Australia is transitioning to a low carbon energy system. This energy transition is transforming the way energy is generated, transmitted, stored, exported and used. Part of the extensive changes to our energy system is the roll out of large-scale infrastructure, which presents both challenges and opportunities for local communities and the wider public.
It is important to understand Australian attitudes and perceptions of the energy transition and large-scale renewable energy infrastructure to inform and improve policies, planning, practices and outcomes for the nation during this energy transition.
Australia's national science agency, CSIRO, has more than a decade of experience measuring and understanding the social licence for new infrastructure across a range of industries.
In 2023, we conducted one of Australia’s most comprehensive surveys of attitudes towards the energy transition and renewable infrastructure, surveying more than 6700 people in all states and territories, in capital cities and regional areas.
The national survey, conducted in partnership with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, sought to better understand:
- Australian attitudes toward the energy transition
- Public perceptions about living near large-scale renewable energy infrastructure.
We asked people about four types of renewable energy infrastructure – solar farms, onshore and offshore wind farms, and associated transmission lines needed to carry renewable energy to the electricity grid.
We surveyed a diverse range of people, including people living near existing or proposed renewable energy developments.
Read the survey highlights in the Understanding Australian attitudes to the renewable energy transition and renewable energy developments - Snapshot PDF (1 MB).
Download the full reports
Part 1: General attitudes toward the energy transition
Part 2: Attitudes and perceptions of renewable energy infrastructure
Explore the survey data more interactively via the energy transition survey dashboard.