Research and Information

Why are solar microgrids not the norm in remote Central Australia?

Energy insecurity prevails in remote First Nations households, and there is limited research on the links between diesel-fired energy generation and health in remote central Australia. Researchers have identified a need to...

Exploring shared prosperity: Indigenous leadership and partnerships for a just transition

The private sector plays a critical role in the clean energy transition – as do Indigenous Peoples. If the opportunity of a just transition is to be realised, private sector and state...

Mapping critical minerals projects and their intersection with Indigenous peoples' land rights in Australia

This paper finds 57.8% of critical minerals projects in Australia are located where First Nations peoples have a right to negotiate. Including native title claims, these rights are available for 79.2% of...

Optimising positive impacts for First Nations through reliable and cost competitive renewable energy projects

The combination of First Nations partnership, governance and equity is unequivocally the factor that unlocks positive impacts for First Nations communities and projects. That's the conclusion of a new briefing paper by...

Connected: rooftop solar, prepay and reducing energy insecurity in remote Australia

Australia is a world leader in per-capita deployment of rooftop solar PV with more than three million households realising benefits including reduced energy bills and improved energy security. However, these benefits are...

Disconnected during disruption: Energy insecurity of Indigenous Australian prepay customers during the COVID-19 pandemic

In Australia, early pandemic safeguards against electricity disconnection were successful in temporarily protecting most people. However, their application was uneven. For remote-living Indigenous community residents, who are required by policy or elect...

Advancing Aboriginal Interests in the New South Wales Renewable Energy Transition

As the NSW Government steers the transition of the economy to renewable energy there is a unique opportunity for Aboriginal communities and their economic and land interests and aspirations to be advanced. The...

Aboriginal Population and Climate Change in Australia: Implications for Health and Adaptation Planning

This research paper finds First Nations populations in NSW are disproportionately exposed to a range of climate extremes in heat, rainfall and drought, and this disproportionate exposure is predicted to increase with...

Renewable hydrogen: Will First Nations people benefit?

First Nations peoples' land is essential to making renewable hydrogen. In this paper, published by Australian Environment Review, researchers from the ANU and Original Power discuss a few ways to ensure First Nations people...

Energy insecurity during temperature extremes in remote Australia

Indigenous communities in remote Australia face dangerous temperature extremes. These extremes are associated with increased risk of mortality and ill health. For many households, temperature extremes increase both their reliance on those...

Experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander customers using electricity pre-payment meters in Queensland

This research was triggered by substantial anecdotal evidence from the community sector about widespread instances of customers frequently going without electricity in these communities and being excluded from accessing energy concessions and...