Analyzing distributional effects on vulnerable sections is important for enhancing national mitigation ambition by supporting social objectives. In contrast to existing studies based on single representative households and cost optimal mitigation pathway archetypes, we assess the impacts on national energy priorities and household energy burdens for diverse mitigation pathways to similar climate outcomes, in a consistent framework. We model 17 mitigation pathways varying by pace, technology choices, demand side mitigation options and global effort sharing principles using an integrated assessment model. We examine short & long-term distributional impacts on national energy goals (access, affordability, sustainability, efficiency and security) to identify pathways which offer co-benefits across multiple objectives in 32 global regions. Next, we downscale the impacts to the household deciles in India & the US using household survey data & future income distribution projections, to scrutinize the residential energy burden change for each pathway relative to the business-as-usual scenario. Our results show significant regressive impacts on access and affordability for most mitigation pathways, except those dominated by demand side mitigation approaches and non-CO2 emission reductions. One of the key findings is that the mitigation pathway choice and design matters for just transition goals and bespoke pathways provide scope for synergies and progressive impacts. We also establish that technology solutions are unable to redress pre-existing inequities and should be complemented with other support policies for the vulnerable. Our work contributes to the scholarship on the need for improved representation of heterogeneity in energy-climate models and offers policy relevance – showing the importance of underlying systemic changes to achieve social & climate goals together. We also demonstrate that consideration of capability and historical responsibility are essential to achieve truly just transitions for the most vulnerable and the use of grandfathering narratives to protect the affluent exacerbates inequities and deprivileges the vulnerable.