The Energy Ready toolkit, published by the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF), has been announced as the winner of a 2024 Australian Good Design Award in the Social Impact category.
The Energy Ready toolkit is a first-of-its-kind resource to help guide communities through the process of planning for, coping with and bouncing back from climate-related weather events like extreme heat and fires, floods and storms that disrupt their energy supply.
The toolkit includes a guidebook of step-by-step instructions for seven simple activities community groups can do, and a set of prompt cards and templates to use in the activities. Once communities work through the activities, they will be better connected, stronger and safer with a robust energy-resilience plan and an inventory of resources in place.
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The toolkit was the result of a year-long process of research and consultation, funded by Energy Consumers Australia’s Grants Program and delivered in partnership with ISF, Community Power Agency and Parallel Lines.
The Energy Ready guidebook explains what energy resilience means for communities and includes advice from communities that have experienced, or are at high risk of experiencing, climate-related disasters.
The guidebook is attractive, easy to follow and engaging. To make the toolkit accessible to communities, it is also designed to be downloaded for free.
“Our research found that capacity building and social cohesion go hand-in-hand when preparing, responding and recovering from extreme weather events,” says ISF Senior Research Consultant Dr Sarah Niklas.
“So, the interactive element of the toolkit, which encourages communities to come together, became a central component that guided the overall design and the way we presented our content and information.”
“It is terrific that Energy Ready has been recognised with this prestigious award for its social impact,” Energy Consumers Australia executive manager, advocacy and policy Carol Valente said.
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“Communities want to take steps to be more energy resilient but they often don’t know what to do, where to turn to or how to do it. This means they need support to better understand what energy resilience means for them and make the right decisions that suit their situation.
“Energy Ready equips communities to be more energy resilient in the face of an emergency in ways that meet their unique needs. With parts of the Australia already at increased early risk of bushfires this spring, it’s vital that communities take steps now to protect themselves so that they can be summer ready.
“We encourage all communities to download the guide and ensure they are prepared for and can withstand climate-related weather events.”
