Renewable Energy is a Key Social Justice Issue

Energy is an essential service, fundamental to community, family and individual health and wellbeing. Clean energy is crucial for addressing climate change, powering our economy and making energy affordable for all.

Climate change is one of the most significant issues facing people, communities, economies and our planet. Climate change disproportionately affects people on low incomes who have limited ability to address its impacts.

Rising energy prices impact us all, but mostly hurts people experiencing poverty and disadvantage. Those with the least suffer the most from unnecessary rises in energy costs.

Although climate change and rising energy prices affect everyone, it is low income and disadvantaged households that are bearing the brunt. That’s because they pay disproportionately more of their incomes on electricity and have less choice and control to reduce bills and their carbon footprint.

For over 100 years Tasmanians have invested in renewable energy. We have built a clean, reliable, cheaper, energy system that has the potential to power our future prosperity in a way that is inclusive, equitable and integrates climate, energy and social policy.

The electrification of homes, powered by cheaper, clean, renewable energy is the best pathway to enable households to meet their current and future energy needs in an affordable, healthy and efficient way that also supports rapid emissions reduction.

Preventing climate change through the expansion of renewable energy sources is a key social justice issue. Tasmania is leading the way in renewable energy and we have the opportunity to use this advantage to support low income households, reduce pressure on household budgets and create a more just, equitable, healthy and sustainable economy.

TasCOSS is a signatory to the Community Sector Climate Change Declaration that is calling for stronger targets and fair and inclusive policies to cut emissions. Learn about how you can support fair and fast climate action.