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Journal of Australian Energy Producers
RESEARCH ARTICLE (Non peer reviewed)

The human side of transition – putting people at the heart of energy transformation so no-one gets left behind

Louise Pogmore A and Benn Wheeler B *
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A KPMG Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

B KPMG Australia, Brisbane, Qld, Australia.

* Correspondence to: bwheeler@kpmg.com.au

The APPEA Journal 63(2) S96-S100 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ22058
Submitted: NaN NaN  Accepted: 17 March 2023  Published: 11 May 2023

© 2023 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of APPEA.

Abstract

Attitudes and behaviours towards energy transformation are varied and evolving – understanding them is critical to inform enterprise decisions. Proactive and inclusive engagement is needed to build trust, reputation and social licence. There will be more interest and acceptance in adopting new energy products and services when they are better understood and there is a shared benefit. Trust needs to be solidified as the technology and transition evolves – there are three characteristics of a trustworthy organisation: purpose, culture and reputation. If any of these are missing, trust will be undermined, and poses significant risk to reputation and social licence. Whilst some industries have embedded a customer-centric mindset – for others on the energy transformation journey it’s new. As the energy mix continues to evolve, the oil and gas industry needs to play a part in this narrative. Now is the critical time to be more human-centric as the imbalance of the energy trilemma begins to demonstrate its impact on end users. Individuals, communities and consumers can become more engaged and educated through technology and communication platforms, however anyone who will face barriers to participate or who may find the increasingly complex energy market difficult to navigate must also be considered. Principles of a more human-centric engagement need to move beyond tick the box, compliance and one off – it needs to be embedded to stay abreast of evolving needs. As transformation progresses, all must be understood, included to ensure no-one gets left behind.

Keywords: communities, customer, employee, energy mix, energy transformation, energy transition, energy trilemma, human centred, human-centric, inclusion, inclusive, individual, licence to operate, shared benefit, social licence, social value, stakeholder engagement.

References

Cornwall Insight Limited (2022) UK price cap forecasts for January rise to over £4,200 as wholesale prices surge again and Ofgem revises cap methodology (cornwall-insight.com), price forecast article, 9 August 2022.

KPMG Australia (2023) In ‘The Human Side of Energy Transition’. (Eds L Pogmore, C Crispin, B Wheeler). pp. 2–3. (KPMG: Sydney Australia)

The Guardian (2022) Germany to reactivate coal power plants as Russia curbs gas flow. Press release, 9 July 2022. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/08/germany-reactivate-coal-power-plants-russia-curbs-gas-flow

Big Think (2022) After Europe’s oil and gas run out, now a “wind drought”. Press release, 29 September 2022. Available at https://bigthink.com/strange-maps/europe-wind-drought/