Paving cross-sector interdisciplinary research pathways to achieve Australia's net-zero targets.
The Australian Energy Transition Research Plan was developed by ACOLA in collaboration with leaders across Australia’s energy sector to identify the research priorities needed to support the nation’s transition to a net zero future.
While the nation pushes toward ambitious 2030 energy targets, one challenge remains largely unresolved: how do we measure whether the transition is fair?
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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?
Australia’s transition to net zero will depend not only on strong research capability, but on the ability to translate research into real-world impact. This report examines how knowledge generated by researchers can move effectively into policy, industry innovation, investment decisions and societal change.
Transitioning to a low-carbon energy system is one of humanity’s most pressing, and amongst the greatest, challenges in modern times. The scale and complexity requires unprecedented investment in new research to develop and scale technologies, and to support and enable the significant cultural and societal shift needed.
The transition dynamics research theme encompasses 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.
This Energy System Dynamics research briefing paper is the first of three reviewing existing research and exploring research opportunities for the energy transition in Australia.
The social engagement dynamics research theme encompasses 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.
Australian Energy Transition Research Plan, the first of its kind, highlights the urgent and strategic research priorities needed for Australia to achieve a fair and sustainable energy emissions transition by 2050 (or earlier).
ACOLA gratefully acknowledges the support and contribution to the project. This project is supported by the Australian Government Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), and National Energy Resources Australia (NERA).
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