tagged w/ EECA
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Dr Wokje Abrahamse of Otago University and Dr Lauren Christie of Victoria University of Wellington present their views of research theory and engagement principles. Wokje introduces the theoretical barriers to change and discusses the results from a systematic review of 38 studies to determine the effect of interventions designed to conserve household energy use.
Given the findings from her PhD research, Lauren introduces five key principles that should be used when designing interventions to encourage the uptake of energy efficiency technologies.
Both Wokje and Lauren conclude that in each and every case, 1 – the specific barriers to change for that target group and problem need to be understood first, and 2 – that a combination of approaches should be used.
The powerpoint presentation can be viewed here.Dr Wokje Abrahamse of Otago University and Dr Lauren Christie of Victoria University... more
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Dr Rob Lawson and Daniel Gnoth of the Otago University Energy Research Centre, present the preliminary findings of the FRST-funded, 3 year Energy Cultures project, which EECA is a part of. They discuss the results from one case study area in particular: an affluent, urban area that is in a good position to make smarter energy decisions – by having access to sufficient capital and information. The findings from this research showed that people are more willing to change behaviours and invest in items when they are comfortable and convenient to do. They also discussed their ‘behaviour-consequence-value chain’ approach to understanding why people will or will not change their behaviour. It became clear that the most important drivers that made people either change or refuse to change energy-related behaviours, was ‘being capable’ and ‘intelligent’.
The powerpoint presentation can be viewed here.Dr Rob Lawson and Daniel Gnoth of the Otago University Energy Research Centre, present... more
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Penny Turner (standing in for Debra Hall) from Synovate and Pat Murray from EECA, present the findings of their ‘values’ research. This research was about understanding how we can encourage people to make space in their minds to think about using energy wisely. This is especially when their mind is already filled up with other important decisions (for example food and shelter, work, and friends, family and relationships). They found four key groups of motivations to encourage energy-related behaviour change: sustainable future, warm comfortable home, family wellness, and $$$$$’s. It is then illustrated how the findings from this research have been used to develop a behaviour change television campaign for EECA, ‘the Energy Spot’.Penny Turner (standing in for Debra Hall) from Synovate and Pat Murray from EECA,... more
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Alison Cossar, from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, discusses behavioural analysis outputs from a top-down policy perspective. In particular, she discusses how policy should see behavioural economics as complimentary to the neoclassical approach traditionally used. Alison states how the big problem for government departments and policy makers is how they should apply such behavioural economic principles. Consequently, she presents a number of suggestions for how these principles can be applied to designing policy interventions.Alison Cossar, from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, discusses behavioural analysis... more
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Sally Blackwell, Executive Officer of the Energy Efficiency Community Network (EECN), discusses community engagement projects. Sally gives a bottom-up perspective to behaviour change with an example of a community engagement project that the EECN has been running: the ‘Home Energy Advice Centre’. The results from an assessment of the impact this advice was actually having on participants are provided. In particular, this assessment highlighted that community groups, such as the EECN, are the most preferred type of organisation for households to receive advice from. The need for a bottom-up approach and to engage the end user and their communities was a strong thread that came through all the presentations and workshops.Sally Blackwell, Executive Officer of the Energy Efficiency Community Network (EECN),... more
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Don Wright, from Downer Transport Company, provides a really exciting industry case study. He discusses how Downer has made huge reductions in their operational costs through a combination of methods aimed at motivating truck drivers to change their driving habits.Don Wright, from Downer Transport Company, provides a really exciting industry case... more
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Dr Ruth Mourik is an international behaviour change expert from the Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN). She discusses a current European research project called ‘Changing Behaviour’. This project is developing a toolkit for energy experts and intermediaries to improve end user uptakeDr Ruth Mourik is an international behaviour change expert from the Energy Research... more
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