Overview:
Federal energy minister announces more ARENA funding, AustralianSuper acquires European assets, Letter demanding a climate duty of care
28/01
Federal energy minister announces more ARENA funding
Federal energy minister Chris Bowen has announced that ARENA will now back more community electrification projects.
As a result – they will be calling for innovative projects in the ACT, WA, QLD, Victoria and Tasmania looking for funding, Bowen said in a social media post posted by Tim Forcey on My Efficient Electric Home.
“As a result – they’ll be calling for innovative projects in the ACT, WA, QLD, Victoria and Tasmania to fund,” Bowen said.
He also wrote “a big shoutout to senators David Pocock and Jacqui Lambie for their ongoing advocacy for cheaper, cleaner to run homes and their commitment to renewable energy. “
16/01
AustralianSuper acquires European assets
AustralianSuper has acquired a 50 per cent stake in Canada’s Oxford Property Group’s European industrial and logistics portfolio worth $1.4 billion. As part of the acquisition, AustralianSuper will become co-owners of M7 Real Estate, a European investment and asset management company acquired by Oxford in 2021.
The acquisition is part of a new strategic partnership between Oxford and AustralianSuper to grow the portfolio to $7.5 billion in the next three to five years by constructing “high-quality ‘last mile’” delivery systems and mid-box warehouses.
The portfolio comprises about 730,000 square metres of urban logistics and distribution warehouses across 76 Western European assets, including in the UK, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain. The assets are currently 90 per cent occupied and have strong environmental credentials.
According to Paul Clark, head of European real assets at AustralianSuper, “urban logistics and distribution represents one the most compelling sector opportunities in European real estate today, and (we) have been tracking the sector for several years to find the right portfolio that meets our ambitions.”
Letter demanding a climate duty of care
More than 60 prominent voices from around the nation have signed an open letter calling on the government to protect future generations through a climate duty of care bill.
The letter addresses Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, environment and energy ministers, Chris Bowen and Tanya Plibersek, and Youth Minister Anne Aly. It references the case of Sharma versus Minister for the Environment, in which eight Australian children argued that the government owes children a duty to protect them from climate change harm – a case which was deemed unsuitable for judicial determination.
The letter says in part:
“We call on you to acknowledge your duty of care to us. We call on you to ensure that the decisions you make today are made with our health and wellbeing at the forefront of your minds and that this is guaranteed by law.
Young people deserve nothing less than a duty of care in the face of climate change.”
Signatories included four Australians of the Year, two Olympians, Rewiring Australia and America co-founder Saul Griffiths, several Pacific Island Elders, many independent and Greens politicians, and notable authors and television personalities.
Saudi and Chinese companies roll out electric truck offerings in Australia
Saudi-based vehicle distributor Jameel Motors and Chinese new energy vehicle manufacturer Farizon Auto, the commercial vehicle sector of Geely Holding Group, have partnered to roll out a model of all-electric cargo vans and two different sized heavy electric trucks this year.
The distribution agreement will be a new venture into the Australian market for both companies. The two attributed the deal to the distributor’s aspirations to roll out its green transportation offerings in Australia – which is seeing growing demands for carbon-neutral and sustainable commercial vehicle options.
Taiwanese company unveils new type of battery for electric vehicles
In case you missed this important piece of news before Christmas, Taiwan-based battery manufacturer ProLogium is bringing a new concept to the market with its 100 per cent silicon composite anode battery for EVs. The battery can provide roughly 186 miles of range (300 kilometres) on a five-minute charge. The company also promised to cut vehicle weight by around 300 kilograms. Read more here.