Energy related behaviour change Dr Heather Lovell School of GeoSciences University of Edinburgh 2 nd Feb 2012

Introduction 1.What is energy behaviour change? 2.What do people in Scotland think about energy behaviour change? 3.Questions & discussion

1. What is energy related behaviour change? Usual definition: behaviours that reduce energy demand in the home, undertaken by householders Broad definition: Behaviours that influence energy demand in the home, undertaken by householders and housebuilders/landlords & utilities

Both sides of the equation ProducersUsers

Social housing sector as leader Figure 3 – Initiators of UK low energy housing by tenure source: Lovell (2005)

Heat and the City project: sustainable heat and energy conservation UK Research Councils - Energy programme funding Four year project Edinburgh and Strathclyde Universities Multidisciplinary team

What we are doing Successful community heating development –UK and European experience Case studies Years 2-4 –Edinburgh and Glasgow Collaborative research approach

Householder district heating surveys Cables Wynd, Leith, Edinburgh – district heating installation in progress (c.200 homes) Wyndford Estate, Maryhill, Glasgow – district heating/CHP installed in late 2012 (c.1500 homes)

2. What do people in Scotland think about energy behaviour change? Scottish Environmental Attitudes and Behaviour Survey (2008) Face-to-face interviews with c3000 people in late 2008

Knowledge about Climate Change?

Main Actions Likely to Ameliorate Climate Change? Recycling (45%) Avoiding waste (36%) Using a more fuel efficient car (32%) Taking fewer foreign holidays (12%)

Interpretation 1 Kerbside recycling plus information has made an impact Public measures, which make change in behaviour practical, convenient and ‘cost free’, work!

Interpretation 2 - ‘we all do a little’? Does the fact that 45% cite recycling as priority mean that people believe they can fix the problem by minor adaptations to lifestyle? What level of understanding?

Interpretation 3 - question assumes individual responsibility? Answers based on choice of 13 ‘individual’ actions Opportunity to say ‘none of these’ But not to give an answer which prioritises: –Collective responsibility –Or use of government powers of regulation in energy supply, building standards, environment… –Or major investment in infrastructure: public transport, renewable energy, micro-generation etc

Environmental problems require societal solutions Societies respond differently to environmental damage Depending on political, economic and social institutions Users & producers

Any questions? Heat and the City Project: Edinburgh & Strathclyde Universities