AUSSIE CLEAN JOBS PLAN: NEW REPORT
NEW ECONOMIC MODELLING from AlphaBeta has found 76,000 jobs can be created across Australia, rapidly getting people back into the workforce while also tackling climate change.
"The Clean Jobs Plan identifies a dozen policy options which can create jobs fast, where they are needed and for people who need them most," said AlphaBeta Director, Andrew Charlton.
"The job creation could start immediately and continue over three years. Federal, state and territory governments all have the opportunity to put these measures in train," said Mr Charlton.
"Australia has seen steep job losses throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. But with the right policy measures, thousands of jobs could be created in large-scale renewable energy, ecosystem restoration and the collection and processing of organic waste," he said.
Report Key Findings
Across Australia, up to 15,000 jobs could be created in large-scale renewable energy, including solar and wind farms, upgrading transmission infrastructure and adding utility-scale batteries.
Approximately 12,000 jobs could be created in ecosystem restoration including 5,000 in Queensland.
Thousands of other jobs could be created in the collection and processing of organic waste; making homes and public buildings more energy efficient; expanding urban and peri urban green spaces; community scale energy storage and generation; green hydrogen and expanding electric vehicle infrastructure.
Regional Australia would benefit substantially from the Clean Jobs Plan because more than 40% of the job opportunities identified are located in regional parts of the country.
70% of job opportunities are in construction and administrative, support & logistics services - sectors where 80,000 workers have already lost their jobs.
"The opportunities identified in our modelling work are shovel ready. One third of the jobs would require less than 12 months of retraining, meaning that workers who lost their jobs because of the COVID-19 crisis could be rapidly employed," said Mr Charlton.
"Economic recovery is a national priority, and all governments have a crucial role to play in making targeted investments," said non-executive director and Climate Council board member, Sam Mostyn.
"Most of the 12 stimulus options can leverage significant private investment for the Australian economy. Investment in pilot-scale green hydrogen facilities would unlock $4 for every dollar of public money; utility-scale renewable energy unlocks $3 for every dollar invested," said Ms Mostyn.
"The Clean Jobs Plan is unique because of the speed at which it can get people back to work. It puts us on a practical, jobs-rich path and focuses on areas most in need. It sets us up for the future, by creating jobs and tackling climate change. It's a win-win solution," said Climate Council CEO, Amanda McKenzie.
The Cleans Jobs Plan was commissioned by the Climate Council. AlphaBeta is part of Accenture.
