ACTU highlights importance of new clean energy jobs for the future of work in Australia

“Supporting the creation of new quality jobs, the provision of training, skills and redeployment, and delivering the resources workers and communities need are essential”, Michele O’Neil, President, ACTU, comments.

Climate change affects every worker, job, sector, and industry. As Australia transitions to a clean energy economy, creating new clean energy jobs is a top priority for the Australian union movement.

⁠The ACTU Congress announced on 5 June 2024 that the unions are emphasising the need for more robust emissions targets, viewing climate change as a key factor for shaping the future of work in Australia. 

Unions are calling for a strong 2035 emissions target and a transition to a net zero economy by 2050. Therefore, Australia plays a fair role in driving down emissions.

Moreover, unions are calling for significant investments to accelerate new and emerging industries through ambitious climate and industry policies. There is a significant economic opportunity for workers and their communities to benefit from safe, secure, and well-paid jobs.

By positioning Australia as a clean energy superpower, the transition can support workers in changing industries and create new jobs, ACTU said. This development can boost regional growth and alleviate cost-of-living pressures on households and businesses.

To ensure that climate action benefits both working people and the economy, priorities include:

• Investment in clean export and manufacturing industries
• Rapid electrification and other efficiency measures
• Building renewable generation, transmission, and storage of electricity
• Investment in climate adaptation measures

At the Congress, Australian unions also celebrated significant policy achievements from the past year, such as the creation of the Net Zero Economy Authority and the Future Made in Australia Act, which supports training and job opportunities for workers.

Michele O’Neil, President, ACTU, emphasised that decarbonising the economy could lead to the creation of hundreds of thousands of good, secure, well-paid jobs, providing a path to healthier communities and renewed national prosperity while protecting Australians from escalating climate crises.

She added that the future of a liveable planet relies on renewable energy, highlighting that protecting the interests of all workers necessitates two non-negotiable conditions: ensuring the transition occurs at a pace dictated by scientific requirements and that it is inclusive, not leaving any workers or communities behind.

“Change needs to be both fast and fair.”

O’Neil further elaborated that the emphasis is on Australia harnessing its natural advantages in abundant sun, wind, and mineral resources to not only compete in but lead the global race in clean energy, positioning itself as a renewables superpower with workers at the forefront.

“Ensuring change happens with workers, not to workers is critical. 

“Supporting the creation of new quality jobs, the provision of training, skills and redeployment, and delivering the resources workers and communities need are essential.”

READ MORE: National skills targets to be implemented for Australia’s major construction and ICT projects from 1 July 2024

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