Vulnerability in Australia’s Energy Transition: ATERP Briefing Paper

Vulnerability and Australia’s Energy Transition: Why Understanding Risk Matters

Australia’s transition to renewable energy will reshape daily life, local communities and the national economy. While much attention has been given to technologies and emissions targets, far less has focused on a critical question: who is most vulnerable to the impacts of the transition, and why?

Without a clear understanding of vulnerability, governments risk overlooking the people and places most affected—and missing opportunities to design a fair, inclusive transition.

ACOLA’s Vulnerability in Australia’s Energy Transition report addresses this gap. Building on the Energy Transition Research Plan, it examines how the shift to net zero may create or intensify vulnerabilities, identifies where the evidence is lacking, and outlines the research priorities needed to guide equitable, evidence-based policy.

The report responds to the following questions:

Who is most at risk of harm during the transition, and in what contexts?
Where are the critical knowledge gaps in Australia’s understanding of vulnerability?
How can existing research strengths be leveraged to better identify and respond to risks?
What research priorities should guide Australia over the next five years?
How can improved evidence support decisions that build resilience, agency and community trust?

By mapping core gaps and opportunities and highlighting the social dimensions of the transition, the report provides a foundation for targeted research, stronger policy design and more inclusive planning. It offers a pathway toward a transition where impacts are understood, harm is prevented, and all Australians have the opportunity to participate in and benefit from change.

Read the full report to explore the evidence behind a fair and equitable energy transition.

Download the factsheet

Download the report