List of recommendations

2.68The Committee recommends that the Australian Government expand expertise and analytical capabilities to better understand the risks and opportunities for Australia’s export profile presented by the decarbonisation pathways of its major trading partners.

3.116The Committee recommends that the Australian Government continue to actively pursue opportunities to leverage Australia’s existing trade and investment architecture and look to enter new and innovative agreements and partnerships to maximise Australia’s opportunities in the global net-zero transition.

3.117The Committee recommends that the Australian Government:

Take enhanced measures to improve understanding of the risks and opportunities for Australian exports presented by the European Union Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and carbon border tariffs introduced by other countries.

Consider and monitor the need for an Australian carbon border tariff or similar measure to preserve the competitiveness of trade-exposed industries as domestic decarbonisation accelerates.

4.125The Committee recommends that the National Hydrogen Strategy Review consider measures to ensure there is sufficient hydrogen supply to support domestic decarbonisation and build emerging value-added export opportunities.

4.126The Committee recommends that the Australian Government consider whether measures are required to retain a greater portion of domestically mined critical minerals and rare earths onshore to encourage the development of downstream industries, such as in the battery supply chain.

5.157The Committee recommends that the Australian Government develop a cross-portfolio national green energy superpower strategy to:

Define Australia’s long-term green energy superpower vision

Identify Australia’s key opportunities with regard to strengths and competitive advantages, as well as the decarbonisation pathways of major trading partners

Determine effective and efficient policy approaches to support priority emerging industries and technologies, with a focus on attracting private sector investment

Connect existing and forthcoming sectoral and industry strategies.

5.158The Committee recommends that the Australian Government accelerate the development of robust certification and guarantee of origin schemes for renewable energy and products such as hydrogen to maximise Australia’s green energy export opportunities. Where relevant, these should be aligned with existing frameworks in key markets and emerging international regulations to ensure export competitiveness in a global green economy.

5.159The Committee recommends that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Austrade formally align trade and investment promotion and awareness building functions with Australia’s green energy superpower ambitions and net-zero commitments.

6.164The Committee recommends that the Australian Government undertake detailed analysis to identify the scale of renewable energy that can credibly be deployed, to underpin and inform the development of Australia’s export-oriented green energy industries.

6.165The Committee recommends that efforts by Commonwealth, state and territory, and local governments to develop streamlined and more transparent regulatory and approval frameworks be consistent and equitable across land uses, including in relation to community engagement and consultation.

6.166The Committee recommends that the Australian Government, in consultation with stakeholders, develop robust and comprehensive national data and mapping to inform land use planning decisions and identify appropriate sites for green energy projects.

6.167The Committee recommends that the Australian Government allocate funding to support research and commercial opportunities to reuse and recycle products, equipment, and infrastructure in Australia’s transition to a green energy superpower.

6.168The Committee recommends that the Australian Government examine whether Prescribed Body Corporates are adequately supported to ensure the capacity of First Nations people and communities to engage in and benefit from Australia’s green energy transition.

6.169The Committee recommends that the Australian Government, through the First Nations Clean Energy Strategy, consider how First Nations people, communities, and businesses can be supported to increase direct participation and ownership in green energy projects.

6.170The Committee recommends that the Australian Government, in consultation with states and territories, accelerate development of targeted green energy skills and capabilities to ensure that the workforce can support Australia’s green energy superpower transition.

6.171The Committee recommends that the National Reconstruction Fund prioritise support for projects that enhance sovereign manufacturing capability in sectors subject to current and potential future global supply chain constraints.