Work

Increasing the Efficiency of CO2 Markets for Residentials Consumers with Blockchain Solutions: An Empirical Investigation

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Recent studies highlight blockchain’s potential to enhance residential energy efficiency by enabling traceable, verifiable, and incentivized household actions. This research focuses on optimal organizational models, technology choices, and measurement systems needed to support carbon reduction at the residential level through blockchain. To do so, a multiple-case study was conducted, analyzing six companies that leverage blockchain in the context of carbon markets. Data have been collected through direct, semi-structured interviews with informants from each company. Results from the six cases have been analyzed through a cross-case comparison and clustered to identify three different archetypes of business ecosystem. The results suggests that blockchain supports residential energy efficiency and carbon markets through behavioural incentives, infrastructural integration and hybrid measurement, and reporting and verification systems. They also indicate that blockchain effectiveness depends less on specific protocols than on aligning technological design, governance, and ecosystem context across civic, financial, and institutional models.

Source: Sustainability

DOI: 10.3390/su18063119

Authors: Davide Chiaroni, Martino Bonalumi, Massimo Bello

Institution: Politecnico di Milano

Language: English

Topic: Blockchain Technology Applications and Security

Subfield: Information Systems

Field: Computer Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

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

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896