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Achieving sustainability transitions in residential energy use across Europe: The importance of problem framings

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  • Jensen, Charlotte Louise
  • Goggins, Gary
  • Røpke, Inge
  • Fahy, Frances

Abstract

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the residential sector is central to European energy policy. However, the speed and scale of sustainable energy transitions need to accelerate. There is a growing consensus that meeting energy targets is highly dependent on interrelated socio-material and cultural aspects of energy use. New ways of framing energy demand that go beyond dominant efficiency- and behavior models are needed. Recognizing these concerns, this paper reports on a review of 1067 Sustainable Energy Consumption Initiatives (SECIs) that aim to reduce residential energy use across 30 European countries. The initiatives are categorized and a corresponding Problem Framing Typology (PFT) is developed, highlighting important aspects of different types of problem framings. The typology contains four categories including 1) Changes in technology; 2) Changes in individual behavior; 3) Changes in everyday life situations; 4) and Changes in complex interactions. Applying the PFT to the 1067 SECIs shows that the vast majority (75%) of SECIs are positioned within category 1 and 2, indicating a lingering bias towards technocratic consumer behavioral strategies. The limitations of such approaches are discussed, and it is argued that systematically addressing interactions between technology, businesses, culture and everyday-life is more likely to lead to long-term transformation.

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  • Jensen, Charlotte Louise & Goggins, Gary & Røpke, Inge & Fahy, Frances, 2019. "Achieving sustainability transitions in residential energy use across Europe: The importance of problem framings," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:133:y:2019:i:c:s0301421519305142
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2019.110927
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