Targeted and Tangential Effects—A Novel Framework for Energy Research and Practitioners

Interdisciplinary energy research that focuses on the upcoming energy transition is growing at pace and scale given the goal of the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5 °C. As a consequence, integrated interventions are needed to support the energy transition. However, gaps in the energy literature remain on how to manage uncertainties inherent in energy transition. Based on a review that showcases some of the shortcomings in the current literature, this paper introduces a novel framework to provide a structure on how to engage with uncertainty called targeted and tangential effects. Relevant case studies in residential energy and energy justice as well as household retrofits and health are used to demonstrate how the targeted and tangential framework can be used. The targeted and tangential effect concept provides an innovative framework for energy researchers and practitioners to use to proactively recognize and identify uncertainty in the energy transition. Benefits and shortcomings of this framework are presented. Areas of future research are identified, including relevance for policy.