Industry and community leaders have endorsed The Roadmap to Zero Emissions: Geelong region Jobs Analysis report as the first step in how the transition to renewables should proceed and how it is already playing out. Find the report here.
The report, jointly commissioned by ACF Community Geelong and Geelong Sustainability, concludes that with coordinated planning at all levels of government we would see the creation in the greater Geelong region of more than 24,000 new jobs in in various sectors ranging from building retrofits, renewable energy generation, manufacturing and electric transport in the next five years.
From his perspective as CEO of RACV Solar Andy McCarthy is seeing firsthand jobs being created in the renewables sector.
“As this report shows, the entire supply chain creates a wonderfully diverse range of opportunities that are both sustainable and rewarding,” Mr McCarthy said.
“In our business we have a wide range of skills and backgrounds – from electricians, software developers, engineers and drone pilots, to accountants, warehouse and logistics experts, and project managers.”
Colin Long, transitions officer with Victorian Trades Hall Council, said
“the Jobs Analysis shows what a prosperous zero emissions Geelong could look like. There are many more job opportunities if we shift to a renewables-powered economy. But to make that happen we need to have the right policies in place and a well-funded plan that puts workers and their communities at the centre of the transition. Importantly, we have to take the advice of the UNFCCC and International Energy Agency seriously and put an end to new fossil fuel investments.”
The Committee for Geelong says the report will help the community to understand the economic opportunity to reach zero emissions while creating sustainable jobs in the economy says CEO Jennifer Cromarty.
“Last year our ‘Resilient Geelong’ report recommended this analysis be conducted as a pathway to a zero emissions, future proofed, local economy.
“Next year the Committee for Geelong will embark on a new strategy and we see this Roadmap to Zero Emissions report as a foundation for deeper analysis and a key action area for us for the next 3-4 years.
“Part of that analysis could incorporate new 2021 Census data to update the report, and the potential to develop a business case to define the level of public and private investment required in the region to make these jobs a reality,” Ms Cromarty said.