Pages tagged "clean energy"
Rockhampton ‘Powering Up’ finalises workshop series
Some 20 First Nations leaders from Queensland attended the third in our series of ‘Powering Up’ workshops held in Rockhampton on 14-15 May 2025.
Read moreSmart Energy South Australia
We’re bringing a one-day Conference & Exhibition to South Australia on 22 July 2025!
Register for free to be a part in South Australia’s energy future!
WHY ATTEND
- Connect: Network with South Australia’s energy leaders and forge powerful industry partnerships.
- Learn: Stay ahead with critical insights on SA’s renewable trends, evolving regulations, and emerging tech.
- Discover: Explore the latest products, meet innovative suppliers, and uncover fresh investment opportunities.
With Adelaide tipped to host COP31 in 2026, the state’s energy leadership is under the global spotlight. This is your chance to be part of the momentum.
First Nations contribution to the renewables and clean energy sector: New ILSC guide
The Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation have published a comprehensive guide to assist First Nations understand, participate, and lead in the renewables and clean energy sector.
Read moreWe should be able to get reliable energy just like anywhere else: SA mob explore clean energy options
Energy security, disconnections, and community engagement on energy project development were the number one themes at the Network's inaugural First Nations Clean Energy Gathering in South Australia.
Read moreFirst Powering Up workshop delivered to First Nations in Western Australia
Some 25 local First Nations leaders attended the first ever 'Powering Up Workshop’ designed to empower First Nations communities to engage, consent, negotiate and partner in new clean energy developments, held in Jambinu (Geraldton), Western Australia this week.
Read moreA Bright Future: Growing the First Nations Clean Energy Workforce
A First Nations workforce could be essential to help meet the unique pattern of demand generated by the clean energy transition. First Nations participation in the energy sector has been growing – with an estimated 3,300 working in the sector (tripling over the past 15 years).
Positive Indicators
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Three-quarters of First Nations people in the energy sector are in technician and trade roles, with 50% being qualified Electricians
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The energy sector has among the highest rates of skilled First Nations workers, with over 80% at skill levels 1 to 3 (as measured by the ANZSCO occupational skill rating)
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Most First Nations people in energy (54%) already work in regional Australia, aligning well with the projected distribution of future clean energy jobs
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The energy sector offers high rates of full-time employment and earnings for First Nations people compared to other sectors
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First Nations representation in Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) is higher than the national average – especially in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania.
Challenges
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The employment gap between First Nations and non-Indigenous Australians remains unchanged over the last three decades
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Past First Nations employment and training programs have had mixed outcomes, often resulting in short-term, low-skill jobs
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First Nations people face unique difficulties in seeking training and employment, including limited job opportunities in their local area and transport issues
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Existing energy qualifications designed for remote First Nations communities are not being fully utilised
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Industry engagement with First Nations on clean energy projects is still in its infancy, with industry struggling with issues like appropriate cultural awareness.
Future Prospects
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A record number of First Nations people (over 2,100) were in training for energy apprenticeships in 2024, a 66% increase from 2020
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The Certificate III in Electrotechnology is now the second most common apprentice qualification among First Nations people.
Authors: Powering Skills Organisation & Jobs and Skills Council (JSC), Growing the First Nations Clean Energy Workforce, Research Brief – March 2025
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First Nations Clean Energy Gathering in South Australia today
The First Nations Clean Energy Gathering is on in Glenelg, South Australia today with nearly 50 First Nations members and supporters from around the State attending.
Read moreHow clean energy agreement-making in Australia is raising the bar on benefit and co-ownership arrangements for Australian Traditional Owners
In Australia, there are now many examples of Traditional Owners developing clean energy projects in partnership with clean energy developers and companies.
This discussion paper looks at how Australian Traditional Owners are taking charge of large-scale clean energy projects on their Country.
Key takeaways include finding that regulatory approvals are likely to be faster where the Traditional Owner group is the owner/co-owner of the project, or substantially involved in the project from an early stage.
Additional takeaways include:
- Traditional Owners have a legal veto over large-scale clean energy projects.
- Many groups are taking charge of clean energy projects on their Country, far more so than is possible for mining, oil and gas.
- Cultural heritage is easier to protect for clean energy projects than it is for mining, oil and gas projects.
- Traditional Owners must be resourced properly - to undertake their own wind and solar mapping, to obtain legal & financial advice - in order to best benefit from the clean energy transition.
Authors: Dr Lily O’Neill and Dr Kathryn Thorburn, University of Melbourne, published March 2025.
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How costly is a community benefit agreement for a private project developer?
Community benefit agreements (CBAs) negotiated in Canada are legally binding through contract law and set out obligations for project developers and local communities.
Also referred to as impact and benefit agreements, CBAs are common resource governance tools that are negotiated across the globe between private project developers and local, often Indigenous, communities whose land must be accessed or disturbed for major extractive resource projects.
According to the literature, CBAs have the potential to help facilitate economic and social development of Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities by providing revenue benefits, employment and training opportunities, contracting opportunities for local businesses, new community infrastructure, and impact mitigation measures.
Although CBAs are only legally required in certain regions in northern Canada in accordance with lands claim agreements, CBAs are negotiated for virtually every major extractive resource project developed in Canada and are becoming increasingly common all around the world.
Some attribute the prevalence of CBAs to private developers recognizing the right of communities to free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) as affirmed by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) while others attribute the prevalence of CBAs to project developers managing social risk and attempting to satisfy consultation and accommodation requirements to obtain approval.
While this paper's case focus is on the Canadian North, the authors hope that the theoretically-informed study finds resonance with other jurisdictions host to CBAs.
Authors: Cameron Gunton, Eric Werker, Mark A. Moore and Sean Markey, Simon Fraser University, Canada
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Thanks for use of the photo by Jonny Rothwell
The pace is building
Australia now has 18 and counting First Nations clean energy equity partnerships with developers.