The Rolling Stones made ‘you can’t always get what you want’ in the 1960’s, but the message has new impact today. Especially when you remember the Stones added ‘but you might just get what you need’.
It’s a good position to take when it comes to net zero I think, especially given the high level of noise, argument and rhetoric surrounding it these days. Every one, it seems, has an opinion.
That was on full display last month when Sydney hosted the Australian Clean Energy Summit that produced the full gamut of ideas. No-one (sensible) is against Net Zero, but how we get there, how fast and who should pay for it is a whole other matter.
The so-called ‘climate wars’ may have every vested interest lined up against each other—and particularly renewables versus every other form of energy—but it’s an undeniable fact that we will have to compromise & collaborate like never before if we ever hope to reach net zero in a timely, cost effective way.
A new report this week from the Regional Australia Institute brought this home, saying collaboration between “industry, government and regional communities” is essential. Country Australia is the vital link in the race to net zero, the location of nearly all the energy efforts taking place here, but who feel left out of the decision making process.
Regional Australia is where all the miners are too. Net Zero won’t happen without mining ‘green metals’ like copper, lithium, nickel or cobalt, and I know from personal experience that the resources industry is committed to becoming part of the solution.
Clearly there are a lot of players when it comes to Net Zero, but by promoting discussion, collaboration and, yes, compromise, we can continue to grow economically and sustainably at the same time.
The Stones song was taken from the album “Let It Bleed”, but Net Zero doesn’t have to be a pitched battle to give the world what it needs.
Cheers, John Fennell.