The ACT government's announcement of yet another renewable energy policy is a further indicator the territory is at the forefront of the country's preparedness for climate change.
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It is pleasing to see the current government leading the charge towards a more sustainable future for the ACT and invest in another initiative to help divest from fossil fuels.
The discounted solar battery pilot will be tested on about 200 homes and results will be used to plan for the future roll-out of battery technology in the territory.
The ACT government wants 36 megawatts of energy storage to be rolled out across more than 5000 homes and businesses by 2020.
This is one of a number of reasons the government was recently named a global climate change leader – something that residents should be proud of.
It is important, though, that the government ensures the benefits of future renewable initiatives do not become a luxury enjoyed exclusively by the well-off.
Under early incentives to install solar panels those who could afford the steep upfront costs accessed generous feed-in tariffs subsidised by other electricity consumers, including low income households.
Australia has just joined nearly 200 countries to sign the Paris climate accord – a global commitment to limit global warming by at least two degrees and scale up efforts to cut carbon pollution over time.
The Paris Agreement will come into force when ratified by at least 55 nations representing 55 per cent of man-made greenhouse gas emissions.
Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt said Australia would begin work to ratify the agreement "immediately".
Last year was the planet's warmest year since records began in the 19th century and the first three months of 2016 have broken temperature records.
A climate change think tank has said Australia is on the forefront of a renewable energy era and could become an economic superpower if it capitalises on its natural energy sources.
The chief executive of Beyond Zero Emissions, Stephen Bygrave, said Australia consistently ranked in the top three countries globally that have the best renewable energy resources.
ACT Environment and Climate Change Minister Simon Corbell said the ACT was fast approaching its own 90 per cent renewable energy target, which shows a 100 per cent target could be "entirely achievable".
It would be a good thing for the world if other jurisdictions took initiatives like the ACT and helped make the Paris agreement more than just a signed piece of paper.
