Episode 189

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Published on:

24th Mar 2026

Under the pump: security vs sustainability

Energy security vs net zero: What Australia’s new “fuel czar” means for investors

This week on The Greener Way, host Michelle Baltazar speaks with economist Nicki Hutley about energy security after the federal government appointed Anthea Harris as a new “fuel czar” to oversee Australia’s fuel supply amid Middle East conflict and rising oil and LNG prices.

Hutley explains how fuel supply risks flow through the whole economy—from transport and manufacturing to agriculture—and why petrol demand is relatively inelastic.

They discuss how short-term fuel security measures should not derail Australia’s net zero reduction targets, arguing governments can address near-term risks while accelerating renewable rollout and planning.

00:13 Energy security returns

01:03 Why a fuel czar?

02:08 Fuel shocks hit economy

04:39 Renewables and net zero

06:38 Keep transition moving

07:55 Investing in energy security

09:36 Uncertainty and budget watch

Links: https://www.nickihutleyeconomics.com.au/



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About the Podcast

The Greener Way
Conversations about people, planet and profit-for-purpose in a complex world, brought to you by the publishers of FS Sustainability.
The Greener Way is your podcast for exploring the big environmental, social and governance questions. Each week, The Greener Way will focus on deep conversations with investment and corporate experts who are deeply engaged in managing the sustainability challenges facing our planet.

From climate change to biodiversity, human rights and modern slavery to corporate purpose and governance, we tackle head-on the nuances and trade-offs of our complicated world.

The Greener Way is the podcast of FS Sustainability, the premier weekly trade publication that covers how investors and companies are changing real world outcomes across environmental, social and governance issues.