We conduct public interest financial analysis on the most profound economic transformation since the industrial revolution: the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy.
About
Climate Energy Finance (CEF) is a think tank established in 2022 that works probono in the public interest to accelerate decarbonisation. We conduct research and analyses on global financial issues related to the global energy transition from fossil fuels to clean energy, as well as the implications for the Australian economy, with a key focus on the threats and opportunities for Australian investments and exports. Read more
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The 4th Climate Investor Forum 2026
The 4th Climate Investor Forum was held on 17–18 February 2026 at Centrepiece, Melbourne, bringing together delegates to explore climate […] Read more
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OP ED | War on Iran signals urgent need for Australia to end risky imported oil dependency
Pearls & Irritations
The widening conflict in the Gulf has exposed Australia’s extreme reliance on imported oil. With minimal fuel reserves and a $12 billion annual diesel subsidy to mining, energy security has become a national security emergency. The last several days have underscored the existential risk Australia runs by remaining addicted to imported fossil fuels. On 28 February, the US and Israel launched a preemptive war against Iran. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed. The conflict is now widening regionally, impacting energy markets worldwide. Yet the Australian government provides a $12 billion annual subsidy to keep us addicted to imported diesel, undermining our clean energy-powered Future Made In Australia, energy security and decarbonisation objectives. Read more
Australian renewables pipeline “running laps” around net zero targets. It’s the pace that is lacking
Renew Economy
Nevertheless, the numbers show investment in new projects is “running laps around the targets required for Australia to hit its net zero targets”, says Climate Energy Finance director Tim Buckley. “The best way to get Australian energy prices trending down sustainably is to get more net new supply of generation online ahead of demand growth,” he said on LinkedIn. “Rooftop solar and 250,000 [behind the meter] batteries really help solve this challenge, but we need a lot more utility scale projects – scale and speed!” Read more
How will datacentres affect Australia’s power prices, water supply and emissions?
The Guardian
A coalition of energy and environment groups, including the Clean Energy Council, Electrical Trades Union, Australian Conservation Foundation and Climate Energy Finance, proposed a set of “public interest principles for datacentres” that include investing in new renewable energy and using water responsibly. “If you want to build a datacentre, you should have to build the renewables and water recycling to power it,” the ACF chief executive, Adam Bandt, said. “Big tech corporations should be forced to do their fair share so they don’t drain our resources.” The Australian Energy Council says key policy questions still need answering: will datacentres need to be 100% renewable? And will that be based on total demand, or take into account when the electricity is being used? Read more
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