The Role of Consumers in the Transition toward Low-Carbon Living

Anna Claudelin, Ville Uusitalo, Sanna Pekkola, Maija Leino and Suvi Konsti-Laakso
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Anna Claudelin: School of Energy Systems, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Saimaankatu 11, 15140 Lahti, Finland
Ville Uusitalo: School of Energy Systems, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Saimaankatu 11, 15140 Lahti, Finland
Sanna Pekkola: School of Business and Management, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Saimaankatu 11, 15140 Lahti, Finland
Maija Leino: School of Energy Systems, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Saimaankatu 11, 15140 Lahti, Finland
Suvi Konsti-Laakso: School of Business and Management, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Saimaankatu 11, 15140 Lahti, Finland

Sustainability, 2017, vol. 9, issue 6, 1-15

Abstract: Improvements in energy efficiency and production of renewable energy hold significant potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions of housing, which accounts for 14% of global greenhouse gas emissions. In our research, we focused on the willingness of owners of detached houses to adopt renewable energy production systems of their own, and we examined perceived barriers to adopting these systems. The research was conducted using a survey and a life cycle assessment model. The survey covered three residential areas in Lahti, Finland, and the potential reductions in greenhouse gas emissions were estimated using a life cycle assessment model based on the survey results. The barriers to transformation were identified as a lack of knowledge in the following three areas: (1) the possible annual savings attained; (2) the costs of implementing energy efficiency and renewable energy production solutions; and (3) the technologies used in renewable energy production. The greenhouse gas emission reductions in the residential areas surveyed would amount to approximately 15% if the consumers implemented the solutions they considered.

Keywords: consumer; housing; low carbon; survey; life cycle assessment; sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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