Introduction: New directions in energy demand research

Kirsten Jenkins, Steven Sorrell, Debbie Hopkins, Cameron Roberts

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceeding with ISSN or ISBNChapterpeer-review

    Abstract

    Meeting the goals enshrined in the Paris Agreement and limiting global temperature increases to less than 2°C above pre-industrial levels demands rapid reductions in global carbon dioxide emissions. Reducing energy demand has a central role in achieving this goal, but existing policy initiatives have been largely incremental in terms of the technological and behavioural changes they encourage. Against this background, this book develops a sociotechnical approach to the challenge of reducing energy demand and illustrates this with a number of empirical case studies from the United Kingdom. In doing so, it explores the emergence, diffusion and impact of low-energy innovations. This chapter introduces the main themes of the book, including explorations of the processes and mechanisms through which different types of innovations become (or fail to become) established, the identification of the role of different groups, assessments of the resulting impacts on energy demand and other social goals, and the development of recommendations for both encouraging the diffusion of such innovations and maximising their long-term impact.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationTransitions in Energy Efficiency and Demand
    Subtitle of host publicationThe Emergence, Diffusion and Impact of Low-Carbon Innovation
    PublisherRoutledge
    Chapter1
    Pages1-13
    Number of pages13
    Volume1
    Edition1
    ISBN (Print)9781351127257
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 20 Dec 2018

    Publication series

    NameRoutledge Studies in Energy Transitions

    Bibliographical note

    The Open Access version of this book, available at www.taylorfrancis.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons AttributionNon Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 license.

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