It is increasingly understood that the transition to a low carbon energy system is a social challenge and will not be achieved without the meaningful engagement of wider society. However, as Jason Chilvers and Nick Pidgeon argue in this report, discussions about energy policy, including how to meet carbon targets, focus on costs, infrastructures and technological change. Drawing on recent UKERC research, the authors detail how our current ways of governing energy systems do not always account for equity issues or respond to social concerns.