The Climate Council has compared states on a range of climate measures, and found Western Australia is the worst performer despite being home to Australia's first TAFE Clean Energy Skills National Centre of Excellence.
Earlier this year the federal and state governments jointly invested $70.5 million over five years to establish the centre.
In the switch to clean energy only 17.6 per cent of WA electricity comes from renewable sources and WA is the only state where emissions are projected to rise.
The Climate Council’s recent Race to the Top report found positive progress is being held back in WA by a lack of state-wide plans to cut climate pollution this decade.
The ongoing expansion of polluting gas projects has also stalled progress.
“Western Australia has a low share of clean energy and is being left in the dust by other states,” the report said.
NSW is performing much better and is in the middle of a renewable energy boom. It is also the first state to ban the exploration of fossil fuels and minerals in the state’s waters.
The report said Victoria is leading the way on electrifying homes, making them cheaper to run and more energy efficient, thanks to a landmark decision to phase out gas in new homes from 2024.
Victoria’s emissions reduction and renewable energy targets are stronger than Australia’s other heavily populated states.
Victoria is the only state with a dedicated and legislated offshore wind target, sending a clear message to the energy industry that Victoria is open for business.
Queensland’s $62 billion Energy and Jobs Plan is one of the largest and most comprehensive clean energy investment packages of any Australian state.
However, Queensland needs to boost battery storage to match its impressive uptake of rooftop solar.
Another state performing well is South Australia, which has switched off its last coal-fired power station.
South Australia has one of the strongest renewable energy targets in the nation and is on track to source 100 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
The state is also on track to be a world leader in clean energy generation.
Another one of Australia’s clean energy leaders is Tasmania, which has achieved 98 per cent renewable electricity generation and is on target to produce 200 per cent of its electricity needs from renewables (with surplus generation sent to other states).
In fact, Tasmania already has the highest share of actual renewable electricity generation across Australia, with more than 75 per cent of its electricity generated from hydro.
The ACT is another leader in clean energy. Since 2020, it has been powered by 100% renewable electricity.
Finally, the Top End is one of the top performers for the rollout of batteries alongside rooftop solar.
However, based on current projections, climate pollution in the Northern Territory is set to rise.
The Territory needs to move quickly to introduce real plans to cut climate pollution now, including interim targets to drive cuts well before 2050, the report said.