When the federal government pours buckets of taxpayers' money into costly, unnecessary and damaging fossil fuel projects, I choose to focus on the momentum of subnational players capitalising on the opportunities of a clean economy.
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For many years, local governments have been quietly powering ahead with solutions to decarbonise the economy and are enjoying the benefits such as healthier homes, cleaner cities and cheaper power.
It's not just the capital cities like Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne leading the charge - across the country, regional centres are stamping themselves as leaders.
Regional cities with a strong, coordinated climate response are having a huge impact in accelerating renewable energy uptake in their area, and creating strong, diverse economies as they prepare their communities for the future.
Just last week, more than half of Victoria's councils signed up to the Victorian Energy Collaboration, pooling their electricity contracts to switch to renewable energy.
By July, 45 per cent of Victorian council energy will be from clean wind - the equivalent of removing the emissions from 90,000 polluting cars every year.
This is the largest reduction project by local government in Australia and it's supporting the development of large-scale renewable energy, jobs in regional areas and new opportunities for communities to grow.
Not to mention saving on electricity prices so more money can be put back into the community.
Seven councils in NSW's Hunter region are also using their collective buying power to soon supply renewable electricity to the group.
The great thing about this project is that one of its tender requirements is sourcing energy from the region.
With many regional areas highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, and also the impacts on economic security as fossil fuel dwindles towards unviability, it's critical regional leaders continue to champion opportunities within the clean economy.
We can't wait for national climate and energy policy to catch up - there simply isn't time.
Working together through alliances such as the Cities Power Partnership, and with their communities, regional powerhouses can foster local innovation and investment in clean energy.
Today, the partnership's national summit will see hundreds of councils join forces to develop and accelerate the big ideas that are revolutionising Australia's approach to energy and climate change. Together we can forge a prosperous, renewable-powered future.
Portia Odell is director of the Cities Power Partnership.