No one left behind in energy transition

A new research paper developed by the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW and The McKell Institute is calling for targeted action on energy to ensure no one is left behind in the transition to net zero.

‘Equitable Transition: How the NSW Government Can Better Support Lower Income Households Challenged by Energy Prices’ was launched in November at a roundtable attended by leaders across the social services sector.

The research paper identified three key recommendations to better support households impacted by energy hardship right now and with a view to the future.

• Improve energy bill relief measures for households most in need
• Make hardship and crisis supports more accessible
• Improve efficient energy usage in households experiencing vulnerability

The Society NSW regularly encounters households facing housing stress exacerbated by the high price of energy bills. While financial relief is available through programs such as the NSW Government’s Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA), our members regularly hear from people who freeze in winter and swelter in summer due to concerns over energy bills.

The Society NSW supported over 700 households through the Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) program, providing $333,000 in energy relief, during the past year.

In addition to taking measures to act on energy bills in the present through revised rebates, such as setting at a fixed percentage instead of a flat rate, the research paper calls for broader action to address the underlying causes of energy inefficiency.

Click here to see the full ‘Equitable Transition’ report.