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
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Strengthening the Superannuation Performance Test (May 2026)
The Climate Capital Forum welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Treasury’s consultation on Strengthening the Superannuation Performance Test. Australia’s $4.4 trillion superannuation system represents the single largest economic lever available to mobilise the productive capital required for the domestic energy transition. However, the current 10-year backward-looking test creates systemic, unintended consequences. It forces registrable superannuation entity (RSE) licensees to “hug” narrow index benchmarks, heavily penalising the highly differentiated, long-term investment strategies required to finance real-economy decarbonisation. Read more
PRESENTATION | Global Energy Transition
Lighter Footprints presents Dr Monique Ryan MP | Implications for Australia | Hawthorn Town Hall | 9 June 2026 Read more
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Queensland’s Critical Minerals Budget and Coal Focus 2026-27
Discovery Alert
Climate Energy Finance analyst Matt Pollard has argued publicly that applying maintenance capital to ageing coal generators, without simultaneously building out low-cost renewable replacement capacity, creates compounding risks for the Queensland grid. His position is that the economic and environmental sustainability of the grid is placed under increasing stress when the approach focuses on preserving legacy assets rather than enabling their replacement. Read more
Few clean energy surprises in New South Wales budget
The Energy
NSW stood to gain almost $265 million from the US-Iran-Israel war, with the 2026-27 budget revising royalties up by $84 million in 2025-26 and $186 million in 2026-27. Pollard attributed this to higher thermal coal prices that stemmed from disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz, which directly affected oil and petrochemical derivatives but also coal, which is benchmarked against Brent Crude prices. Read more
OP ED | A tale of two budgets: A win for cheaper, cleaner energy in one state, more “coal-keeper” in the other
Renew Economy
NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey was unequivocal on the central role of energy transition in economic growth and prosperity. Mookhey emphasised that the renewables transition is a top driver of investment into the state, with renewable energy infrastructure a significant contributor to the 20% surge in investment over the year to the March quarter 2026. Read more
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