Our vision
A world in which communities thrive in a way that does not cost the earth.
Our mission
To inspire, enable, and advocate for people to live sustainably in their homes and communities.
Our goal is that by 2025 sustainable living in Australia will:
- Be a common expectation for Australian households.
- Be increasingly affordable and accessible.
- Have broad–based political support.
- Occur at a scale where it creates its own momentum.
Impact
Renew has had many Australian firsts including owning a community wind farm at Breamlea in Victoria, national sustainability education tours with our Energy Mobile in the 1980’s and Australia’s first trial of greywater systems in response to growing interest in water saving during the millennium drought. As well as leading the way in making it easier for home solar systems to be connected to the grid by actively lobbying for consistent agreements and financial incentives.
The achievements of Renew continue to grow with ever-increasing numbers of people wanting to learn how to live more sustainably. Today Renew engages with more than 250,000 people each year around Australia and overseas.
We are well recognised for our leadership in taking practical action on climate change.
Climate Change Leadership NSW Green Globe Awards 2017
Climate Change Leadership UNAA Climate Action Awards 2017
Climate Education and Engagement Award Climate Action Awards 2017
Clean Energy Award UNAA World Environment Day Awards 2016
Victoria Premier's Sustainability Awards 2019 - Community Category
Enabling the solar revolution
An example of how Renew makes an impact is our work supporting solar for households. Renew members were among the first people to install solar on their homes and faced many barriers including negotiating connection to the grid and a lack of independent information on what to buy. Renew conducted an integrated approach to the problem including:
- Research: Renew conducted research into the barriers faced by rooftop-solar households.
- Independent information: Provided independent information on solar systems to make it easier for homeowners to choose and install a system. This includes the Solar Power Buyers Guides, Solar Electricity: Plan Your Own Solar Electricity System booklet as well as presentations at home shows and community events country-wide.
- Case studies: Renew profiled case studies of houses with grid-connected solar in our ReNew magazine
- One-on-one advice: Through our advice service- currently paused.
- Advocate for reform: Renew worked with government, industry bodies and energy retailers to provide guidelines, codes and regulations to simplify the process.
The nearly 2 million Australian households with rooftop solar have benefited from Renew’s comprehensive approach.
A similar approach is being taken with the growing interest in household battery storage. Renew has conducted independent research and economic modelling, developed the Sunulator –a free, online solar and battery storage calculator, battery storage updates and case studies in our ReNew and Sanctuary magazines. In partnership with the NSW Government Renew developed Australia’s first consumer guide on residential battery storage.
Impact investment finances indigenous solar project
Kurrawang Aboriginal Christian Community is going solar, coordinator Rowena Leslie, Tristan Leslie, 3 and Zasco Electrical’s Scott Nichol. Picture: Leticia Laing
In what is believed to be an Australian first, a 139-panel solar system has been installed at an indigenous community in WA with the help of an ‘impact investment’ loan. The solar system was a joint project of Renew and the Kurrawang board, with $52,500 in finance loaned by the McKinnon Family Foundation and CAGES Foundation.
[A] wide range of channels and activities (from magazines to advisory services and public events) to deliver tangible support and value to households, community and business. – UNAA award judges