Today, the Tasmanian Climate Collective and Environment Tasmania officially launched their Solar and Battery Affordability Pledge, calling on all state election candidates to back practical, cost-saving renewable energy solutions. The pledge is a clear commitment for candidates to support greater access to affordable solar and battery storage for all Tasmanians.
The pledge was publicly launched to the media today on Parliament Lawns in Hobart, where the Tasmanian Climate Collective and Environment Tasmania were joined by Green and Independent candidates from Lyons, Franklin and Clark.
Already, 60 candidates - including representatives from Greens, Labor and independents - have signed on and the pledge, with many publicly promoting their support on social media. The pledge creators say they expect that number to grow, describing the pledge as a “no-brainer” for candidates who are serious about climate and energy affordability.
Maddie McShane, Climate and Energy Campaigner at Environment Tasmania, says that investing in solar and battery technology is necessary for Tassie to play its part in the energy transition.
“Tasmania may have a renewable legacy, but it still relies on fossil fuels; with a substantial portion of its energy imported via Basslink and supplemented by local gas production.”
“There’s work to be done to drive the renewable energy transition: and investing in community energy resources like solar and batteries is a logical first step.”
In addition to upfront rebates, McShane says the state government should also consider other policy initiatives to incentivise renewables, including raising and modernising solar feed-in tariffs (making them dynamic rather than static), and improving tenancy standards to lift the energy efficiency of rental homes across Tasmania.
The Tasmanian Climate Collective reinforced the urgency of the issue:
“Climate change presents the single greatest threat to the livelihoods and wellbeing of people everywhere,” Dr Jennifer Sanger, co-convenor of the Tasmanian Climate Collective said.
“We want the next Tasmanian Government to take strong action on climate change. Expanding access to renewable energy will not only help the climate, but it will make power bills significantly cheaper for Tasmanians.”
“This pledge will help voters know which candidates take climate action and the cost-of-living crisis seriously."
When asked about the budget, Independent candidate for Clark Kristie Johnson said: “Budgets are about choices, and we absolutely can afford to take action that addresses the effects of climate change and reduces people’s power bills.”
Independent Jack Davenport for Bass signed on to the pledge, posting on his social media that “The climate crisis hasn’t been getting the attention it deserves this election, and that needs to change.”
Independent for Franklin Peter George says that he has no trouble at all signing on to a pledge which makes up “Part of the solution for climate change and part of the solution for the cost-of-living crisis at the same time.