Post by Climate Change Authority

"Decarbonisation is good for the planet but also increasingly good for our finances. Indeed, nature’s blessings of abundant sunshine and wind above, and a treasure trove of critical minerals below, gift Australia the pole position in this transition race. The war in the Middle East, in revealing our fossil fuel vulnerabilities, fortifies every link in this logic chain. It gives me no comfort whatsoever that the pain being experienced at the bowser by motorists every day, nor the anxiety farmers face in securing needed fertiliser, is adding to the economic case to decarbonise. Amid the market shocks, it is even more important that we make the right calls when it comes to delivering real energy – and climate – security for Australians. Some of the recent reactions, such as a push to open up new oil and gas fields, are – at a gut level – perhaps understandable. But we shouldn’t let these market disruptions push us down costly cul-de-sacs that won’t lower energy costs. If we do, they will add to the economic and emission burdens future generations won’t thank us for. Where you and I – and probably every energy minister in our region – see this oil and gas crisis as a clarion call to CUT our dependency on these volatile commodities, some – including vested interests – would have us INCREASE that exposure. Australia’s energy security can be enhanced by boosting output of HOMEGROWN electrons – rather than importing or prospecting for more fossil molecules – and the technology to do is already being rolled out at scale. For starters, a solar farm can be built in two years or less, a big battery plant even sooner. A wind farm typically takes longer but it's another scalable technology that – along with solar and storage – tends to become more efficient and cheaper with each doubling of output. Last year, we saw estimates that about two-thirds of the investment in new energy sources GLOBALLY in 2025 would be in NON-fossil fuel sources, according to the International Energy Agency. Indeed, renewable energy overtook coal power globally last year for the first time. In Australia, too, we have seen renewables eclipse coal and gas in our main power grids – again, for the first time – at the end of 2025. Shifting economics are transforming what had seemed niche technology to become necessary and compelling clean energy options to compulsory ones. Add all that up, and the incremental can become the exponential for the benefit of our economy and the environment alike – and the future generations of Australians to come!" - ‎The Hon. Matt Kean speaking at the CEDA - Committee for Economic Development of Australia and Energy summit 2026 today. Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) International Energy Agency (IEA) Read the whole speech on our website 👉 https://lnkd.in/gcp5W9Mb