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

Tim’s interview starts at 3:06:00 Tim Buckley criticised opposition proposals to extend ageing coal-fired power stations and subsidise nuclear energy, arguing they would cost taxpayers “tens to hundreds of billions”, potentially up to a trillion dollars. He said falling wholesale electricity prices in eastern Australia, down 12% year-on-year in early 2026, showed renewable energy and batteries were already lowering costs. Buckley argued recent energy price spikes were caused by fossil fuel volatility following Russian invasion of Ukraine, not the renewable transition. Discussing Origin Energy’s Eraring plant, he warned ageing coal stations were unreliable and prone to catastrophic failures. Read more

Jim Chalmers on Tuesday night described the 2026-27 budget as “the most important and ambitious … in decades.” And while “climate” did not rate a single mention in the federal treasurer’s speech, “getting through the global oil shock and building resilience” topped his five-part economic strategy. But Chalmers’ strategy is notably lacking in ambition on new funding for climate and renewables – and has failed to act on what is broadly considered to be the clearest political mandate, yet, to reform fossil fuel tax loopholes and subsidies. Climate Energy Finance director Tim Buckley – while noting the $60 billion of decarbonisation and Future Made in Australia funding initiatives put in place over the last four Chalmers budgets – says this is a “glaring omission” in the context of the global fossil fuel shock and cost-of-living crisis. Read more

The country achieved the goal of adding 1,200 GW of wind and solar capacity to the grid by 2030 five years ahead of schedule. China also produces over 80% of the world’s photovoltaic panels, helping drive down costs and accelerating the clean energy transition globally. Its quest to rid itself of dependence on foreign oil and gas has been the chief inspiration for the rapid expansion of domestic energy sources and electrification, says Tim Buckley, director of Australian think tank Climate Energy Finance. Beijing invested early in electric vehicles, and batteries, noted Buckley. Fossil fuel-free vehicles now account for more than half of all car sales in China, compared with about 19% in the European Union. Read more