Andrew Forrest has called on the Western Australian Government to accelerate green energy approvals and turn its climate ambitions into construction, ahead of a major clean energy summit in Perth.
The Fortescue chairman said Global Citizen NOW: Perth should be used to demonstrate what can be built in the state and help secure practical commitments on the energy transition.
“You don’t deliver an energy transition by talking about it. You deliver it by the Government doing what it is elected to do and providing approvals in the best interest of Western Australians, then immediately getting on and building it,” Mr Forrest said.
The two-day action summit will take place on October 19 and 20 alongside Global Citizen Nights: Perth, a free show. Both events will be held at the Perth Convention Centre, with a focus on clean energy, electrification and global development.
Leaders from government, business, philanthropy, First Nations communities and civil society are expected to attend the summit, which aims to secure commitments to improve energy access for millions of people.
Mr Forrest’s Minderoo Foundation is a presenting partner of the event, which was co-created by Perth local Michael Sheldrick. The organisation has helped raise more than $71 billion to end extreme poverty and has attracted high-profile performers and political leaders to Global Citizen events.
“Global Citizen NOW: Perth puts Western Australia’s experience in front of the world. We should use that platform to show what can be built here and take that ambition into COP31,” Mr Forrest said.
He said Fortescue was building a renewable energy system in the Pilbara to power its mining operations and had committed to eliminating Scope 1 and 2 emissions from its Australian iron ore operations without offsets by 2030.
“This is about more than changing how one company operates,” Mr Forrest said. “The world needs abundant, affordable energy. Reliable power gives people opportunity and gives regions like Western Australia the chance to build new industries and create jobs.”
Western Australian Premier Roger Cook will deliver an opening speech on the state’s role as a centre for energy and economic development.
“Global Citizen NOW is bringing together the people who can turn shared challenges into investment and action,” Mr Cook said.
He said the event would showcase Western Australia’s role in the global energy transition while highlighting the jobs and industries that could be created at home.
“The next challenge is ensuring we capture the opportunities that come with the transition to a lower-emissions future and continue building the industries that will power our economy for decades to come,” Mr Cook said.
