Accelerating the transition: tapping into community support for clean energy

In our urgent mission to protect our planet for generations to come, the transition to low-carbon energy stands as a critical endeavour. Yet, this transition cannot be a standardised blueprint; it must honour the rich tapestry of people and communities worldwide. No two countries’ journeys toward net zero will – or should – be identical.

GHD’s SHOCKED report spotlighted these unique challenges facing the world as we transition to net zero. It highlighted the energy trilemma facing the world: security, society and climate. CROSSROADS takes a further dive into the ‘society’ theme to more deeply understand how each generation within our communities responds to these challenges. From an energy perspective, it has uncovered widespread support for clean energy initiatives and the hope most of the population has that a switch to clean energy will open up new industries and jobs within the community.

So, what actions can we take to support the energy transition? Here are some suggestions:

• Involve local communities in decision-making processes related to clean energy projects such as participatory energy planning
• Empower communities to co-develop job creation strategies and energy community benefits programs
• Foster collaboration between governments, private companies and research institutions to fast-track the commercialisation of clean energy technologies
• Governments fund incentives to households and businesses to accelerate the adoption of clean energy solutions
• Prioritise energy justice by providing additional support for low-income communities to ensure equitable access to clean energy
• Governments and the energy industry working collaboratively to invest in educational programs to raise awareness about clean energy benefits, job opportunities and the transition process