Australians value batteries and EVs, but renewables industry must earn trust of regions, summit told
A survey of Australian attitudes shows that while support for home-based clean energy remains high, organized campaigns have successfully undermined public trust in large-scale renewable projects. The industry is now being urged to improve community engagement to ensure the transition continues.
Why it matters
Social license is a critical bottleneck for the global energy transition, as public opposition can stall essential infrastructure projects.
Support for onshore wind and solar farms had dropped from last year, the survey found, with Australians reporting receiving more negative than positive messages about windfarms. Support for onshore wind and solar farms had dropped from last year, the survey found, with Australians reporting receiving more negative than positive messages about windfarms. Energy Australians value batteries and EVs, but renewables industry must earn trust of regions, summit told Clean Energy Council calls for a national, legislated scheme to funnel benefits of hosting renewables projects back to local councils
Prefer the Guardian on Google Organised campaigns against wind and solar energy have proved “extremely effective” in undermining community support for renewable energy but enthusiasm for electric vehicles has jumped following Donald Trump’s attack on Iran, according to a detailed snapshot of Australian attitudes to the clean energy transition.
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