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
Our Work
AGL | CEF NEWS UPDATES | CEF SERIES ON CRITICAL MINERALS | China | Coal/electricity/electrification | Critical minerals | Decarbonisation | Energy Crisis | Finance Sector & Emissions | Green Iron | Hydrogen | India & Adani | Monthly China Energy Updates | Nuclear | Submissions | Taxes & subsidies | US IRA/ NZIA et al |
SUBMISSION | Senate Inquiry into Hydrogen and Critical Minerals Production Tax Credits in the Future Made in Australia Legislation
CEF’s submission to Senate Economics Legislation Committee Inquiry into The Future Made in Australia (Production Tax Credits and Other Measures) Bill 2024 [Provisions]. The submission was written by CEF’s Matt Pollard. CEF has published the submission following the public release by the Senate on 13 January 2025. Read more
OP ED | MYEFO: nothingburger on green iron, Australia’s #1 economic opportunity, but some bright spots on renewables
On 18 December 2024, Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Finance Minister Kety Gallagher released the Albanese Government’s 2024-25 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO). This comes after the 2024-25 budget, released in May, announced $21bn in new funding initiatives under the landmark Future Made in Australia (FMIA) framework. Read more
REPORT | Australia is seeing an Acceleration in our Electricity Sector Transition, putting our 82% Renewables by 2030 Target in reach
Our new report finds that new investment and policy support is key, as is accelerated planning evaluation and approvals if Australia is to reach its target of 82% renewables by 2030 and an acceleration in the last 6 months now means if the current rate of progress is maintained the target is achievable. Read more
Media
AGL China Coal Critical minerals Decarbonisation Electricity/electrification Energy crisis Finance Sector & Emissions Green Iron/Steel Hydrogen India & Adani Nuclear offshore wind OP EDS Renewables Taxes and subsidies TIM BUCKLEY ON THE SPARK CLUB PODCAST US IRA/EU NZIA et al
Xi Jinping’s energy plan for China: Everything, everywhere, all at once
The Australian
While Xi’s Communist Party won’t be rushed as it transitions China’s electricity network, it sees a huge opportunity in the global shift. “China wants to dominate the industries of the future,” says Tim Buckley, the Sydney-based head of Climate Energy Finance, a clean energy think tank. In sector after sector from wind farms to solar panels to battery storage to the rollout of new fourth-generation nuclear power technology, China now leads the world. “I have been watching China for 15 years and they’ve exceeded every expectation I had in terms of their investment and the longevity of their strategic thinking,” says Buckley, who used to be the head of research at Citigroup’s Australian hub. Read more
Renewable energy projects ‘slow-walked’ in face of Dutton’s nuclear promise, union says
Capital Brief
Tim Buckley, founder and director of Climate Energy Finance, said Australia had clearly seen significant uncertainty in the development of offshore wind, where the Coalition’s overt opposition had undermined momentum. But he said the economics of offshore wind had also taken a hit in recent years, which had been a global trend. Buckley has not seen evidence that investors are pulling out of the development of onshore renewables and batteries as a result of the Coalition’s nuclear policy. A report released by his firm this week found that investment activity over the past six months put Australia on track to deliver on the Government’s 2030 target of 82% renewables share in the energy grid. Read more
The solar rush: A planet-wide solar boom has been beating expectations at every turn. And it’s only just the beginning.
ABC online
The rise of solar in the subcontinent has been all about government subsidies and massive arrays out in the desert. “India sees the opportunity to build energy security, grid diversity and reduce their massive over-reliance on imported fossil fuels,” says Tim Buckley, the director of Climate Energy Finance. It’s a familiar dynamic: fossil fuels falling into structural decline as massive new solar farms come online. And while solar continues its march towards super-cheap, super-abundant energy generation during the day, it’s over to another technology to continue the clean-energy transition into the night. “Solar was the disruption of last decade,” says Tim Buckley. “Batteries will be the disruption of this coming decade.” 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
Read our privacy statement here.