climate Council on Tuesday said the Liberal National Party’s tenure – from prime ministers Abbott to Morrison – had been characterised by slashing funding to climate science, cutting climate programs, rejecting expert advice, making false and misleading claims, and consistently covering up poor performance.