In 2020, Canberra became the first major city in Australia to decarbonize its electricity grid almost entirely through renewable energy sources, specifically wind and solar. This achievement stands in stark contrast to the broader national context, where Australia ranks at the bottom among OECD nations for clean energy investment. Despite a conservative government’s push for fossil fuels, Canberra’s commitment to renewable energy has led to significant advancements, making it a leader in sustainability and a green outlier in an otherwise coal-reliant nation. The ACT's success illustrates the potential for rapid transition towards renewable energy across Australia.
Holding up a lump of coal in the federal parliament in 2017, Australia's then soon-to-be prime minister Scott Morrison said the fossil fuel was integral to a 'certain energy future.' Yet the capital city he stood in was almost 100% powered by wind and the sun.
In 2021, Canberra was judged the world's most sustainable city by UK energy comparison website, Uswitch. But at the same time, the broader Australian nation ranked bottom among OECD nations on clean energy investment.
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