It comes on top of Obama’s election commitments to invest $US150 billion ($A210 billion) over ten years to create five million green jobs and reduce carbon pollution by 80 per cent by 2050.
Obama’s proposed stimulus package is expected to total at least $US775 billion ($A1.1 trillion).
A joint statement by groups including the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) and the ACTU says Australia has an opportunity to adopt a similar package to boost the economy and tackle climate change.
It calls for a green building program to improve water and energy efficiency of commercial, residential and public buildings, and maximise short-term economic benefit by stimulating the construction industry.
Investment in sustainable infrastructure across public transport and rail networks for freight to reduce carbon footprints is also critical, the statement says.
The groups want green jobs made a “centrepiece of economic and industrial policy” and say the right mix of investment, skills and training could create market demand.
“The green stimulus component is one of four major cornerstones in Obama’s proposed economic recovery package and there is a crucial opportunity for Australia to do the same,” ACF executive director Don Henry said.
“There is no time to lose if we want to avoid falling behind the US and other developed nations in the race for green jobs growth and tackling dangerous climate change.”