Just Transition in Australia and Indonesia

An inclusive, equitable and holistic transition to a green economy in Australia and Indonesia

Australia and Indonesia—two close neighbours in the Asia Pacific—are the world’s largest coal exporters.

Currently, government efforts to ensure a just transition largely focus on fossil fuel workers and regions—a crucial start, but there is of course more to the picture.

CPD envisions a holistic transition to a green economy that is inclusive and equitable for all people and communities.

We know that different communities have different needs, so we advocate for place-based solutions over achieving consistency or a one-size-fits-all approach.

We think a just transition is about ensuring all people benefit, not just big business, so that societies can thrive.

Focus area highlights

Sharing the Benefits is a report that outlines how the federal government can ensure new net zero industries strengthen Australia’s communities.

CPD’s Powering Prosperity report provides a practical framework to guide a fair and just transition in Indonesia.

Ideas to industries lays out a pathway for the most efficient use of the government balance sheet for industrial development, with a focus on the earlier stages of the innovation chain that are typically not well-financed by the private sector.

Focus area experts

Recent work

CPD held a media briefing with its ETP Forum partners to take stock of progress on the energy transition during the first year of the Prabowo government.
Sharing the Benefits is a report from the Centre for Policy Development that outlines how the federal government can ensure new net zero industries strengthen Australia’s communities.
CPD’s submission to the Net Zero Fund makes four key recommendations with a focus on the need to invest in innovations in new technologies and business models.

In the media

CPD Economic Director Toby Phillips speaks with ABC's Sam Bradbrook about the Sharing the Benefits report and the case for tying public funding to real community outcomes.
The Sharing the Benefits report by the Centre for Policy Development argues any renewables project backed by the federal government should have to clearly demonstrate community benefits.
Billions of public dollars for projects and new industries could flow through a more principled matrix for greater community benefits and less resistance, policy experts say.
The opposition’s net zero-less energy plan would upend Australia’s energy innovation agency and green bank so they could fund controversial technologies favoured by the conservative party like carbon capture and nuclear.
The government is facing criticism for “tinkering” with its arm’s length industry fund after a third of its available $15 billion allocation was diverted to fresh net zero plans, which includes support for heavy polluters.

Related initiatives

Aligning corporate Australia with a sustainable economic future
Bringing leaders together accelerate climate ambition and action
Building a just energy transition in the Indo-Pacific
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