Work

Introducing citizen energy resilience: Evidence from Finland

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study examines citizen energy resilience (CER) as a sociotechnical construct. Responding to increasing disruptions driven by climate change, market volatility and geopolitical instability, this research conceptualizes CER as emerging from the dynamic interplay of technical systems, governance structures, and citizens' uneven capacities to anticipate, cope with, and recover from energy-related disruptions. Drawing on empirical evidence from Finland, the study analyzes a large corpus of national news media alongside interviews with civil society organizations, municipalities, and energy-sector actors. Through inductive thematic analysis it identifies three interrelated dimensions shaping CER: technical measures and infrastructural conditions, adaptive capacities and community support, and governance and collaboration. The findings show that citizens' ability to cope with energy disruptions is heavily conditioned by unequal access to financial resources, resilience technologies and support structures. Adaptive capacities such as scarcity skills and the ability to respond to disruptions vary significantly across demographic and regional groups. Vulnerable households face the greatest constraints. Governance fragmentation, unclear role division and limited coordination between stakeholders further hinder the development of comprehensive resilience arrangements. At the same time, community-based practices and emerging distributed energy technologies demonstrate significant potential for strengthening resilience. Strengthening CER requires integrated approaches that combine equitable technological pathways, enhanced community capacities and coordinated governance. Embedding these elements into preparedness and energy transition strategies can enhance societies' ability to withstand disruptions, while promoting fair and inclusive energy resilience across populations.

Source: Energy Research & Social Science

DOI: 10.1016/j.erss.2026.104982

Authors: Leena Eerolainen, Mia Ala-Juusela, Marja Helena Sivonen, Sari Vainikainen, Carolyn Cole

Institutions: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Finnish Environment Institute, University of Lapland

Language: English

Topic: Sustainability and Climate Change Governance

Subfield: Global and Planetary Change

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Reduced inequalities, Sustainable cities and communities, Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Climate action

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,450