Unlocking WA’s energy transition: Our 2025 election platform

The energy transition is well underway in Western Australia, but a lack of certainty, transparency, and proactive engagement on many fronts has made for a slow start. While our state government understands the importance of this transition and has produced a slew of strategies, policies, and commitments, actual progress remains slow.

WA is the only state or territory in Australia without a renewable energy target, and only WA and the NT have failed to legislate emissions reduction targets; it’s unsurprising, then, that these jurisdictions have the lowest shares of electricity generated from renewable sources in the country [1], and are the only two jurisdictions where total emissions have continued to rise since 2005 [2].

The Cook government is taking steps in the right direction, and we’re confident they’ll agree that what’s needed now to unlock progress in WA’s energy transition are ambitious targets and practical plans.

We need a Climate Bill that sets out an ambitious targets for emissions reduction and for renewable energy generation and storage, along with clear timelines for when we aim to meet those targets. And we need coherent, practical, and fully-funded plans for how we’re going to get there, including a plan for renewables in our regions and a plan for renewables on our rooftops.

What we’d like to see:

1. A Climate Bill with 1.5°C-aligned targets: A Climate Change Bill that legislates 1.5°C-aligned targets for renewable energy, emissions reduction, and energy storage for 2030 through to 2050.
2. A plan for renewables in our regions: A clear, joined-up energy transition plan committing to proactive, transparent, and iterative mapping and planning to increase public, industry, and investor confidence in the rollout of renewable energy and related infrastructure in WA’s regions. A community engagement and benefit policy committing to proactive and transparent engagement with regional communities about renewable energy infrastructure and establishing a consistent framework for community benefit schemes.
3. A plan for renewables on our rooftops: A household electrification and energy efficiency policy including targeted subsidies that enable more Western Australians to access solar, batteries, electric appliances, and thermal improvements, paired with government-funded electrification of social housing and protections for renters to ensure they can share in the benefits.

Are you with us? Read the full platform here, then take action to help make it a reality!

References:

1. Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (2024). Australian Energy Statistics, Table O: Electricity generation by fuel type 2022-23 and 2023. https://www.energy.gov.au/publications/australianenergy-statistics-table-o-electricity-generation-fuel-type-2022-23-and-2023
2. Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (2024). Annual Climate Change Statement 2024, Table 1: National, state and territory emissions reduction targets and progress since 2005. https://www.dcceew.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/annual-climate-change-statement-2024.pdf