Home Property Australia 88 per cent of voters want governments to invest in energy efficiency

88 per cent of voters want governments to invest in energy efficiency

  • April 30, 2018

88 per cent of voters want governments to invest in energy efficiency

In a strong message to both the Federal and state governments, a survey of community views by YouGov Galaxy this month has found 88 per cent of respondents want Governments to invest in energy efficiency.

The survey, commissioned by the Energy Efficiency Council, the Property Council of Australia and the Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS) of 1,000 respondents found that 88 per cent strongly support or support greater government investment in energy efficiency and 83 per cent wanted the Government to regulate electricity prices.

“The community has spoken, and it has spoken loud and clear and there are lessons for both Federal and State Governments; the public want more action on energy to ensure reliable supply, continued support for renewables and greater investment in energy efficiency,” Property Council NSW Executive Director Jane Fitzgerald said.         

“90 per cent of respondents believe that it’s important or very important for governments to help reduce households’ and businesses’ energy bills; by taking action we can bring down the cost of living and make it more affordable to do business.” 

The International Energy Agency reports that energy efficiency programs in many other countries have cut households’ bills by 10 to 30 per cent in recent years.

“The community is more concerned about energy costs than private health costs, fuels costs, mortgages or food and groceries; it’s a major concern across the community.

“The NSW Government released the excellent $0 Million Environmental Investment Package that included the Plan to Save NSW Energy and Money well over a year ago now and we stand at the ready to work with the Government on its implementation. The money for this package has been drawn form NSW businesses and households so it is important it is spent well. 

“The property industry has been a leader on sustainability and energy efficiency because buildings account for 23 per cent of Australia’s emissions; energy standards for new buildings should go up over time and it makes sense to start now rather than force dislocating change later. Comprehensive, implementable government policy on energy efficiency is critical to reduce the cost pressure on businesses and the community and reduce our impact on the environment.”      

The survey found that:

  • 90 per cent of voters think that it is important or very important that governments help reduce households’ and businesses’ energy bills
  • Energy efficiency was the most popular energy policy option:
  • 88 per cent of voters support government investment in energy efficiency, and just 5 per cent oppose it, giving a net support of 83 per cent.
  • Voters were more divided on whether government should invest in new coal-fired generators, with just 4 per cent net support, and
  • More voters opposed than supported reducing incentives for renewable energy and energy storage, with 16 per cent net opposition.
  • Voters supported a wide range of specific energy efficiency policies, including:
  • 79 per cent support for incentives to upgrade commercial buildings
  • 80 per cent support for minimum standards for rental homes to ensure that they are safe, comfortable and have low energy bills, and
  • 92 per cent support for upgrading the energy efficiency of public buildings such as schools and hospitals.