Release of Energy Transition Research Plan Briefing Papers
Following discussion with Academy Fellows and stakeholders, ACOLA today released three briefing papers identifying urgent and strategic energy transition research priorities.
The thematic briefing reports (reports three to five) expand on the research priorities outlined in ACOLA’s Australian Energy Transition Research Plan (Report One). Released on 17 June 2021, and the first of its kind, ACOLA’s Research Plan highlighted the urgent and strategic Research Priorities that need to be addressed if Australia is to successfully achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 (or earlier).
These three new reports identify critical research gaps and propose a series of underpinning actionable research questions. They recognise there is a clear research direction for insights from human and social dimensions to sit alongside advancements in the engineering and physical sciences, with a greater need for research on community attitudes, and concerns about and the benefits of the transition.
ACOLA encourages researchers across different sectors, including academia, industry and government to answer the questions and calls on funders to consider directing funding towards this research.
The reports can be accessed via the links below.
The Energy System Dynamics Research Briefing Paper (Report 3)
- Encompasses research questions on the technologies that we will need, how they will be integrated and the pathways for their deployment and the associated retirement of legacy systems.
The Social Engagement Dynamics Research Briefing Paper (Report 4)
- Encompasses research questions on the policy and regulatory settings that will be required for the transition, how people (individuals, communities, regions etc.) will be engaged, and how principles of equity, justice and fairness throughout the course of the transition will be developed and applied.
The Transition Dynamics Research Briefing Paper (Report 5)
- Encompasses research questions on the governance structures that we will need, how we will manage the economic, health and social risks, and how industries and employment will be transformed.
A summary of the key findings from the second phase (Report 2) is forthcoming which will be released alongside two further briefing papers on the translation of research to impact and the funding of that research.
Our sincere thanks to the researchers who were critical to the development of these important pieces of work: Dr Reza Fazeli, Professor Tina Soliman Hunter, Dr Madeline Taylor, and Dr Vlado Vivoda.
We also acknowledge the numerous stakeholders and Academy Fellows who were engaged throughout these reports.
Acknowledgement of Country
ACOLA acknowledges all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traditional Custodians of Country and recognises their continuing connection to land, sea, culture and community. We pay our respect to the Elders both past and present.
