The Western Australian Government has created a $750 million Climate Action Fund in the 2021-22 State Budget, to develop climate-resilient communities through sustainable jobs, industry innovation and protecting environmental heritage assets.
Building on the Western Australian Climate Policy, the Climate Action Fund will invest in sustainable Western Australian employment options, amongst other initiatives, to ensure a low-carbon future, with the state government committed to transitioning the state’s economy to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
The State Budget delivers a suite of measures designed to address the threat of climate change and help industry flourish to create sustainable jobs.
The Western Australian Government’s Climate Action Fund includes:
- $350 million: to significantly expand the state’s softwood plantation estate, creating jobs and increasing sustainability of the industry
- $206 million: for renewable energy initiatives to fuel the state’s future, including standalone power stations, clean energy in schools, wind turbine manufacturing, refurbishment of Denham Power Station and $1 million for research into the viability of a local green steel industry
- $118 million fund: to invest in future climate-related initiatives to respond to climate change and create climate-resilient communities
- $50 million: to drive new renewable hydrogen initiatives
- $26 million: for Carbon Innovation Grants and to help manage coastal erosion
In addition to the Climate Action Fund, the 2021-22 State Budget also includes a number of other climate action initiatives:
- $15 million: for the Agriculture Climate Resilience Fund
- $14 million: for a grant program to support a ban on e-waste in landfill by 2024
- $13 million: for the Household Energy Efficiency Scheme
- $4.8 million: for six Virtual Power Plants at Kalgoorlie and Geraldton public schools
- $2 million: for additional expenditure from the Establishing and Maintaining Native Vegetation Offsets Account over 2021-22 and 2022-23
A further $4.2 million has been allocated in the State Budget to support the development of the next Forest Management Plan.
Western Australian Premier, Mark McGowan, said, “My Government is committed to working with all sectors of the economy to achieve net zero by 2050 to create low-carbon jobs and develop new industries.
“Today’s State Budget progresses our plans for a low-carbon economy and developing more climate-resilient communities throughout Western Australia.
“Our $350 million boost for softwood plantations will provide ongoing certainty and supply for the housing and construction sectors, supporting thousands of local jobs.”
Western Australian Energy Minister, Bill Johnston, said, “The McGowan Government is committed to clean, green energy initiatives to ensure the State has a secure and reliable energy supply into the future.
“We are investing in innovative energy solutions that can be rolled out immediately, and also providing funding for future low-carbon energy projects that will support local jobs.
“By developing new renewable energy technologies we can reduce energy costs and meet our commitment of net zero emissions by 2050.”
For more information, visit: https://www.ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au
