This report suggests a growing divide between families who can afford to switch to green energy and those who can't, finding a reliance on fossil fuels is compounding the cost of living crisis for families. This national poll of parents looks at the challenges and concerns of Australian households. It makes recommendations to reduce the burden on families and low-income households, arguing that accelerating a widespread transition to green energy will have immediate financial and wellbeing benefits, help tackle long-standing economic inequality and reduce harmful climate pollution at the same time.

Findings

1.  The climate crisis is driving up the costs of insurance for all Australians as extreme weather events become more common and intense, risks to life and property worsen and premiums rise in response.
2. Australians are paying much more today to power their homes with gas, or refuel their cars. Higher costs for oil and gas are also fuelling inflation, which increases the price of many other everyday items.
3. Rising inflation, and relying on expensive oil and gas, is crunching household budgets with many families reporting they are under significant stress.
4. Most Australian families are making sacrifices to cope, such as less sport and recreation for their kids and cutting back on the amount or quality of food.
5. The rising costs of living and the climate crisis are pressing concerns for most Australian families, and parents worry costs will only worsen if we don’t cut climate pollution further and faster.
6. Cleaner, cheaper solutions to the cost of living and climate crises are understood and popular with parents. To ease pressure on people’s wallets and the planet, they need to be more accessible.

Recommendations

1. Expand low-cost finance to take pressure off families and slash climate pollution.
2. Roll out rooftop solar and storage for all social housing. 
3. Ensure all new homes are affordable, healthy and all-electric.
4. Ensure renters live in healthy, comfortable and affordable homes.