Role of Community-Based Initiatives in Energy Saving, 2010-2014

The <i>Role of Community-Based Initiatives in Energy Saving, 2010-2014</i> project aimed to make a significant contribution to our understanding of the role that community-based initiatives can play in fostering net energy savings in UK households. Specifically the researchers ask, "can community-based initiatives make a measurable contribution to sustained net energy savings and if so how?" The project adopts a mixed-methods approach. A field experiment with action research elements is combined with a quantitative network analysis survey and semi-structured interviews of community group organisers and participants. <br> <br> The main objectives of the research were to: <ul><li>examine whether community action on climate change and energy security issues is likely to achieve significant energy savings through encouraging behaviour change and the establishment of new social practices</li><li>examine the household energy savings from practically achievable improvements in the thermal performance of existing dwellings, taking into account both direct and indirect rebound effects</li><li>explore the conditions required for successful community intervention on energy security and climate change issues, across a range of initiatives and contexts</li><li>inform policy on climate change and energy security, including schemes to upgrade the UK housing stock motivated by government carbon reduction targets as well as third sector relationship strategies</li><li>inform the work of community initiatives and third sector organisations working towards transition to a low carbon economy and society</li></ul>Further information is available from the University of Southampton <a class="external" href="http://www.energy.soton.ac.uk/communities/" title="Research project: Community Based Initiatives in Energy Saving">Sustainable Energy Research Group</a> website and the <a class="external" href="http://www.researchcatalogue.esrc.ac.uk/grants/RES-628-25-0059/read" title="The role of community-based initiatives in energy saving">ESRC</a> award webpage.<br> <br>