The power of community-led solutions was on display in Broome at the Kimberley Aboriginal Clean Energy Forum last week, an event hosted by Aarnja in partnership with the First Nations Clean Energy Network and the Nulungu Research Institute.

With over 100 attendees over two days, the Kimberley Aboriginal Clean Energy Forum held space for mob from across the Kimberley to come together to share experiences and hear from Government and Industry stakeholders about how the energy transition in the region is rolling out.

Highlights included presentations by:

• Brian Lee and Tarek Ketelsen (Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation), and Jordan Ala’i & Martin (Kusi) Bin Rashid (Karajarri Traditional Land Association), sharing real-world lessons on governance, partnerships and community-led projects
• Professor Peter Yu (The Australian National University), talking about economic opportunities for First Nations people in the clean energy transition
• Professor Anne Poelina (Martuwarra Fitzroy River Council), speaking to climate impacts and the importance of caring for Country in the transition
• Tyronne Garstone (Kimberley Land Council) & Krystal Skinner (Horizon Power), speaking to the opportunities, challenges and future of the Kimberley energy system.

Key takeaways include:

• The region is going to be at the centre of WA’s energy transition, and there is a real opportunity for Aboriginal people and communities to see real benefits
• Communities want to be involved in conversations with government and industry about what the transition looks like, but more needs to be done to level the playing field and make sure that people aren’t getting left behind
• Community-led solutions win time and time again
  

We’re looking forward to seeing what comes next from this powerful group! 

Thank you for the photos from the talented Halina Kolatowicz