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Australia’s energy future – progress, practical solutions and possibilities, S26 Ep24
This week on EarthChat we want to focus on some of the key issues facing Australia’s energy future including excellent progress being made towards sustainable transport options and the policy developments and behavioural changes needed to meet our future energy needs and climate change challenges.
Our first guest is Mr Stuart Locke, General Manager, Seymour Coaches and President of the Bus Association of Victoria who has been responsible for the successful implementation of the Zero Emissions Electric Bus Trial here in Seymour over the last 3 years. Stuart will discuss the findings of the program and how this is influencing future decisions and purchases that will reduce emissions and provide cost effective options in regional areas.
Our second guest is Mr Thom Woodroofe, a Senior International Fellow with the Smart Energy Council and author of the recently released book “Power, Prosperity and Planet: Climate and Energy Policy for All”. With an extensive background in policy development, diplomacy and international climate change negotiations, Thom is well placed to recommend practical solutions for an optimistic energy future that addresses the economic and climate related concerns of all Australians.
SHOW NOTES
Seymour Coaches – Seymour Passenger Services https://seymourcoaches.com.au/
Seymour Bus officially unveils first Victorian all-electric bus network - Australasian Bus and Coach
https://www.busnews.com.au/seymour-bus-officially-unveils-first-victorian-all-electric-bus-network/
Seymour leads the way with first regional Victorian ZEB network - Australasian Bus and Coach
https://www.busnews.com.au/seymour-leads-the-way-with-first-regional-victorian-zeb-network/
Why electric buses are the future of public transport https://www.commbank.com.au/business/brighter-perspectives/why-electric-buses-are-the-future-of-public-transport.html
The environmental and public health benefits of electric buses https://www.innovationnewsnetwork.com/the-environmental-and-public-health-benefits-of-electric-buses/50046/
Why Australian Cities Are Betting on Electric Buses (And What It Means for You) - Sustainable living guide
https://www.sustainablelivingguide.com.au/why-australian-cities-are-betting-on-electric-buses-and-what-it-means-for-you/
Thom Woodroofe - Monash University Publishing https://publishing.monash.edu/authors/thom-woodroofe/
Power, Prosperity and Planet: Climate and Energy Policy for All” , 2026
Smart Energy Council https://smartenergy.org.au
An independent body accelerating Australia’s clean energy future by promoting smart energy solutions in national policy and promoting investment and secure jobs in the transition from fossil fuels to widespread deployment of renewable energy souces, improved battery technology and industry led stewardship programs that recover valuable materials like copper, aluminium and silver for future infrastructure and significantly cut landfill waste
United Nations 2015 Paris Agreement Https://unfccc.int
A legally binding international treaty on climate change aiming to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius to avoid more severe climate change impacts including more frequent and sev ere, droughts, heatwaves and storms.
In January 2026 there were 194 Parties to the Agreement who submit National Climate Action Plans (known as Nationally Determined Contributions). Each successive NDC is meant to reflect an increasing level of ambition in their 2030 targets compared to the previous version.
Australia’s current 2035 target is 62-70 percent reduction below 2005 levels, and this aligns with Australia’s net zero plan of Net Zero by 2050 https://www.dcceew.gov.au
Sun Cable/Australian Renewable Energy Hub, www.solardirectory.com.au
The A$30 billion Sun Cable crash is a setback but doesn't spell the end of Australia's renewable energy export dreams https://www.thetimes.com.au/world/19603-the-a$30-billion-sun-cable-crash-is-a-setback-but-doesn-t-spell-the-end-of-australia-s-renewable-energy-export-dreams
Australian Renewable Energy Hub https://research.csiro.au/hyresource/australian-renewable-energy-hub/
Beyond Zero Emissions www.bze.org.au
Australian based climate change think tank creating solutions for a prosperous, zero emissions future including regional Action Plans and promoting Australian clean technologies that can accelerate progress.
The Superpower Institute www.superpowerinstitute.com.au
A not for profit organisation, founded in 2023 by Ross Garnaut and Rod Sims dedicated to helping Australia seize the huge economic opportunities for Australia to become a major exporter of renewable energy and green industrial products. By demonstrating the comparative advantage of this approach they seek to influence policy and industry to ensure that Australia capitalises on the global energy transition.
Australian Climate Service www.acs.gov.au
Established to provide improved data and expert advice on climate risks and impacts to support preparedness and decision making including Climate services for Agriculture and a Drought Resilience Assessment Tool.
View all episodes
By BEAM Mitchell Environment Group IncThis week on EarthChat we want to focus on some of the key issues facing Australia’s energy future including excellent progress being made towards sustainable transport options and the policy developments and behavioural changes needed to meet our future energy needs and climate change challenges.
Our first guest is Mr Stuart Locke, General Manager, Seymour Coaches and President of the Bus Association of Victoria who has been responsible for the successful implementation of the Zero Emissions Electric Bus Trial here in Seymour over the last 3 years. Stuart will discuss the findings of the program and how this is influencing future decisions and purchases that will reduce emissions and provide cost effective options in regional areas.
Our second guest is Mr Thom Woodroofe, a Senior International Fellow with the Smart Energy Council and author of the recently released book “Power, Prosperity and Planet: Climate and Energy Policy for All”. With an extensive background in policy development, diplomacy and international climate change negotiations, Thom is well placed to recommend practical solutions for an optimistic energy future that addresses the economic and climate related concerns of all Australians.
SHOW NOTES
Seymour Coaches – Seymour Passenger Services https://seymourcoaches.com.au/
Seymour Bus officially unveils first Victorian all-electric bus network - Australasian Bus and Coach
https://www.busnews.com.au/seymour-bus-officially-unveils-first-victorian-all-electric-bus-network/
Seymour leads the way with first regional Victorian ZEB network - Australasian Bus and Coach
https://www.busnews.com.au/seymour-leads-the-way-with-first-regional-victorian-zeb-network/
Why electric buses are the future of public transport https://www.commbank.com.au/business/brighter-perspectives/why-electric-buses-are-the-future-of-public-transport.html
The environmental and public health benefits of electric buses https://www.innovationnewsnetwork.com/the-environmental-and-public-health-benefits-of-electric-buses/50046/
Why Australian Cities Are Betting on Electric Buses (And What It Means for You) - Sustainable living guide
https://www.sustainablelivingguide.com.au/why-australian-cities-are-betting-on-electric-buses-and-what-it-means-for-you/
Thom Woodroofe - Monash University Publishing https://publishing.monash.edu/authors/thom-woodroofe/
Power, Prosperity and Planet: Climate and Energy Policy for All” , 2026
Smart Energy Council https://smartenergy.org.au
An independent body accelerating Australia’s clean energy future by promoting smart energy solutions in national policy and promoting investment and secure jobs in the transition from fossil fuels to widespread deployment of renewable energy souces, improved battery technology and industry led stewardship programs that recover valuable materials like copper, aluminium and silver for future infrastructure and significantly cut landfill waste
United Nations 2015 Paris Agreement Https://unfccc.int
A legally binding international treaty on climate change aiming to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius to avoid more severe climate change impacts including more frequent and sev ere, droughts, heatwaves and storms.
In January 2026 there were 194 Parties to the Agreement who submit National Climate Action Plans (known as Nationally Determined Contributions). Each successive NDC is meant to reflect an increasing level of ambition in their 2030 targets compared to the previous version.
Australia’s current 2035 target is 62-70 percent reduction below 2005 levels, and this aligns with Australia’s net zero plan of Net Zero by 2050 https://www.dcceew.gov.au
Sun Cable/Australian Renewable Energy Hub, www.solardirectory.com.au
The A$30 billion Sun Cable crash is a setback but doesn't spell the end of Australia's renewable energy export dreams https://www.thetimes.com.au/world/19603-the-a$30-billion-sun-cable-crash-is-a-setback-but-doesn-t-spell-the-end-of-australia-s-renewable-energy-export-dreams
Australian Renewable Energy Hub https://research.csiro.au/hyresource/australian-renewable-energy-hub/
Beyond Zero Emissions www.bze.org.au
Australian based climate change think tank creating solutions for a prosperous, zero emissions future including regional Action Plans and promoting Australian clean technologies that can accelerate progress.
The Superpower Institute www.superpowerinstitute.com.au
A not for profit organisation, founded in 2023 by Ross Garnaut and Rod Sims dedicated to helping Australia seize the huge economic opportunities for Australia to become a major exporter of renewable energy and green industrial products. By demonstrating the comparative advantage of this approach they seek to influence policy and industry to ensure that Australia capitalises on the global energy transition.
Australian Climate Service www.acs.gov.au
Established to provide improved data and expert advice on climate risks and impacts to support preparedness and decision making including Climate services for Agriculture and a Drought Resilience Assessment Tool.