Identification and Communication of Factors in End-Users' Discretionary and Non-discretionary Energy Consumption

Investigators
David Goldblatt

Partner
G. Dürrenberger, C. Hartmann, ETHZ

Time Frame
7/1999- 7/2002

Funding
Strategy Sustainability ETH

Abstract
This work considers determinants of and constraints on end-user energy consumption on several levels and scales and from various perspectives. These determinants, and especially end-users' apprehension and perception of them in a communicative context, are explored through wide-ranging literature reviews, constructs, and experimental interactive sessions with an enhanced personal energy budget computer program.

Contents:

1 English Summary

4 Publications

5 Presentations

1 English Summary

Conventional consumer and household energy analysis focuses on direct, discretionary choices of individuals that influence energy demand. But institutional, socio-technological, and historical constraints are at least as important as personal ones in explaining individuals' patterns and levels of energy consumption. This research seeks to test the practicability and utility of illuminating the role of such non-discretionary factors -- the evolution and interaction of infrastructures, technologies, economic orders, social norms, etc. - for lay end-users. Their appreciation of these factors may be crucial to their role in shaping societal and environmental outcomes as well as in making their own personal, discretionary consumption choices.

The research is meant to help facilitate lay individuals' efforts to further environmental sustainability. It points to answers to the question: what kind of information is most effective to communicate to individuals to help them change their patterns or levels of energy consumption in order to bring the household sector's consumption more in line with sustainable levels? Or, what kind of end-user knowledge is most important for this aim, and what might be useful means of encapsulating and communicating it?

The theoretical part of the dissertation consists of extensive reviews and discourses on consumption, knowledge, and communication. The experimental part will use a carefully enhanced personal energy-CO2 calculator with subjects in interactive-interview settings to test specific hypotheses. An envisioned final section will cast theoretical and empirical findings in the context of the field of ecological modernization.

4 Publications

• Goldblatt, D., "Perspectives on Lay Knowledge of Energy Consumption and its Communication", June 2000.

• Goldblatt, D., "Northern Consumption: A Critical Review of Issues, Driving Forces, Disciplinary Approaches and Critiques", CEPE Internal Report, Zurich, 1999.

5 Presentations

• "Perspectives on Lay Knowledge of Energy Consumption and its Communication", Infrastructures of Consumption & the Environment: A Winter Workshop, Wageningen, 25-28 November 2000.

• "Northern Consumption: Literature review and comments on issues, driving forces, disciplinary approaches and critiques", CEPE lunch talk, CEPE ETH Zurich, 13 January 2000.