Landmark Joint Statement Unites Tasmanian Sectors on Renewable Energy Future
At a time when the energy and environment movement is at its most politically polarised, 15 leading Tasmanian organisations from wildly different backgrounds: industry, First Nations, environment, housing, climate, and policy sectors have today released a historic Joint Statement on Renewables outlining a shared vision for a just transition to renewable energy in Tasmania.
Environment Tasmania is proud to release the Joint Statement on Renewables: A Just Transition for Tasmania, co-authored by 15 stakeholders from widely different backgrounds including industry, First Nations, climate, community and environment. The groups don’t often speak in unison and have largely different priorities, yet have found common ground on the need for the renewable energy transition to be affordable, equitable, nature-positive, and grounded in community consent. This statement cuts through recent conflict in the energy sector around Marinus and calls on the next Tasmanian Government to lead a more democratic and transparent renewable energy rollout that benefits both nature and communities.
Maddie McShane, Climate and Energy Campaigner at Environment Tasmania, says this statement is about uniting voices around a shared vision “This statement offers a shared vision for renewable energy, communities and nature to thrive together. It shifts the conversation from conflicts to solutions.”
This statement is especially pertinent given the recent division in the energy sector over decisions made around Marinus. The signatories hold diverse views on Marinus – from strong supporters to vocal critics – but are united in the call for a better, more transparent planning and decision-making process for Tasmania’s energy future.
“What Tasmania desperately needs now is a new standard of democracy in decision-making on energy…. We need a thorough, evidence-based review of all available energy options, comparing costs, reliability, and impacts on the environment and communities.” Said Kim Phillips Haines, Principal Petitioner of Tas Power Democracy, a signatory to the statement. McShane comments: “Recent secrecy around Marinus has seriously undermined public trust in government decision making on energy. This statement urgently calls on the incoming Tasmanian government to lead a transparent, democratic, and just energy transition for Tasmania.”
The statement outlines eight clear principles for a fair and sustainable energy transition, including the need for coordinated planning, benefit sharing with host communities, stronger environmental protections, support for household electrification and energy efficiency, and opposition to the privatisation of existing public energy assets.
Ray Mostogl, CEO of Tasmanian Minerals, Manufacturing and Energy Council, helped develop and sign onto this statement, saying: “A just transition means communities must see real benefits – not just from lower emissions, but also through jobs, investment, and contributions that improve wellbeing. We support transparent benefit sharing frameworks that reflect the value regional areas provide to the energy system.”
At its core, the statement recognises that to earn and maintain public trust, the energy transition must leave communities better off – socially, economically, and environmentally.
In an era of escalating climate risk and mounting public concern around how renewable projects are rolled out, the Joint Statement offers a clear and constructive path forward – one rooted in transparency, respect, and collaboration.