A Research Agenda to Better Understand the Human Dimensions of Energy Transitions

Open access
Date
2021-06-25Type
- Review Article
Citations
Cited 9 times in
Web of Science
Cited 12 times in
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ETH Bibliography
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Abstract
The Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) have a key role to play in understanding which factors and policies would motivate, encourage and enable different actors to adopt a wide range of sustainable energy behaviours and support the required system changes and policies. The SSH can provide critical insights into how consumers could be empowered to consistently engage in sustainable energy behaviour, support and adopt new technologies, and support policies and changes in energy systems. Furthermore, they can increase our understanding of how organisations such as private and public institutions, and groups and associations of people can play a key role in the sustainable energy transition. We identify key questions to be addressed that have been identified by the Platform for Energy Research in the Socio-economic Nexus (PERSON, see person.eu), including SSH scholars who have been studying energy issues for many years. We identify three main research themes. The first research theme involves understanding which factors encourage different actors to engage in sustainable energy behaviour. The second research theme focuses on understanding which interventions can be effective in encouraging sustainable energy behaviour of different actors, and which factors enhance their effects. The third research theme concerns understanding which factors affect public and policy support for energy policy and changes in energy systems, and how important public concerns can best be addressed as to reduce or prevent resistance. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000496148Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
Frontiers in PsychologyVolume
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
Frontiers Media SASubject
energy transition; sustainable energy behaviour; social sciences; humanities; research agenda; behaviour change; public supportOrganisational unit
03539 - Filippini, Massimo / Filippini, Massimo
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Citations
Cited 9 times in
Web of Science
Cited 12 times in
Scopus
ETH Bibliography
yes
Altmetrics