Media

Climate Energy Finance founder Tim Buckley picks apart China’s growing global dominance in battery supply chains and asks how Australia can chart a path forward on the global stage Read more

Tim Buckley, director of Climate Energy Finance, says Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s visit to Singapore aims to strengthen face-to-face ties and ensure energy security through cooperation with Asian partners. Australia, a major LNG exporter, relies on Singapore for refined fuels, while partners depend on Australian gas. Amid global disruption and high fossil fuel prices, collaboration is vital to reduce supply chain risks. Buckley stresses the importance of commitments from Japan and South Korea, and warns of Australia’s heavy reliance on imported fuel. Long term, he urges electrification and reducing diesel subsidies to cut dependence on imports. Read more

Fuel prices are expected to fall further at the bowser after state premiers agreed to return GST on fuel, potentially cutting costs by around six cents per litre. However, Tim Buckley from Climate Energy Finance warns that cheaper fuel could increase demand at a time when global supply is already constrained due to Middle East tensions. He argues the focus should be on reducing consumption through measures like public transport, remote work, and reduced air travel. With ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and disrupted oil and gas flows, Buckley says supply constraints may persist for months or years, making demand reduction and electrification increasingly important. Read more

Tim Buckley highlights the International Energy Agency’s warning of a severe global energy crisis, noting past price spikes after Russia’s […] Read more

Tim Buckley from Climate Energy Finance warns that China shift puts Australia’s critical minerals exports at risk. He says China’s strategic pivot on critical minerals presents a growing long‑term risk for Australia’s export engine. Buckley notes that structural demand for lithium, rare earths, copper and nickel is rising as the energy transition accelerates, yet China – the world’s largest buyer – is rapidly securing new mining and processing supply offshore. He highlights iron ore as a particular concern, arguing that China’s US$23 billion investment in Guinea for an additional 120 million tonnes of higher‑grade iron ore, alongside steel demand peaking in 2020, poses a structural threat to Australia’s dominant, but lower‑grade, export position. Read more

Michael West is joined by Tim Buckley for a live discussion on energy security, the shift to new energy, and the economic impacts of war. With 35 years of financial markets experience across Australian, Asian and global equities, on both the buy side and sell side, Tim brings deep insight into how conflict, fossil fuel dependence, and energy transition are reshaping markets and national security. Read more

Tim Buckley, CEO of Climate Energy Finance, says Australia should welcome data centre investment linked to AI and renewables, but […] Read more

It has been a year since the Whyalla Steelworks was taken from Sanjeev Gupta’s GFG Alliance under a $2 billion government intervention. The facility now has five shortlisted buyers from Australia, Japan, Korea and India, with the Premier confident a sale will be finalised this year to maximise returns for taxpayers. Twelve months ago, the government faced industrial crises in Port Pirie and Whyalla threatening thousands of jobs. A tour of the Upper Spencer Gulf aimed to highlight that, for now, both the smelter and steelworks are secure, a message Labor hopes resonates with voters next month. Read more

Buckley outlines the national significance of maintaining and modernising steel production in Australia, especially as energy security, manufacturing diversity, and strategic supply become critical priorities. He argues that investment is only justified if operations shift rapidly towards clean and green production—a new electric arc furnace in Whyalla could add significant value. Buckley sees alignment with government strategies such as the “Future Made in Australia” push, warning that private interests alone will rarely deliver transformational change or national benefit. Read more

Tim Buckley from Climate Energy Finance outlines major shifts in global clean energy investment, with Chinese firms committing over $180 billion to overseas projects since early 2023. Buckley points to investments spanning batteries, solar, green hydrogen, and more, across markets such as Vietnam, Portugal, and Saudi Arabia. He notes that Chinese companies are reaching a point of market saturation at home, with fierce competition pushing them to seek opportunities abroad. This international expansion is seen as part of China’s long-term geopolitical strategy, with the nation controlling a significant portion of the clean technology supply chain. Read more

Tim Buckley from Climate Energy Finance highlights global developments at COP30, pointing to the critical importance of aligning global policy with climate science. Buckley notes that Europe has led the way with its robust emissions trading scheme and carbon border adjustment mechanism. Buckley contends Australia should draw inspiration from Europe, especially regarding carbon pricing and enhancing the Albanese government’s safeguard mechanism. Strengthening this mechanism is seen as essential to send a clear price signal for long-term investment and to align with international decarbonisation efforts. This is critical to Australia leveraging its green iron and steelmaking opportunities in SA and in WA, as CEF releases its Whyalla Steelworks decarbonisation report and Rio announces a partnership with Calix to test green steel production in WA. Read more

The National Party has abandoned Net Zero, attributing their decision to research done by their own party-affiliated think tank, the Page Research Centre. Read more