First Fuel

On this special episode of First Fuel we catch up with Australia's Assistant Minster for Climate and Energy Josh Wilson on the ground at COP29 in Azerbaijan.

Luke and Josh discuss the impact of Donald Trump's election on global climate talks, how we're tracking on the big global energy efficiency target set at COP28, and how global factors will impact Australia's emissions reduction ambition as we look towards 2035.

On this episode of First Fuel we're joined by Climate Change Authority CEO Brad Archer to dig into their latest blockbuster report, the 2024 Sector Pathways Review.

This a big report that digs deep into decarbonisation pathways for six key economic sectors, as well as the cross cutting actions governments will need to pursue to get us on a trajectory to net zero by 2050.

Luke caught up with Brad at CCA HQ in Canberra to talk about the big take outs from the report, the implications for Australia's 2035 emissions reduction target, and what the CCA means when it talks about a 'zero carbon mindset'.

On 1 August, Matt Kean will become chair of the https://www.climatechangeauthority.gov.au/.

In Episode 91 of First Fuel, EEC CEO Luke Menzel is joined by Victoria’s Minister for Climate Action, Energy and Resources, and Minister for State Electricity Commission, Lily D’Ambrosio.

As Australia’s longest serving current Minister for Energy – and with Victoria’s ambitious decarbonisation targets and a range of new policy measures – Minister D’Ambrosio had plenty to catch us up on.

In this 30 minute deep dive, Luke and the Minister trade war stories after a decade in their respective roles, and cover both the details and the vision behind:

- the minimum rental standards currently out for consultation in Victoria

- the first strategic review of the flagship Victorian Energy Upgrades program as it reaches its 15th birthday

- Showing industry what’s possible via Victoria’s Large Energy User Electrification Support Program

- the role of the federal government to work with the states via programs such as GEMS

… and much more.

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lilydambrosio.com.au

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To find out how you can listen to an upcoming episode of First Fuel live, visit www.eec.org.au/podcasts

First Fuel returns with a very special episode this month, featuring none other than Amory Lovins, co-founder of RMI and an Adjunct Professor at Stanford University.

At the end of an incredible week that included Australia's first Industrial Decarbonisation Summit and the 2024 EEC National Conference, Amory joined our host and EEC CEO Luke Menzel to reflect on where Australia finds itself at this point in our energy transition.

Luke and Amory also discussed Amory's history with Australia, his thoughts on the potential for energy management in the near and long-term future, nuclear power and much more. As you'd expect from the man dubbed 'the Einstein of Energy Efficiency' this is a wide-ranging, solutions-focussed 30 minutes of conversation that is overflowing with ideas.

A guest of the EEC at 2023's National Energy Efficiency Conference, Dr Jessica Granderson

In this episode, Luke and Jessica explore the ins and outs of smart buildings, discussing

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Of the many positives to come from the 2023 National Energy Efficiency Conference, one of the biggest was the opportunity to bring Jan Rosenow to Australia for the first time.

In the world of energy efficiency, Dr Rosenow needs little introduction. With his day job leading European Programs at the Regulatory Assistance Project, Jan also serves on the Executive Committee of the International Energy Agency’s demand-side management program, and sits on the board of the European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (he also makes time to maintain an excellent social media presence).

After delivering his keynote at the conference, Dr Rosenow sat down with EEC CEO Luke Menzel to reflect on how Australia can effectively prioritise our raft of energy challenges. The pair also discuss their confidence in electrification as the way forward in the building sector, the role of electrification relative to hydrogen in other sectors, and why it’s useful to retain a little scepticism around net zero targets if they’re not immediately paired with plans to hit them.

As always, this episode of First Fuel is a freewheeling ride that goes deep with some of the best minds in the energy efficiency business.

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eec.org.au

Last month's National Efficiency Schemes Summit was the first of its kind: a national event bringing together participants in all Australia's state efficiency schemes – a remarkable fact by Energy Savings Industry Association President Rod Woolley.

That industry and government, NGOs and consumer groups from right around Australia had never gathered in one room before before to discuss the schemes was, as Luke says, “kind of bananas.” So with the stage lights still warm, we sat down with three key participants to discuss what the day meant and will continue to mean as Australia's schemes mature and diversify to keep pace with our changing energy systems.

Joining Luke to get out of the weeds and talk scheme strategy and impact are Caroline Bennett, CEO of Green Energy and Carbon Management, Steve Procter from the NSW Office of Energy and Climate Change, and Climateworks Centre's Anna Malos.

For more info on the Summit, head to eec.org.au/ness23.

Earlier this month, some of Australia’s biggest companies released a statement to say that even our heaviest industries can transition their supply chains to net zero emissions, and they’re prepared to put the work in.

It won’t be easy, and the pathway is narrow. But thanks to the work of the Australian Industry Energy Transition Initiative, it’s possible.

In Episode 86 of First Fuel, EEC CEO Luke Menzel is joined by Orica’s Head of Sustainability Troy Powell and Industry Lead at Climateworks Centre, Rob Kelly, to discuss the Energy Transition Initiative and the opportunities it presents to Australian industry.

Read all publications from the Australian Energy Transition Initiative here.

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⁠Find Troy here⁠.

Find Rob here.

 
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Along with ambitious commitments to renewable energy, the Albanese Government has set its sights on decarbonisation and energy efficiency, putting the nation's energy policy wonks to work over the summer.

In Episode 85 of First Fuel, EEC CEO Luke Menzel and EEC Acting Head of Policy Alex St John (a man who in his own words, “skews wonk”) discuss the “Summer of Submissions”.

Luke and Alex unpack the EEC's thoughts on the proposed ⁠National Energy Performance

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Find Alex here.

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Find Luke on Twitter here

Find out more about the Energy Efficiency Council at eec.org.au

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