Energy sufficiency through social innovation in housing

• Published in: Energy policy Vol. 126; pp. 287 - 294
• Main Authors: Lorek, Sylvia, Spangenberg, Joachim H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2019; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Attention; Criteria; Energy conservation; Energy consumption; Energy efficiency; Energy management; Energy policy; Food; Households; Housing; Innovations; Recreation; Reduction; Residential areas; Residential buildings; Residential energy; Savings; Social innovation; Sufficiency; Energy consumption; Sufficiency; Households; Social innovation
• ISSN: 0301-4215; 1873-6777
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2018.11.026

Experience shows that energy savings through energy efficiency measures are partly compensated by income growth, and partly by rebound effects. Therefore to be effective, efficiency measures have to be embedded in a concept of sufficiency which strives for limits and absolute reduction of energy consumption. While the sufficiency concept is not new, it only recently gained attention in the field of housing. This paper provides a basis for broader and more informed debates in policy and research on the potential of sufficiency considerations to contribute to the overall reduction of energy consumption in the residential sector. It recommends shifting the attention from energy consumption of buildings towards a concept of sustainable homes in which e.g. the size of the living area plays a crucial role. A further important aspect is the possibility to fulfil other basic needs like the provision with food, recreation and social contacts in the nearby environment. The paper describes first examples of housing projects guided by sufficiency criteria, depicts the potential roles of different actor groups and points towards some general policy recommendations. •Increase of m2 living area per person counteracts efficiency gains.•Quality living space on reduced size requires innovative provisioning functions.•Policy instruments need to expand to sufficiency solutions in addition to efficiency.•Creative communication processes help to build trust between stakeholders involved.