A research agenda to better understand the human dimensions of energy transitions
Date
2021
Authors
Steg, Linda
Perlaviciute, Goda
Sovacool, Benjamin K.
Bonaiuto, Marino
Diekmann, Andreas
Filippini, Massimo
Hindriks, Frank
Bergstad, Cecilia Jacobbson
Matthies, Ellen
Matti, Simon
Version
Published version
OA Version
Citation
L. Steg, G. Perlaviciute, B.K. Sovacool, M. Bonaiuto, A. Diekmann, M. Filippini, F. Hindriks, C.J. Bergstad, E. Matthies, S. Matti, M. Mulder, A. Nilsson, S. Pahl, M. Roggenkamp, G. Schuitema, P.C. Stern, M. Tavoni, J. Thøgersen, E. Woerdman. 2021. "A Research Agenda to Better Understand the Human Dimensions of Energy Transitions." Frontiers in Psychology, Volume 12, pp.672776-. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.672776
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.
Description
License
Copyright © 2021 Steg, Perlaviciute, Sovacool, Bonaiuto, Diekmann, Filippini, Hindriks, Bergstad, Matthies, Matti, Mulder, Nilsson, Pahl, Roggenkamp, Schuitema, Stern, Tavoni, Thøgersen and Woerdman. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.