The Role of Community Energy Schemes in Reducing Energy Poverty and Promoting Social Inclusion: A Systematic Literature Review

Pariman Boostani (), Giuseppe Pellegrini-Masini and Jørgen Klein
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Pariman Boostani: Department of Teacher Education, The Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
Giuseppe Pellegrini-Masini: Department of Teacher Education, The Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
Jørgen Klein: Department of Teacher Education, The Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 13, 1-29

Abstract: Sustainable energy projects can help societies reduce climate change’s negative impacts. In the present paper, published studies regarding European community energy schemes (CESs) were analysed to investigate CESs’ barriers and drivers towards including community members and, more specifically, vulnerable groups. This review followed the PRISMA guidelines to ensure transparency. Exclusion and inclusion criteria were defined to select the proper articles and books that were aligned with the scope of this review. A total of 143 publications from 2019 to February 2024 were considered and selected. Content analysis was used to outline the various definitions of energy poverty, vulnerable groups, and CESs as well as the different strategies and approaches followed by European countries to tackle energy poverty and increase public engagement in CESs. This research suggests that environmental citizenship is a concept that can bring individuals and society together to promote changes in energy-related behaviours. The outcome reveals factors that enhance community energy acceptance and social cohesion such as providing energy education or education for sustainability to community members, financial support, increased prosocial culture, and the participation of vulnerable groups in CESs. This can be achieved through various interventions to help community members, including vulnerable groups, understand sustainable energy behaviour and thus reduce energy poverty.

Keywords: community energy schemes; energy poverty; energy vulnerability; vulnerable groups; education for sustainability; environmental citizenship (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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