Energy ministers release strategy to give agency to First Nations in transition to renewables

All Australian energy ministers today released the First Nations Clean Energy Strategy, honouring a commitment to put First Nations front and centre of the country’s clean energy transition.

The First Nations Clean Energy Strategy sets a vision and pathway for government, industry and First Nations to work in a coherent coordinated approach to address access to affordable clean power, and ensure benefit-sharing, partnerships, and First Nations-led projects.

Driven by an ask in 2022 from our member-based First Nations Clean Energy Network, hundreds of First Nations, industry and government leaders from around the country drove its design through roundtables and consultations. 

It really is a solutions focused document that has been shaped by our people.

The First Nations Clean Energy Strategy is a signal to our communities that government is backing us, and a signal to industry that when you prioritise First Nations partnerships, the government will also back you.

It recognises that the scale and pace of the energy transition needs engagement from all of us, and that our people are critical to that.

Through its implementation, we can start to deal with existing inequities in energy access.

Many of our people are still living off grid, relying on expensive, polluting diesel. And those in urban and regional social housing are yet to enjoy benefits of more affordable clean power.

Enacting the Strategy means we can power these homes with renewables, switch out diesel generation, increase energy efficiency and build in climate-resilient retrofits, and develop a local workforce at the same time.

The Strategy will also lift up our Traditional Owner groups so we self-determine the role we play in the transition, including so we can be proponents in our own right, be part of the design of projects from conception, and to enable free prior and informed consent (FPIC). 

All of this makes for a more stable investment environment.

Government’s initial investment in the Strategy can facilitate and resource First Nations organisations and businesses and generate economic development opportunities for our people for generations to come.

When we look to Canada, nearly 20% of electricity generation infrastructure includes First Nations, Metis and Inuit entities as owners, partners or beneficiaries. Australia has 18 and counting First Nations equity partnerships with clean energy developers.

There is clear evidence that First Nations-led projects correlate to higher levels of wellbeing, and reduced risk, cost and delay.

The First Nations Clean Energy Strategy, interacting with other emerging frameworks like the Capacity Investment Scheme and Future Made in Australia, signals to our communities that the barriers and opportunities to realise our clean energy aspirations have been heard. 

The principles embedded in the Strategy apply to relevant State and Territory initiatives and policy across the nation. 

We look forward to working with jurisdictions to ensure the First Nations Clean Energy Strategy is implemented in partnership with our people, building on all of the work already underway to guide investment and partnerships with First Nations in our country’s clean energy transition.

The Network acknowledges the First Nations Clean Energy and Emissions Reduction Advisory Committee members for their leadership and commitment to our communities in developing the First Nations Clean Energy Strategy. 

Karrina Nolan is co-Chair of the First Nations Clean Energy Network