The present invention relates to an energy curable aqueous composition (X) comprising (a) Water; (b) At least a water-insoluble ethylenically unsaturated compound (A); (c) At least one (meth)acrylic polymer (B1) containing ionic functional groups that are at least partly neutralized by a neutralizing agent (C) and/or at least one (meth)acrylic hybrid (B2) containing ionic functional groups that are at least partly neutralized by a neutralizing agent (C); and (d) At least one nonionic emulsifier (D) comprising alternating polyalkylene oxide segments, said nonionic emulsifier (D) having an HLB value of at least 4.5. Materials of the invention are suitable for the preparation of inks, overprint varnishes or coating compositions.