Work

Getting warmed up: Challenges to participatory decarbonization of a local residential heating system in Poland

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: In this paper, we examined the existing and potential engagement of different households' types in the residential heating system’s transition in Poland. We developed a typology of different modes of households' engagement (material and discursive) in energy transitions. Based on our data from a representative survey, desk research, in-depth interviews, and citizen workshops, we identified key enabling and hindering contextual factors of social, economic, geopolitical, environmental, and technological nature and conducted a cluster analysis to identify six distinct personas (types of households) analyzing them in terms of current and potential engagement under the influence of identified contextual factors. Our findings show that, until recently, heating has been a relatively unproblematized issue, commonly viewed as a “seamless service”. Currently, as a result of dynamically changing external conditions, households' interest in the low-carbon transition is growing. However, it is crucial to recognize the varying approaches and values of different households.

Source: Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions

DOI: 10.1016/j.eist.2024.100959

Authors: Alicja Dańkowska, Agata Stasik, Tomasz Niedziółka, Agata Dembek

Institutions: Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology, Kozminski University

Language: English

Topic: Social Acceptance of Renewable Energy

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Affordable and clean energy, Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,410