Last week, Friends of the Earth made a submission to the NSW Parliamentary inquiry into Renewable Energy Zones (REZ). The REZ system seeks to connect renewable energy projects and storage across the state to deliver clean, cheap, and reliable energy for people in NSW.
The renewable energy transformation that is currently underway is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to decarbonise our energy system and reach our emissions reduction targets - the single most impactful thing we can do to slow climate change, reduce the incidence of climate-related disasters, protect nature, and ensure a safe future for generations to come.
By centring rural and regional communities throughout the process and undertaking good faith consultation and co-design, renewable energy can deliver lasting employment and economic opportunities in our regions for decades to come, along with meaningful community benefits.
With renewables already providing 36% of electricity in NSW - and many more projects in the pipeline - it is essential that we stay on track to reduce the impact of our energy system on the environment and climate and make sure that regional communities reap the benefits of renewable energy.
We know that a majority of people support the renewable energy transition, including people living in Renewable Energy Zones. It's time to get on with the job of delivering a clean energy rollout that is good for communities and for the climate.
You can download our submission by clicking here or read below.