Clean Energy Innovation Centre

In the 2007 election campaign the Australian Labor Party promised that it would establish a $20 million Clean Energy Innovation Center.

Labor's 2008 Budget decision
In the 2008 budget the center was funded to the tune of $20 million over four years. On its website the Centre states that it "will help enhance the performance of Australia’s small and medium sized clean energy companies by providing a range of business improvement services."

It states that it will :
 * Provide a comprehensive review of the firm that identifies its strengths and weaknesses, strategic business issues, potential areas for business improvement and potential areas for growth;
 * Provide grants for addressing areas identified by the review for improvement/growth;
 * Find and adapt the latest research and technology to help firm’s improve their products and manufacturing processes;
 * Provide access to specialist facilities and advice to turn innovative ideas into new products or to test products for new markets;
 * Help in identifying export markets and understanding relevant regulatory, cultural and market issues;
 * Help firms to become export ready, including through developing management and marketing skills; and
 * Identify sources of government support for the firm’s innovation and export activities.

It also states that businesses will be able to "gain quick access to services provided under Austrade’s Clean Energy Export Strategy."

Related SourceWatch articles

 * Accra Climate Change Talks 2008
 * Australia and Post-Kyoto Protocol negotiations on greenhouse gas emissions
 * Clean Development Mechanism
 * COP14
 * COP15
 * Emissions Trading
 * Joint Implementation
 * Kyoto Protocol
 * The Australian Labor Party's 2007 Election Campaign Climate Change Policies
 * United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change