Vertus’ Post

All past Productivity Commission heads have echoed the concerns of incumbent Danielle Wood that the government’s proposed Future Made in Australia Act risks entrenching subsidy-dependent industries and would come at a cost to the economy. But the prime minister and others hit back, saying the industrial policy would be more nuanced and disciplined than just subsidies, and automation would enable some industries, such as solar panel manufacturing, to be cost competitive

Best invest in Building and talking about Fusion power, space, and maritime propulsion systems and industry as data centres are. You talk about Nuclear (meaning Fission) and fail to discuss fusion. https://lnkd.in/ge_aeX7M The nuclear fission industry is, ignorant of what's happening around you. Pull your uranium heads out, start adjusting your industry to fusion energy and start preparing to enter the commercially growing fusion energy industry. As it dawns on Earth like the sun. Great Headline Guardian on Nuclear fission. https://lnkd.in/g8sMZtpR Fission is moving towards obsolescence at an accelerated pace, as it is "out of step, out of time, out of place," and merely a temporary industry globally. https://lnkd.in/gbd_mZqk Commercial fusion electrical generation is a promising innovative sustainable and clean energy method. By 2028, Helion is expected to start producing electricity from its first fusion commercial power plant, which will provide electricity to Microsoft. The plant will produce at least 50 MWe after an initial ramp-up period. https://lnkd.in/gY9J3MQY Now see what is happening in the Fusion industry in the world. https://lnkd.in/g9hMBD7a As fission trebles, fuel shortage is increasingly real,

Some of the commentary on whether #Australia should manufacture its own solar seem to be assuming that Australia's #economy is all about efficiency abiding by puritanical economics rules espoused by the Productivity Commission. This seems to ignore reality, where Australia's economy has been distorted by industry power that has led to perverse outcomes such as in housing through generous tax concessions, same in the resources sector (where profitable #coal miners receive the #diesel tax rebate) and under taxation in the PRRT for #oil and #gas companies. The resources sector were among the most vocal against Australia's tariff policies (rightly so), but they are no friend of domestic manufacturing as they would rather sell gas at international prices rather than to local customers. Australia has a long history of innovation in research on solar modules, it's households have the highest share of #solar panels on their rooftops, it has a lot of land for deploying vast solar capacity, which gives its competitive edge as well as creating demand for solar panels. Meanwhile Australia spends over A$50 billion a year on importing oil products, because it is having ridiculous debates about #EVs - hardly good for our energy security or trade balance. https://lnkd.in/gEQeYhMQ

Some interesting thinking from an interesting economist. We need strategies to grow local enterprises and economies as well as dealing with gigafactories for batteries, green steel, large scale renewables. Long term infrastructure strategies (not just for grids, but water, transport, schools, housing etc) that are sustainable are needed. Sustainability to me means lifetime thinking (so not just the building but how it’s used, where it’s occupants work or where they come from and how they travel, where goods and services are supplied to etc).

A budget for business but not for growth – Statement from Tristan Fischer, Founder & CEO of Fischer Farms Perception is important. In a day where most of the conversation around the budget has been focused on tax cuts, we must redouble our efforts to make the UK an attractive place to live, work and invest. We cannot shy away from the fact the UK economy is facing a number of challenges, which have not spared businesses. Tax cuts are incredibly useful for people’s personal finance, but in order to grow the economy, today the Chancellor needed to lay out his plans for long term investment in public services. I would have liked the Chancellor to invest in green industrial polices focusing on high growth sectors like vertical farming. Energy and technology investment is how we will grow the economy, and the Government must focus its efforts on increasing the capacity of the electricity grid and streamlining the connection process for the farming and agricultural industry - a sector that plays a vital role in the UK’s food security and must have fast and priority access. Investment into local authority planning services is important. We would welcome simplified planning processes, which gives consent for the building of renewable infrastructure that will allow further investment into renewable and low carbon generation to power farming operations. One of the UK’s greatest opportunities for growth is in the transition to Net Zero. To aid this, businesses need certainty because they need to feel their investment is safe in the UK, and this can be achieved through reliable green policies. On the face of it, several measures in the Budget can be chalked up as a win for the UK economy, but we are yet to see how much direct investment will be earmarked for agricultural innovation. Whilst lip service was paid to the Welsh agri-food launchpad project, and £5 million pledged to it, more is needed across the UK. Climate change, planning delays on energy infrastructure and economic uncertainty has meant that traditional farming has continuously come under threat. We need to solve the problems of tomorrow, today by offering stability in the food production industry. And I look forward to engaging with Government to see what more we can do. For businesses like Fischer Farms, who are dedicated to enhancing the UK’s food security, I would have liked to see more. Earlier this year the Government designated low carbon infrastructure as a critical national priority, we urge the Government to reconsider its position on food security and farming with the same urgency. 

Small businesses need policy certainty to help them plan to electrify and so they can benefit from Australia’s transition to net zero. One way that Government can do this is by helping more small businesses install energy efficient products. Find out how in our recent submission to the Economics Legislation Committee: https://loom.ly/nw0HuG0

The 2024/25 Australian Budget will "Fast-tracking the initial phase of the #GuaranteeOfOrigin Scheme to measure and certify emissions intensity across the supply chain of key products, and providing an additional $32.3 million to support the expansion of the program to green metals and low-carbon liquid fuels and consultation on additional incentives to support the production in these industries". Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eMVPShmJ #renewablehydrogen #sustainability #certification #energytransition

In yesterday's Autumn Statement, we heard a budget focused on party politics – not on what's most needed for people and planet. While I welcome a commitment to decarbonising energy through the Green Industries Growth Accelerator, the Chancellor had a real opportunity to deliver the long-term solutions the British people desperately need to improve their home energy efficiency. Similarly, it was good to see moves to simplify ISAs but savers who want to use their money ethically need more support. Ecology Building Society is proof that consumers are actively seeking ways for their savings to make a positive environmental and societal impact, and I believe the demand for ethical high street finance will continue to grow. We will continue to advocate for investment and commitment to sustainable development from policymakers – through the right incentives rewarding those who choose ethical savings and a national plan for green retrofitting to cut energy bills and reduce emissions. #autumnstatement2023 #retrofitting #isa

Today the Chancellor released the 2023 Autumn statement. Like the Chancellor, we see the value in investing in UK businesses to drive the economy and our net zero transition. His £4.5 billion to strategic manufacturing, with a significant portion earmarked for the burgeoning green industry is a pivotal step towards a sustainable future. This will create long term jobs, innovation and bring energy security, as well as net zero. Nevertheless, it remains disappointing that the Chancellor overlooked an opportunity to encourage the reduction of energy consumption. Furthermore, this government continues to ignore the basics of insulating businesses and homes – an easily achievable measure capable of lowering bills, boosting energy security, and radically cutting carbon emissions. Hard pressed small businesses and people deserve better. Whilst the government has stepped up in places, it still leaves the business community to step up and take action. We see this in every business we certify, and we continue to applaud the hard graft of UK businesses, from SMEs to corporates in driving our country's net zero achievements. 

https://lnkd.in/euagb27b this is quite shortsighted policy making. Instead of incentivising the economy to speed up green initiatives we are heading in the opposite direction. #netzerofail