When Words Save Watts: Government Communication and Household Electricity Use

Marie Bruguet ()
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Marie Bruguet: LEDa - Laboratoire d'Economie de Dauphine - IRD - Institut de Recherche pour le Développement - Université Paris Dauphine-PSL - PSL - Université Paris Sciences et Lettres - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, CEC - Chaire Economie du Climat - Université Paris Dauphine-PSL - PSL - Université Paris Sciences et Lettres

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Abstract: A fundamental question for policymakers is whether communication can serve as an effective policy instrument. This paper examines France's energy crisis of 2022, during which surging prices prompted one of Europe's largest conservation campaigns. The present study investigates the relationship between official messaging, public attention and electricity demand. The analysis of the causal chain reveals that the effectiveness of communication depends on two factors: message framing and household flexibility. The findings indicate that information campaigns have the capacity to augment existing demand-side flexibility rather than creating it, thereby constraining their effectiveness as a standalone policy instrument.

Keywords: lectricity consumption; Government communication; Behavioral response (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026-07-15
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