International lessons to guide Australia’s approach for a rapid and just transition to low carbon industries

How can Australia learn from international experiences to ensure its transition from a fossil fuel-powered economy to one aiming for net zero is swift and inclusive, without leaving the workforce in fossil fuel industries behind? That is the question Charles Sturt’s Senior Research Fellow in Energy and Circularity, Dr Simon Wright, explored during a Churchill Fellowship-supported study tour completed in 2023.

The tour included locations such as Canada, Poland, Belgium, Germany, Spain and Slovakia, and Dr Wright conducted numerous interviews with international practitioners who have lived experience with local transitions. Key factors identified as contributing to successful transitions include grassroots engagement of the entire community in developing solutions, ambitious political leadership, coordinated governance across multiple stakeholders and government departments, and regional capacity and skills to implement changes effectively.