Our plan for a National Low Income Energy Productivity Program

We can build back stronger from the COVID-19 crisis. 

Government stimulus spending is an important opportunity to address our community’s existing needs and to face up to the challenge of the climate emergency.

Together with a coalition of over 50 community organisations, Renew is calling for a National Low Income Energy Productivity Program that will create jobs now and leave lasting benefits.

Improving the energy performance of homes is a win-win-win: it means lower power bills, better health outcomes, and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

But the upfront costs of energy efficiency improvements and solar too often mean that people on low incomes are left paying high energy bills or living in unhealthy homes. Rental homes and social housing homes are less energy efficient on average than owner-occupied homes.

Our plan calls for public funds to invest in energy assessments, upgrades, and solar PV installations for up to 1.7 million homes.

The plan includes:

  • Social housing – Federal and state/territory governments provide matching funds to invest in energy efficiency upgrades and solar PV installations for social housing dwellings.
  • Low-income home owners – The Federal Government partner with state/territory, local councils and community organisations to provide energy efficiency audits, upgrades and solar PV installations for low-income owner occupiers.
  • Inefficient rental properties – Over the next two to three years, COAG Energy Council is working on a proposal to implement mandatory energy efficiency standards for rental properties. In the meantime, the Federal Government could provide grants to landlords to support the upgrade of poor performing rental properties.
  • Low-income appliance replacement offer – Governments provide subsidies for low-income households to replace inefficient appliances, or purchase more energy efficient appliances.

Read the full plan here.