Examining JUST Energy Metrics: Exploring Australian research opportunities

Examining JUST energy metrics: Exploring Australia research opportunities

Australia’s shift to renewable energy is accelerating, reshaping communities, economies and landscapes nationwide. Yet while the nation pushes toward ambitious 2030 targets, one challenge remains largely unresolved: how do we measure whether the transition is fair?

Technology is advancing rapidly, but without clear, consistent metrics to track how benefits and burdens are shared, governments and industry risk making reactive, costly decisions—and communities risk being left behind. Questions of participation, trust, and equity are increasingly central to Australia’s journey toward becoming a renewable energy superpower.

The report responds to the following questions:

How can fairness, participation and accountability be measured across the energy transition?
What research gaps currently limit Australia’s understanding of energy justice?
How can an Australian-specific JUST framework—Justice, Universality, Space and Time—guide the development of consistent metrics?
What international approaches can inform Australian best practice?
How can metrics reduce social risk, improve planning, and ensure no community is left behind?

ACOLA’s Examining JUST Energy Metrics report provides the most comprehensive exploration to date of how justice can be assessed across the energy transition. By outlining priority research opportunities and highlighting the need for clear, evidence-based metrics, the report offers a pathway for governments, industry and communities to shape a transition that is fair, inclusive and trusted.

Read the full report to explore how justice can be embedded at the heart of Australia’s energy future.

Download the factsheet

Download the report