Wednesday 17 June 2009

28,000 Australians waiting for a new clean job

Clean Energy Council
16 June 2009

NATIONAL: Clean energy and energy efficiency industries will create more than 28,000* new jobs by 2020, according to groundbreaking economic modelling released today by the Clean Energy Council (CEC). CEC Chief Executive, Matthew Warren, said the report demonstrates that renewable energy jobs are the key to Australia's defence against ongoing global recession and the front line response to climate change.

"We have a burgeoning renewable energy industry in Australia that is ready to become an economic powerhouse when the parliament passes critical Renewable Energy Target legislation," he said. "We now need politicians from all sides in Canberra to set aside cheap political point scoring and pass the RET bill now."

Mr Warren said that immediate deployment of renewable energy projects has the clear support of most stakeholders and the community. "Any political tricky manoeuvre to hold the legislation up now will simply end up being a remarkable own goal," he said. The report concludes that at least 50 percent of Australia's energy will be derived from renewable sources by 2050 and this will require the creation of a new renewable energy workforce.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for employers, investors, education providers and jobseekers to reap the benefits of a green jobs revolution," Mr Warren added. The CEC is working with all levels of government, industry and educational institutions to make sure we get the RET legislation right and pave the way for the creation of this exciting new industry.

The report is now available for download at www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au

*jobs – modelling does not account for jobs created under the $1.6bn Solar Flagships program nor does it include jobs created under the carbon pollution reduction scheme (CPRS).

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