Climate Policy Engagement Analysis
Climate Policy Engagement Overview: EnergyAustralia appears broadly supportive of ambitious action on climate change in its top-line messaging, and has engaged in increasingly positive lobbying on climate regulation in recent years. However, the company appears less supportive of state-level climate policy and has also supported a sustained role for fossil fuels in the energy mix.
Top-line Messaging on Climate Policy: EnergyAustralia’s top line messaging on climate change is broadly positive. The company supported advocacy aligned with a zero-emissions economy by 2050 in its August 2023 Climate Transition Action Plan and also appeared to support the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change process in a June 2023 consultation submission. However, EnergyAustralia has also consistently stated its preference for national climate and energy policy in Australia, at the expense of state-level legislation, most recently in a February 2023 consultation submission.
Engagement with Climate-Related Regulations: EnergyAustralia engages with largely positive positions on climate-related regulations in 2022 and 2023. The company supported the passage of Australia’s Climate Change Bill, which legislates the country’s 2030 and 2050 greenhouse gas emissions targets, in an August 2022 consultation submission and also appeared supportive of energy efficiency standards in its February 2023 submission to Australia’s National Energy Performance Strategy. EnergyAustralia also appeared to support the introduction of Australia CO2 emissions standards for light-duty vehicles in its October 2022 submission to the National Electric Vehicle Strategy, and likewise supported proposed legislative changes to incorporate an emissions’ reduction objective into Australia’s National Energy Objectives in a March 2023 consultation submission.
Positioning on Energy Transition: EnergyAustralia adopts inconsistent positioning on the energy transition, supporting a continued role for fossil fuels in the energy mix while also advocating for an increase in renewable energy. As reported in a February 2024 article by The Australian, EnergyAustralia’s CEO, Mark Collete, appeared to oppose the decision to exclude fossil gas generation from the Capacity Investment Scheme. Collette also appeared to oppose the early retirement of coal assets in a November 2022 Australian Financial Review article, reportedly stating that Australia must adopt closure contracts that would help to ensure coal generation did not exit the system until sufficient capacity could be brought online to replace it.
In contrast to this advocacy, EnergyAustralia have also communicated support for the energy transition, advocating for the decarbonization of Australia’s economy and an increase in renewable energy. For example, the company supported policies towards electrification and degasification in its February 2023 submission to Australia’s National Energy Performance Strategy. EnergyAustralia also supported regulatory measures to support the decarbonization of Australia’s transport sector in an October 2022 consultation submission, calling for Australian policymakers to implement financial incentives to support the rapid uptake of electric vehicles.
Industry Association Governance: EnergyAustralia has disclosed a list of its industry association memberships, however its disclosure does not provide an account of its industry associations’ positions on climate-related policy. EnergyAustralia maintains membership to a number of industry associations that have opposed climate-related policies in 2022 and 2023, including Minerals Council of Australia and the Energy Users Association of Australia.