We draw on data collected in CHANGING BEHAVIOUR to explore user involvement in energy change. When analysing the ways in which our case programmes had learned about energy end-users’ needs, we found the following approaches:
We found that none of these approaches provides a ‘silver bullet’ to achieve success and change end-user behaviour. The approaches to learning about the end-users reflect slightly different approaches to planning. The paper explores the pros and cons of various approaches to learning about end-users. We conclude that methods for engaging end-users should be context-sensitive and allow practitioners to go “beyond method” – and beyond the view of end-users as passive recipients of approved solutions – to adopt a relational approach to end-users. This means understanding one’s own relation to the end-users and viewing the end-users in a broader dynamic context. Rather than examining and working with isolated end-users, there is a need for tools that address end-users in context.
Full paper: Heiskanen, E., Johnson, M. & Vadovics, E. (2009). Creating Lasting Change in Energy Use Patterns through Improved User Involvement. Paper for the conference Joint Actions on Climate Change, Aalborg, June 9-10, 2009.
]]>Full paper: Heiskanen, E., Hodson, M., Kallaste, T., Maier, P., Marvin, S., Mourik, R., Rinne, S., Saastamoinen, M. & Vadovics, E.(2009) A rose by any other name…? New contexts and players in European energy efficiency programmes. In Act, Innovate, Deliver. Proceedings of the eceee 2009 Summer Study. Stockholm: European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy. pp. 247-257.
eceee 2009 Summer Study Paper: New contexts and players in European energy efficiency programmes
Full paper: Heiskanen, E. & Rask, M. (2008). From Sociotechnical Theory to Sociotechnical Practice: An Action Research Project. Proceedings of the 2nd Conference of the Sustainable Consumption Research Exchange (SCORE!) Network Sustainable Consumption and Production: Framework for Action. Refereed sessions 5 : pp. 3-16.
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Full article: Backhaus, J. (2010) Intermediaries as Innovating Actors in the Transition to a Sustainable Energy System. Central European Journal of Public Policy 4 (1): 86–109.
]]>Full paper: Backhaus, J., Mourik, R. & Breukers, S. (2010). Learning in single & double loops – interaction as key to scientific & practical insights. Paper presented at the EASST conference 2010, 2nd-4th September 2010, Trento, Italy.
]]>Full paper: Heiskanen, E., Johnson, M., Robinson, S., Vadovics, E. & Saastamoinen, M. Low-Carbon Communities as a Context for Individual Change. Energy Policy, Articles in press, doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2009.07.002
Submitted paper: Low carbon communities as a context for behavioural change
The learning tools have recently been tested in six pilot projects and this paper discusses the experiences of two of them. We discuss the extent to which the ‘learning tools’ have encouraged social learning. Although the paper is explorative, we can conclude that the tools contribute to the creation of a setting that is conducive to social learning. Several activities can be helpful for intermediaries to reflect on their own role and assumptions, the targeted behaviour, the target group and the social context of the project. The final toolkit should be sufficiently flexible and context-sensitive to cater for the diverging needs of different intermediaries. In addition, as the pilots indicated, the role of external coaches who encourage the pilot manager to make use of the tools and who take on the role of a sparring partner appear to have been quite significant as well.
Full paper: Breukers, S., Backhaus, J., Mourik, R., Hodson, M., Marvin, S. & Brohmann, B. (2010). PRACTICING LEARNING AND LEARNING IN PRACTICE. Testing learning tools for energy demand side management projects. Proceedings of ERSCP/EMSU 2010.
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Paper_ERSCP-EMSU_2010_05.09.2010 (934.86 kB)
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Research_Note_1_2008 (93.18 kB)
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A summary of this excersise is available in CHANGING BEHAVIOUR Research Note 2
Rating Expert Advice for How to Change Energy Behaviour (150.31 kB).
]]>Some practitioners might argue that timing is an issue of “luck” and that it cannot be influenced. Our case studies, however, show some ways in which programme managers can deal improve their timing:
Full paper: Rask, M., Heiskanen, E., Mourik, R. M. & Feenstra, Feenstra, C.F.J. (2008). The role of timing in the success of energy saving programmes. Paper presented at the Sustainable Consumption Conference, Corvinus University, Budapest, October 8, 2008.
Conference Paper: The role of timing in the success of energy saving programmes
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