Australia's race to net-zero emissions by 2050 means that First Nations groups are becoming key partners in sustainable wealth-creation projects.

The federal government's plan to include First Nations people as co-drivers of new industries to help drive wealth creation has been backed by key First Nations bodies, who agree it must be built on the foundation of free, prior and informed consent.

The ability of companies, governments, and investors to dictate terms of development on First Nations lands is changing. First Nations communities are increasingly interested in being equity owners in projects impacting their land.

Partnering on clean energy projects delivering equity shares, preferred contracting, and training and employment opportunities for Traditional Owners groups, is emerging as the new norm.

Today, there are 15 and counting First Nations partnerships with industry working on significant clean energy project developments.

So, how are First Nations groups getting these partnerships off the ground and what benefits have they negotiated?

SPEAKERS: Lawford Benning, Aunty Carol, Ned David, Jason Bilney, Sonja Dare, Cissy Gore-Borch, Chris Croker (Facilitator)

Along with transforming our energy system, Australia needs to transform our workforce.

First Nations Australians must be supported to enter the clean energy sector to access quality job opportunities and career pathways.

Yet, there currently is a lack of coordination across local, regional and federal levels to support First Nations workers access the education, apprenticeships, experiences, knowledge and support required to take advantage of the opportunities emerging in the energy transition.

So, what needs to happen?

SPEAKERS: Tegan Miller, Justin Coburn, Shaurntae Lyons, Anthea Middleton, Chris Croker, Trevor Gauld, Lara Watson (Facilitator)

Australia’s energy transition - the bedrock of Australia’s economic future - will only happen at the pace and scale required when our First Nations voices, interests and aspirations are a genuine part of development and planning systems. 

Australia’s critical mineral policies must consider the rights and interests of First Nations peoples throughout a project’s life cycle.

The economic shift brought about by the Australian Government's Future Made in Australia Act cannot come at the expense of First Nations peoples. We want to see economic and policy systems that include and embed First Nations culture, rights and interests, and priorities. We don't want to see a repeat of the mistakes of the past.

First Nations communities impacted by six potential new hydrogen projects in Australia have the opportunity to participate in a targeted information sharing workshop to find out what’s happening, the likely impacts, and how First Nations rights and interests may be exercised.

The First Nations Clean Energy Network is looking at the potential risks and opportunities for First Nations from proposed hydrogen projects in Western Australia, New South Wales, Queensland and Tasmania.

Specific merit criteria ensuring energy proponents include meaningful and quality engagement and benefit sharing with First Nations will be introduced into the Federal government’s new Capacity Investment Scheme tender process, a government representative told the First Nations Clean Energy Symposium in Adelaide today.