First Nations Clean Energy Strategy

The Australian Government has committed $5.5 million to develop the First Nations Clean Energy Strategy. This is a key priority under the National Energy Transformation Partnership.

The strategy will give First Nations people a say in renewable energy policies and programs. It will identify improvements and areas for future investment.

To develop the strategy, the department is working with:

• the First Nations Clean Energy and Emission Reduction Advisory Committee
• the National Indigenous Australians Agency
• First Nations communities and organisations, including the First Nations Clean Energy Network
• state and territory governments.

First Nations people are important partners in the Clean Energy Transformation. Many First Nations communities are experiencing the impacts of climate changes as well as unreliable and expensive power. First Nations people have strong local and cultural knowledge, including management of Country that should inform how Australia transforms its energy systems to achieve net zero emissions.

The strategy aims to identify ways to support First Nations aspirations to:

• participate in and benefit from the clean energy transformation
• ensure access for reliable clean energy for all Australians
• ensure First Nations cultural heritage, knowledge and connection to land and sea Country is respected
• government and industry create opportunities to build deeper collaboration, consensus and new ways of work with First Nations people.

Public consultation

Consultation is now open on the focus areas for Australia’s First Nations Clean Energy Strategy.

The consultation invites your views on how to enable First Nations peoples to lead and benefit from the clean energy transformation.

To have your say:

• read the consultation paper
• provide a written submission (optional)
• provide feedback by completing the online form on the consultation hub.

The closing date for feedback and written submissions is 31 January 2024.

Events

Upcoming regional roundtables

Geelong, Victoria – 27 and 28 November 2023

Illawarra, New South Wales – 7 and 8 December 2023

Tasmania - early 2024 (date and location to be confirmed)

To attend a roundtable, please visit the First Nations Clean Energy Strategy website.

Past regional roundtables

• Port Hedland, Western Australia – 27 and 28 March 2023
• Alice Springs, Northern Territory – 16 and 17 May 2023
• Canberra, ACT – 24 August 2023
• Cairns, Queensland – 28 and 29 August 2023
• Adelaide, South Australia – 11 and 12 September 2023
• Fremantle, Western Australia – 30 and 31 October 2023

Stakeholder and rights holder engagement

We’re working with stakeholders and rights holders through:

1. Regional roundtables across Australia to identify actions, policies, and programs for the strategy. These roundtables include discussions with First Nations communities, governments and industry.
2. Strategic engagements focussed on place or important issues raised by First Nations communities.
3. Collaborating with state and territory governments, including through dedicated working groups.
4. Meetings with the First Nations Clean Energy and Emissions Reduction Advisory Committee.
5. Briefing the Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council.

What we have heard

Western Australia Roundtable – 27 and 28 March 2023, Port Hedland WA

Western Australia Roundtable Insights Report (PDF 670 KB)

Western Australia Roundtable Insights Report (DOCX 423 KB)

Northern Territory Roundtable – 16 and 17 May 2023, Alice Springs NT

Northern Territory Roundtable Insights Report (PDF 671 KB)

Northern Territory Roundtable Insights Report (DOCX 426 KB)

ACT Government and Industry Roundtable – 24 August 2023, Canberra ACT 

ACT Roundtable Insights Report (PDF 259 KB)

ACT Roundtable Insights Report (DOCX 1.1 MB)

Queensland Roundtable – 28 and 29 August 2023, Cairns Qld

Queensland Roundtable Insights Report (PDF 358 KB)

Queensland Roundtable Insights Report (DOCX 2.68 MB)

South Australia Roundtable – 11 and 12 September 2023, Adelaide SA

South Australia Roundtable Insights Report (PDF 298 KB)

South Australia Roundtable Insights Report (DOCX 407 KB)

Western Australia Roundtable – 30 and 31 October 2023, Fremantle WA

Fremantle Roundtable Insights Report (PDF 280 KB)

Fremantle Roundtable Insights Report (DOCX 299 KB)

Read more

First Nations Clean Energy and Emissions Reduction Advisory Committee

Get in touch

For further information about the strategy, please contact fnces@dcceew.gov.au.