The Hunter Valley in New South Wales (NSW) stretches from about 120 kilometers north of Sydney well into the hinterland, encompassing some 29,000 square kilometers and 620,000 residents. Although it’s famous for its wineries, in recent years the Hunter Valley has become a flash point for Australia’s debate over climate change.

Forty-one coal mines in the region employ fourteen thousand people, while many tens of thousands more work in connected businesses. Scott Morrison’s Liberal-National Coalition wants to double down on fossil fuels, encouraging businesses to extract as much coal and gas as they can. The conservative wing of the Australian Labor Party agrees. Together, they argue that action on climate change will lead to catastrophic job losses and long-term stagnation for the Hunter Valley.

The Hunter Jobs Alliance (HJA), launched in March this year, rejects this narrative. Spearheaded by the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU), the HJA is a coalition that brings together thirteen unions with community and environmental groups. They are putting forward a vision for the Hunter Valley to make a transition away from fossil fuels that will place workers, communities, and the environment first.