Recognition justice in Australia: Hidden energy vulnerability through the experiences of intermediaries

In the context of recognition as a key principle of energy justice, this study explores the role of trusted in-termediaries in recognising and identifying hidden energy vulnerability. Hidden energy vulnerability is the propensity of households to experience harm from energy deprivation because their situation is not captured by common indicators of energy poverty or because they do not request help. Previous research has focused on data -driven, systematic strategies to identify households in hidden energy vulnerability, however, there is little un-derstanding of the opportunistic ways that affected households may be identified through intermediary social networks. Through interviews with 32 intermediaries from health, housing and social service organisations in Mel-bourne, Australia, the paper develops six forms of hidden energy vulnerability: underconsumption entailing privation, incidental masking, disguised vulnerability, intentional concealment, failure to recognise the health risks of cold homes and ignored energy vulnerability. Methods of identification included careful listening, ob-servations during home visits, health care assessments, rent arrears, referrals from other services and spatial techniques.The paper's conceptual contribution lies in extending the construct of mis-recognition to hermeneutic injus-tice. Poor knowledge of the health risks of underheating and limited understanding of energy efficiency as a key cause of energy vulnerability shaped the obscurity of energy vulnerability from collective understanding. Reports by trusted intermediaries and better public education of the causes and risk of energy vulnerability may help identify and remedy hidden energy vulnerability.

Automated summary

This study explores the role of trusted intermediaries in identifying hidden energy vulnerability, with a focus on households that are not captured by common indicators of energy poverty. Through interviews with intermediaries in Melbourne, Australia, six forms of hidden energy vulnerability are identified. Various methods of identification, including careful listening, home visits, health assessments, and referrals from other services, are used. Trusted intermediaries' reports and public education may help identify and address hidden energy vulnerability.