Abstract

Presented at the Renewable Energy and Regional Australia Conference, held in Bendigo, Victoria, Australia on 16-18 September 2007. (View related News item)

Doing Different Things;
Doing Things Differently

by Karen Faerber and Philip Hall
September 2007

To respond effectively to climate change and the demand for new energy solutions, communities and governments must work together to develop regional adaptation strategies. These adaptation strategies depend upon a clear and consistent national energy strategy that addresses the use of renewable energy sources as well as the environmentally sustainable use of traditional energy sources. The national energy strategy must also place a strong emphasis on energy conservation as well as emphasise integrated solutions, solutions that make use of the best available technologies and can be readily tailored to local requirements. Such solutions evolve as technologies change, and provide a wide range of choices to meet varying social, economic and environmental conditions.

This paper proposes that a localised integrated solution approach be adopted for regional Australia and implemented to the extent that makes good environmental and economic sense for defined localities. The success of even the best integrated energy solutions, however, relies on the will of people to embrace change. Only if governments consistently advocate and reward changes in people’s behaviours that focus on how we produce and consume energy, will we reach a critical mass – a tipping point – at which desired changes no longer occur gradually, but occur dramatically.

This paper proposes that the tipping point for the adoption of renewable energy solutions can be brought about in a relatively short timeframe by putting in place, across all levels of government, a common framework that underpins and unites the energy strategies and solutions not only for regional Australia, but for all Australia. This paper outlines such a framework – a framework through which desired changes in behaviour can be identified and weighted, and the performance toward their achievement can be assessed, rated and monitored. By putting in place this framework, we can more quickly reach the rate of change that will make a difference.
 

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