The ‘extremely effective’ campaigns undermining support for renewables – podcast
Guardian AU
•Tue, 04 Aug 2026 15:00:06 GMT
📰 What Happened
A Guardian 'Full Story' podcast episode, presented by Reged Ahmad with environment and climate correspondent Graham Readfearn, examines the 'extremely effective' organised campaigns that are undermining public support for wind and solar infrastructure in Australia. The episode explores why anti-renewables messaging is striking a chord with people in remote and rural areas, and who is behind the roadblocks, despite most Australians supporting clean technology.
🔍 The Backstory
Australia is in the middle of a major transition to renewable energy, but proposed wind farms, solar projects and transmission lines frequently face local opposition and organised resistance. Disinformation and politically driven campaigns have increasingly targeted renewables projects, often concentrating on regional communities. These campaigns have become a key theme in Australia's climate and energy debate.
🎯 Why It Matters
Public support is critical for building the clean-energy infrastructure needed to meet Australia's climate targets. If organised opposition keeps eroding local consent, projects face delays, higher costs, and political risk. The episode highlights how the social licence for the energy transition is being contested, alongside the policy and technical questions.
A Guardian 'Full Story' podcast episode, presented by Reged Ahmad with environment and climate correspondent Graham Readfearn, examines the 'extremely effective' organised campaigns that are undermining public support for wind and solar infrastructure in Australia. The episode explores why anti-renewables messaging is striking a chord with people in remote and rural areas, and who is behind the roadblocks, despite most Australians supporting clean technology.
Australia is in the middle of a major transition to renewable energy, but proposed wind farms, solar projects and transmission lines frequently face local opposition and organised resistance. Disinformation and politically driven campaigns have increasingly targeted renewables projects, often concentrating on regional communities. These campaigns have become a key theme in Australia's climate and energy debate.
Public support is critical for building the clean-energy infrastructure needed to meet Australia's climate targets. If organised opposition keeps eroding local consent, projects face delays, higher costs, and political risk. The episode highlights how the social licence for the energy transition is being contested, alongside the policy and technical questions.