Episode Details

In this thought-leaders episode of emPOWER, Wendy Agar speaks with David Shankey, CEO of the Net Zero Economy Authority, the national body helping Australia’s regions and communities navigate the shift to a net zero emissions economy.

Before leading the Authority, David was Deputy Director-General at Queensland’s Department of Energy and Public Works, where he built a reputation for his deep expertise in energy and climate policy—and his commitment to ensuring regional communities share in the benefits of change.

Together, Wendy and David explore a big question: How can we meet Australia’s national energy needs while ensuring host communities share in the benefits of a fair transition?

Drawing on his experience, David unpacks:

• The current state of play for regional communities and landholders in Australia’s energy transition
  
  
• What needs to happen to support both traditional energy regions in transition and communities experiencing new renewable development
  
  
• The role of government partnership and community-led planning in shaping fair and lasting outcomes
  
  
• Why there’s no single silver bullet, but many local solutions needed for diverse regional economies

emPOWER is proudly supported by The Energy Charter, a CEO-led collaboration 

across the national energy sector.  They partner with communities to create a Regional Energy Accord that guides the transition and delivers real local outcomes.

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