First Nations people, groups and communities have been listened to, and the barriers and opportunities to realise our clean energy aspirations have been heard.
– Karrina Nolan, co-chairperson of the First Nations Clean Energy Network, on the First Nations Clean Energy Strategy that was released in December 2024.
“The strategy is a signal to First Nations communities that the Australian government is backing them in the clean energy shift,” says Nolan.
The First Nations Clean Energy Strategy delivers on many years of hard work and advocacy. It was co-created by hundreds of First Nations, industry and government leaders through extensive consultation and roundtables. It sets a visionary pathway to:
- Power First Nations communities with clean energy
- Enable equitable partnerships
- Achieve economic benefits with First Nations peoples
The strategy contains a five-year plan that emphasises the importance of culture, land rights and native title, and advocates for the inclusion of Traditional Owner groups in project opportunities and decision-making processes. (See more information about the strategy at the bottom of this page.)
Crucially, the strategy has the strong support of all federal and state and territory governments, as a key priority of the National Energy Transformation Partnership.
National Director of RE-Alliance, Andrew Bray, says, “We welcome the First Nations Clean Energy Strategy and look forward to supporting its implementation, as we build a sustainable and inclusive energy future together alongside First Nations communities across Australia.”
“We hope that the strategy will help unlock more opportunities for First Nations people to realise their own clean energy aspirations,” he says.
“A few groundbreaking examples like this already exist in Australia, including the East Kimberley Clean Energy project and Eyre Peninsula Link,” says Bray.
The East Kimberley Clean Energy project is an Australian-first, where Traditional Owners are majority shareholders and partners of the development of a large-scale clean energy project. It’s co-owned in equal shares by Balanggarra Ventures Corporation, MG Corporation, Kimberley Land Council and Pollination Group, and will be the first 100% green energy, hydrogen and ammonia export project in Australia.
As the majority shareholders, the Traditional Owners are, from the beginning, in the driver’s seat as leaders and decision-makers. They co-develop, co-decide and self-determine the project, from what’s appropriate for their Country, to economic decisions, to ensuring the project delivers tangible benefits for their communities.
The Eyre Peninsula Link – a 270km high voltage transmission line from Cultana to Port Lincoln – was built in collaboration with transmission company ElectraNet and Barngarla Determination Aboriginal Corporation, winning the South Australian Premier's Award in 2024. Barngarla set their own protocols for engagement, consultation and approvals, which helped to guide culturally and environmentally sensitive design of the transmission line through their country, while ensuring benefits such job pathways for the community.
What is needed to realise the goals of the strategy?
The First Nations Clean Energy Strategy delivery is not yet funded. As Karrina Nolan says, “...resourcing the First Nations Clean Energy Strategy is an investment in consent on our terms.”
We wholeheartedly agree – with appropriate funding and implementation in true partnership with First Nations peoples, this has great potential to realise true economic participation of First Nations people in our shift to renewables.
We stand with First Nations people in calling on Governments to make this investment.
Further information on the First Nations Clean Energy Strategy
What is it?
The strategy outlines a five-year plan to empower First Nations communities by enhancing access to affordable clean energy, ensuring benefit-sharing, and supporting First Nations-led projects. It emphasizes the importance of culture, land rights, and native title, advocating for the inclusion of Traditional Owner groups in project opportunities and decision-making processes. The strategy not only addresses current energy inequities but also paves the way for economic development and self-determination for First Nations peoples.
Who’s involved?
The First Nations Clean Energy Network led the co-development of this strategy in partnership with the Federal Government. Their dedication to ensuring that First Nations communities are central to Australia's energy transition is powerful. The Strategy represents the perspectives and priorities of First Nations people across Australia. These perspectives and priorities have informed the national framework.
What underpins the strategy?
The Strategy is based on principles framed by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the Sustainable Development Goals. They are also informed by the Racial Discrimination Act (1975) and the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
The key guiding principles are:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, being the First Nations peoples of Australia, must be enabled to self-determine how they lead, participate in, and benefit from the clean energy transition.
- First Nations peoples maintain their right to live on their land, with access to reliable and affordable clean energy.
- First Nations peoples are stewards and custodians of Country, including the land, waters, skies and seas. This connection is ongoing and enduring.
- Access to clean energy and a safe climate benefits all human and non-human life.
- First Nations peoples cultural heritage must be recognised, protected and celebrated throughout the clean energy transition.
- Building genuine partnerships and collaboration is a shared responsibility. Government has a special duty of care to lead these efforts and ensure they are underpinned by robust and transparent data collection, monitoring and reporting.
Why it is important, now.
To move beyond ‘business as usual’, governments and industry need to establish a better understanding of, and respect for, First Nations rights and interests in the clean energy sector, including cultural heritage protection, environmental management and economic self-determination.
What else is happening to deliver First Nations justice through the shift to renewables?
A number of things are also underway or recently delivered. See for example the recent changes to the Capacity Investment Scheme for First Nations engagement, benefits sharing and economic empowerment, and the 2024 industry engagement guidance from the Clean Energy Council, ‘Leading Practice Principles: First Nations and Renewable Energy Projects’. Complementing the focus on energy and renewables are moves towards a First Nations Treaty in Victoria and Voice to Parliament in South Australia, which RE-Alliance strongly supports.
References
- The First Nations Clean Energy Strategy
- ‘Energy Ministers release strategy to give agency to First Nations in transition to renewables’ in RenewEconomy
- ‘Groundbreaking First Nations Clean Energy Strategy launched in Adelaide’ in National Indigenous Times