Human-caused climate change is affecting the lives and livelihoods of all Australians. Yet the political debate ahead of the next federal election is focused on the cost of the energy transition and its impact on power bills. That narrative must change.

Australia has a bipartisan commitment to achieving a net zero economy by 2050. A key policy challenge is to meet this commitment while ensuring electricity is reliable and affordable. The political response has been unrealistic promises of lower prices. The risk of false promises is to lose voter support for the energy transition when the promises are unrealised.