Australia has a history of opposition to climate change in some community segments. Polarization around the science of climate change and the role of Australia in exporting it to the world via its economic dependency on fossil fuel exports was heightened during the decade of the .’ Over these years, an intense political conflict played out, which dominated Australian politics from roughly 2007 to 2022. During this time, climate policy became a highly divisive issue that contributed to the downfall of multiple prime ministers and the repeal of a climate pricing mechanism in 2014. The ideological support and perpetuation of climate denialism – particularly by right-wing political parties – led to conservative communities strongly resisting climate action. This history has flowed through to the present day, where pockets of climate change skepticism have now moved into opposition to renewable energy projects and the promotion of nuclear energy – a stance supported by right-wing political parties seeking to maintain the fossil fuel industry in the country as well as their traditional voting base.
The resistance to climate change action and renewable energy adoption in Australia comes from several distinct demographics. The first are rural and regional communities, particularly those in coal-mining regions like the Hunter Valley (NSW) and central Queensland. These communities often depend economically on fossil fuel industries and may view climate action as a direct threat to their livelihoods. They can also be .’ The second demographic is the conservative political base, especially supporters of the Liberal-National Coalition, representing another significant group, comprising roughly 30-35% of voters. Historically, they have viewed climate action as potentially damaging Australia’s economic interests. Thirdly, workers and business owners in energy-intensive industries, including manufacturing, mining, and agriculture, form another substantial group of resistors, fearing economic disruption from a rapid transition to renewables.
Recently, a growing segment of the regional conservative population has used the language of environmental responsibility to try and stop renewable energy projects. They have used examples from traditional environmental advocacy groups to express this opposition, such as forming online communities, lobbying politicians, and engaging in rallies and marches. This opposition is stoked by think tanks and conservative politicians, who continue to campaign against ambitious climate targets and renewable energy policies using greenwashing tactics such as 2050 net zero targets to delay action. Fossil fuel companies and related industries actively lobby against climate policies, and rural communities occasionally organize protests against wind farms and solar installations, citing land use concerns. Social media has become another battleground, with organized online movements spreading skepticism about climate science and renewable reliability.
This opposition to renewable energy projects and meaningful climate actions, such as banning new fossil fuel projects, is rooted in ideological reasons, a lack of trust in authorities, and social identity concerns, perpetuated through misinformation and disinformation by those who benefit from this stance. Many communities strongly identify with mining and farming traditions while harboring distrust of urban-based environmental movements. They also fear job losses in fossil fuel industries, worry about electricity prices and reliability and express concern about property value impacts near renewable installations. Information gaps contribute to these concerns significantly, as many groups exposed to misinformation about renewable energy reliability have limited understanding of climate science and remain unaware of the economic opportunities in renewable sectors.
Despite these challenges, there are many positive signs that Australia can continue its progress in decarbonization. Access to renewable energy at the household level is extremely high in Australia, which has the world’s highest uptake of household solar panels, which is continuing to grow every year (Figure 1).
Figure 1: Cumulative annual capacity (GW) of rooftop PV by jurisdiction. Source: Clean Energy Council, ‘Rooftop solar and storage report, HC2023, page 5. https://cleanenergycouncil.org.au/cec/media/background/resources/rooftop-solar-and-storage-report-h2-2023.pdf
While batteries remain expensive, there is increasing access to them alongside a well-established tradition of off-grid living. Most Australians support climate action, and employment in the renewable sector now exceeds 30,000 jobs. However, challenges persist, including ongoing political division on climate policy, continued resistance in key mining regions, and mixed success of community engagement programs.
Australia is implementing various approaches to address and overcome these concerns. On the economic front, Just Transition programs for coal communities are being developed alongside the creation of Renewable Energy Zones that provide new employment opportunities. Financial incentives for residential solar adoption have proven particularly successful. Educational initiatives include community engagement programs in resistant regions, school-based climate education, and technical training for renewable energy jobs. Policy measures have also been implemented, including regional development funds for renewable projects, battery subsidy schemes, and community co-ownership models for renewable projects.
To strengthen the ability of the broader Australian community to transition to clean energy and phase out fossil fuel projects, several improvements are needed. Economic support should be strengthened through increased funding for regional transition programs, more comprehensive job retraining initiatives, and better integration of local communities in renewable project planning. Governments should ensure that renewable energy projects cannot trade off environmental values (such as by land clearing) simply because of their green energy credentials. This is particularly topical, with a huge growth of renewable energy projects and associated infrastructure urgently needed and viciously criticized. Communication strategies need refinement, with more targeted messaging focusing on economic benefits and energy security, particularly when engaging with resistant communities. Policy frameworks require greater consistency at the national level, better coordination between federal and state initiatives, and a stronger focus on community benefit sharing.
Primary Influencer
Person: New Queensland Premier, Liberal politician David Crisafulli (elected in October 2024)
Contact: premier@ministerial.qld.gov.au
Electorate office contact: Broadwater@parliament.qld.gov.au
Dear Premier,
Congratulations on your election, and thank you for standing strong against pro-nuclear lobbyists seeking to despoil our state and ride roughshod over our regional communities.
I am writing to highlight the significant economic opportunities that Queensland’s renewable energy transition presents for our state. Please take this opportunity to help Queensland move into the future while protecting our communities, economy, and environment. We can achieve all three outcomes simultaneously without the need to prop up polluting fossil fuel and nuclear industries.
While our state has historically benefited from fossil fuel industries, particularly in regions like central Queensland, we now have an unprecedented opportunity to become a renewable energy powerhouse while protecting iconic assets like the Great Barrier Reef.
The evidence shows Australians already embrace clean energy, with our nation leading the world in household solar adoption. The renewable energy sector already employs over 30,000 people nationally, which is set to grow substantially. With its abundant solar resources, Queensland is perfectly positioned to capture an outsized share of this growth. To seize this opportunity while ensuring no communities are left behind, I recommend the following:
- Accelerating the development of Renewable Energy Zones, which can create significant employment opportunities in regional areas
- Strengthening Just Transition programs for coal communities to ensure workers and their families are supported through the change
- Implementing comprehensive job retraining initiatives that prepare our workforce for emerging industries
- Fostering community co-ownership models for renewable projects to ensure local benefits
- Maintaining strong environmental protections while fast-tracking responsible renewable development.
By taking a leadership role in this transition, Queensland can protect both its environmental treasures and its economic prosperity. Success stories from other jurisdictions show that with proper planning and community engagement, we can create more jobs and economic opportunities than we risk losing.
This post was submitted by Australia Country Manager Dr. Robyn Gulliver