Wind farm with beautiful sunset by the water

We conduct public interest financial analysis on the most profound economic transformation since the industrial revolution: the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy.

Sign up for updates

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

Our Work

Reports and Analysis |  |  Jul 2, 2024

MONTHLY CHINA ENERGY UPDATE | China to Achieve its 2030 Installed Clean Energy Target in July 2024

China will achieve its 1,200GW wind and solar installed capacity by 2030 target by end July 2024, six years ahead of schedule. 103.5GW of zero-emissions capacity was added during the first 5 months of CY2024, as thermal power additions declined by 45% y-o-y as the end of May CY2024 notwithstanding a still exceptionally strong +6.9% y-o-y YTD2024 increase in electricity demand. Read more

Reports and Analysis |  |  Jun 21, 2024

OP ED | Warmer Ties Could Cool the Planet: Potential for Australia-China Green Energy Collaboration 

Australia and China’s improving diplomatic relationship, highlighted by recent high-level meetings and record trade, presents significant opportunities for green energy collaboration. With China facing overcapacity in solar panels, batteries, and electric vehicles, Australia stands to benefit from redirected Chinese investments. By leveraging its abundant renewable resources and enhancing critical mineral processing, Australia can become a more appealing supplier, particularly in the wake of global trade tensions. Read more

Reports and Analysis |  |  Jun 19, 2024

OP ED | Coalition’s Taxpayer-Funded Nuclear ‘Policy’ a Road to Ruin

While the Coalition has failed to release any detail or costings, today we have confirmation that if it gets into office, Australians will be paying a multibillion dollar “nukebuilder” tax for generations to come by being forced to front the cash for a national buildout of government-owned nuclear reactors across 7 locations, including on the sites of former coal-fired power stations. It beggars belief that Opposition Leader Peter Dutton proposes nationalising a nuclear public debt bomb and detonating it at the heart of energy policy in this country. Read more

Media

CEF in the media  |  Jun 29, 2024

Hidden costs? Cheaper energy? ‘Farcical’ locations? Debunking the hype around nuclear

SBS

Tim Buckley, director of think tank Climate Energy Finance, questioned how a form of energy that would produce “zero” electricity for the next 15 to 20 years, could bring down power prices. In the meantime, the Coalition’s plan would undermine investor confidence so Australia didn’t get as much electricity supply from other sources, Buckley said. “Less supply means higher prices — that’s economics 101.” He believes the Coalition’s nuclear strategy could increase electricity prices by 20-50 per cent over the next decade because of the need for more government intervention and funding to extend the life of coal plants. Buckley said the GenCost report — produced by Australia’s national science agency, the CSIRO — found power from nuclear could also be double the price of firmed renewables. “Therefore power prices go up, not down,” he said. Read more

CEF in the media  |  Jun 26, 2024

Coal Push Damps Hopes of China’s Climate Ambition

The Financial Times (UK)

To have a chance of combating climate change, the world needs President Xi Jinping’s administration to find a way to decarbonise China’s economy. The country, with 1.4bn people and a massive industrial economy still highly dependent on coal, is the world’s biggest polluter — accounting for nearly one-third of global carbon emissions. Xuyang Dong, an analyst with CEF, says rapid reductions in the cost of wind, solar and battery storage technologies have sparked a “dramatic” change in the economics underpinning China’s energy system. Dong and colleagues predict that coal will fade over the next 16 years from being a central pillar of China’s power sector to a “back-up role” ensuring stability during the transition to renewables. Read more

CEF in the media  |  Jun 26, 2024

OP ED | Warmer ties could cool the planet: potential for Australia-China green energy collaboration

___

Republished on Pearls & Irritations: Australia and China’s improving diplomatic relationship, highlighted by recent high-level meetings and record trade, presents significant opportunities for green energy collaboration. With China facing overcapacity in solar panels, batteries, and electric vehicles, Australia stands to benefit from redirected Chinese investments. By leveraging its abundant renewable resources and enhancing critical mineral processing, Australia can become a more appealing supplier, particularly in the wake of global trade tensions. Read more

Sign up for updates

Sign up to receive occasional updates on major climate and energy finance news and developments, and notification of new reports, presentations and resources.

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Read our privacy statement here.

Error: