Government plans to cut funding by 14.5% to the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) - a total of $435 million - are an “own goal for direct action” on climate change, according to Australian Solar Council Chief Executive John Grimes.
“ARENA has played a critical role in supporting world-leading solar research and development and ARENA funding support has allowed Australia to remain at the cutting edge of solar innovation,” said Grimes.
“The Australian Solar Council calls on the Parliament to block any attempt to gut the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.”
While the government is determined to abolish the carbon tax, it has expressed no urgency when in comes to its own climate programs, Grimes claims.
“The solar industry takes the government at its word when it says it is committed to tackling climate change and supporting the renewable energy industry in Australia, but so far we have only seen one half of the equation - the cuts. Where are the government’s positive policies for direct action on climate change?
“The work that ARENA does is an excellent example of direct action. This independent agency, with its annual funding prescribed in legislation, backs practical programs. This is about real action in the real world.”
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