Unions want a "green revolution" to sweep the country's homes, saving more than $400 on annual household electricity bills. They have called on the Federal Government to pay for a mass retrofitting of homes to slash electricity use.
Homes would be kitted out with insulation, double glazing and smart appliances at a cost to the Government of $5500 apiece.
This would save $429 on annual power bills and dramatically cut greenhouse gas emissions, according to Sharan Burrow, president of the Australian Council of Trade Unions.
Ms Burrow, who backs the plan, said an army of up to 20,000 green-collar workers would be needed to retrofit the homes.
"You can create thousands of green jobs and save people money," Ms Burrow said.
"Every little bit helps if you can save money.
"If we act now, (households) will be ahead of the game."
The plan has been proposed by the Southern Cross Climate Coalition, which is made up of the ACTU and green groups.
The coalition has put forward several models, depending on how many of the country's eight million homes would be retrofitted.
Retrofitting 500,000 homes would cost the government $2.75 billion, create 7000 full-time jobs, and save 1.5 million tonnes of emissions.
Retrofitting 1.2 million homes would cost $6.6 billion, create 17,000 jobs, and save 3.7 million tonnes of emissions.
Under the proposal, wealthy households would pay something towards their retrofit, while lower-income households would get it for free.
Emissions trading will push up the price of electricity when it starts in 2010.
This is because most electricity comes from coal, so generates greenhouse emissions.
The climate coalition wants the government to retrofit homes so households do not end up paying more.
The mass retrofit should start within months, Ms Burrow said. As emissions trading kicks in, the Government could use some of the revenue from the scheme to pay for the retrofits.
Some business and industry groups have warned that emissions trading would cost profits and jobs, but Ms Burrow said Australia should focus on being competitive in a low-carbon future, and growing a green workforce.
"The world doesn't have a choice, and Australia's got a responsibility," she said.
Homes would be kitted out with insulation, double glazing and smart appliances at a cost to the Government of $5500 apiece.
This would save $429 on annual power bills and dramatically cut greenhouse gas emissions, according to Sharan Burrow, president of the Australian Council of Trade Unions.
Ms Burrow, who backs the plan, said an army of up to 20,000 green-collar workers would be needed to retrofit the homes.
"You can create thousands of green jobs and save people money," Ms Burrow said.
"Every little bit helps if you can save money.
"If we act now, (households) will be ahead of the game."
The plan has been proposed by the Southern Cross Climate Coalition, which is made up of the ACTU and green groups.
The coalition has put forward several models, depending on how many of the country's eight million homes would be retrofitted.
Retrofitting 500,000 homes would cost the government $2.75 billion, create 7000 full-time jobs, and save 1.5 million tonnes of emissions.
Retrofitting 1.2 million homes would cost $6.6 billion, create 17,000 jobs, and save 3.7 million tonnes of emissions.
Under the proposal, wealthy households would pay something towards their retrofit, while lower-income households would get it for free.
Emissions trading will push up the price of electricity when it starts in 2010.
This is because most electricity comes from coal, so generates greenhouse emissions.
The climate coalition wants the government to retrofit homes so households do not end up paying more.
The mass retrofit should start within months, Ms Burrow said. As emissions trading kicks in, the Government could use some of the revenue from the scheme to pay for the retrofits.
Some business and industry groups have warned that emissions trading would cost profits and jobs, but Ms Burrow said Australia should focus on being competitive in a low-carbon future, and growing a green workforce.
"The world doesn't have a choice, and Australia's got a responsibility," she said.
