Here are answers to common questions about what the Index measures, how it works and how it can be used.
From understanding the concept of “deep support” to exploring our methodology and data sources, these FAQs are designed to help you get the most from this unique tool now, and well into the future.
Click on a question to view the answer.
The Clean Energy Solutions Index is a research tool designed to provide a clear and comprehensive picture of Australians’ support for specific clean energy solutions. It measures the depth of public sentiment through a unique one-number support score, helping guide decision-making across government, industry and advocacy.
The Index was developed by 89 Degrees East with funding from Boundless Earth. It was created to meet a critical need: capturing public sentiment in a way that is actionable for decision-makers to support Australia’s energy transition.
The Index defines and measures “deep support” using four key metrics: personal support for the solution, belief that it is good for Australia, perception that it is supported by the local community, and willingness to talk positively about it with friends and family. These metrics are combined into a one-number support score out of 100.
The 11 solutions were identified through expert review and consultation, and are grouped into three categories:
Home Solutions: Installing solar panels at home, installing a solar battery at home, converting your home to be free from gas, buying an electric vehicle for your next vehicle.
Infrastructure Solutions: Building solar farms, building new transmission lines to carry renewable energy, building onshore wind farms, building offshore wind farms.
Industry Solutions: Australian manufacturing of components of wind turbines, batteries and solar panels, transmission line cables; establishing a green metal industry in Australia; converting factories and industries to be free from gas.
Measuring deep support provides a more stable and nuanced view of public sentiment than surface-level polling. A score of 70 or higher indicates strong social license, guiding where mandates can be reinforced or where targeted communication is needed to grow support.
The Clean Energy Solutions Index has been designed to accurately measure and report on public opinion or sentiment towards specific clean energy technologies. This data will help government, industry and community leaders make effective decisions.
Wave 1 (2025) fieldwork was conducted from 3–18 March 2025, via a 10-minute online survey of 3,162 Australian citizens.
Wave 2 (2026) fieldwork was conducted from 8-22 April 2026, via a 10-minute online survey of 3,151 Australian citizens.
Yes. The total sample was weighted to represent the adult population by age, gender and state. All states were included.
The research is led by 89 Degrees East, a national strategy and communications agency, under the direction of Dr Rebecca Huntley , one of Australia’s leading social researchers on community attitudes to renewable energy and climate change. 89 Degrees East is a Research Society of Australia-accredited company that adheres to the highest ethical and privacy standards.
The Index uses a weighted calculation, combining the four core metrics to produce a one-number support score, capturing not just agreement but intensity, perceived norms and willingness to advocate. Click to read more.
The 11 solutions measured in the Clean Energy Solutions Index are all renewable, representing practical pathways for Australia to transition away from high-emissions sources. The 11 clean energy technologies included were selected following extensive consultation with experts.
The Index is released annually. Wave 2 (2026) is now available, allowing year-on-year comparison. Due to the focus on deep support, the Index is unlikely to record extreme year-on-year shifts.
The Index provides evidence-based insights to inform policy, investment and communication strategies. It helps leaders understand where support is strong and where more engagement is needed.
Yes. The Index includes national and state-level findings, which are an average of the solution-specific support scores.
By identifying the drivers and barriers of public support, the Index enables more effective, data-driven leadership to accelerate Australia’s clean energy transformation.
Unlike traditional polls, the Index captures genuine, underlying support using four well-defined metrics and produces a one-number score for each solution. This makes it a more stable, reliable and actionable measure over time.
Boundless Earth funded the development of the Clean Energy Solutions Index. Its strategic direction helped shape the initiative as part of its mission to accelerate Australia’s clean energy progress.
89 Degrees East led the design, research, analysis and reporting of the Index, ensuring it meets the highest standards of insight and integrity.
Dr Rebecca Huntley is a respected social researcher and author who leads the research unit at 89 Degrees East. She oversaw the development of the Index’s methodology and analysis.
You can download the 2026 report from the Reports page. The 2025 Wave 1 report remains available as an archived baseline. The CESI Dashboard allows interactive exploration and comparison of both years of data.
Yes. The Index may be cited for non-commercial purposes with appropriate attribution. Recommended citation format: Clean Energy Solutions Index (2026). Clean Energy Solutions Index: Public Report 2026. Boundless and 89 Degrees East.
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The national Index score has increased by one point to 61 out of 100 in 2026, with the majority of clean energy solutions holding steady or recording uplift.
The biggest movements are electric vehicle purchase (+6 points to 50) and renewable energy transmission (+5 points to 61)
Tasmania has recorded the strongest growth of any state, with its Index score rising +5 points to 69 — the highest state score in 2026. South Australia has also seen significant uplift, gaining +2 points to 63, while Western Australia is the only state to record a slight decline, dropping 2 points to 63.
Use the Year dropdown to select between 2025 (Wave 1) and 2026 (Wave 2) data, or view both years by setting the Chart dropdown to ‘Line’.
A score above 70 indicates very high deep support — meaning a strong majority of Australians personally support the solution, believe it is good for Australia, perceive strong community backing for it, and would speak positively about it to others. In 2026, only two solutions reach this threshold: solar panel installation (82) and solar battery installation (75).
Wave 2 fieldwork was conducted from 8 to 22 April 2026, using the same 10-minute online survey methodology as Wave 1. The fieldwork was designed to align with the March 2025 timing of Wave 1; a short project delay shifted the fieldwork into April, though consistent sampling and methodology across both waves ensured full comparability of results.
Wave 2 of the Clean Energy Solutions Index was funded by Boundless Earth, a philanthropic organisation working to accelerate Australia’s clean energy transition. The research was designed and conducted by 89 Degrees East, a Research Society of Australia-accredited social research firm, led by Director Dr Rebecca Huntley.
The recommended citation format is: Clean Energy Solutions Index (2026). Clean Energy Solutions Index: Public Report 2026. Boundless and 89 Degrees East. The Index may be cited for non-commercial purposes with appropriate attribution; for commercial use or partnership enquiries, contact index@cleanenergysolutionsindex.com.au.
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