The only time in Australia’s recent history that research and development for renewables outstripped R&D for fossil fuels was when the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (Arena) began making grants to renewables in 2013, the study of International Energy Agency figures found. “Australia has a long history of prioritising fossil fuels over renewables in R&D funding. “Australia’s renewable energy R&D performance has made the podium just once since 1979 – and that was thanks to Arena, which the government now wants to abolish,” Oquist said. The comparisons were made with the 28 other members of the International Energy Agency, which are all net oil importers and have programs to reduce demand for oil. The Senate should oppose the government’s proposal to cut renewable energy funding,” the report concluded.

Source: The Guardian September 11, 2016 20:48 UTC