Energy Transition Mythbusters: Unpacking the 6 policy myths that threaten decarbonisation

The Transnational Institute in collaboration with the Trade Unions for Energy Democracy has published a report aimed at challenging six harmful but influential energy transition myths used to persuade us that the private sector, free markets, cheaper prices and decentralisation can decarbonise the energy system — and that intellectual property rights and trade and investment protection agreements are necessary to facilitate this. These myths keep policy-makers, social movements and communities from defending, building and advocating for real solutions: public power systems that can democratically decarbonise society. 

The authors of this publication hope these Mythbusters contribute to an increasingly powerful and interconnected labour and environmental justice movement that, collectively, can force governments to dismantle the for-profit market model and realise energy transitions by and for the public.

​​This publication is part of an open political process in which trade unions, scholar-activists and frontline communities have developed an Energy Democracy Movement Declaration. This seeks to work towards taking energy back from the market and moving towards public ownership and democratic management, with popular participation, human rights and equality at its heart. Download the full report below.