IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/nat/natene/v9y2024i5d10.1038_s41560-024-01506-w.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A relational approach to characterizing householder perceptions of disruption in heat transitions

Author

Listed:
  • Gareth Hugh Thomas

    (Cardiff University)

  • Jack Flower

    (University of Strathclyde)

  • Rob Gross

    (Imperial College)

  • Karen Henwood

    (Cardiff University)

  • Fiona Shirani

    (Cardiff University)

  • Jamie Speirs

    (University of Strathclyde)

  • Nick Pidgeon

    (Cardiff University)

Abstract

Heat decarbonization threatens substantial disruptions in temperate countries. However, the concept of disruption carries diverse meanings, potentially relating to cost, material space and everyday heating practices. Here, using interpretive risk theory, this article elucidates a relational understanding of how disruption is experienced and takes on meaning in everyday life. We deploy this framework to examine perceptions of four low-carbon heating technologies—heat pumps, hydrogen, hybrid heating and heat networks—alongside associated upgrades to distribution network infrastructure. Drawing on data from six, 1-day workshops representing a diversity of geographic and housing contexts across the United Kingdom, we address how existing relationships shape hopes, fears and expectations for heat decarbonization. Our findings help clarify the role of affective relationships, feelings of precarity, security and pressure in distinguishing material inconveniences from more fundamental disruptions to valued ways of life, and may be particularly relevant in other gas-dependent countries and regions.

Suggested Citation

  • Gareth Hugh Thomas & Jack Flower & Rob Gross & Karen Henwood & Fiona Shirani & Jamie Speirs & Nick Pidgeon, 2024. "A relational approach to characterizing householder perceptions of disruption in heat transitions," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 9(5), pages 570-579, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natene:v:9:y:2024:i:5:d:10.1038_s41560-024-01506-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41560-024-01506-w
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-024-01506-w
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1038/s41560-024-01506-w?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Åsa Boholm & Hervé Corvellec, 2011. "A relational theory of risk," Journal of Risk Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 14(2), pages 175-190, February.
    2. Butler, C. & Demski, C. & Parkhill, K. & Pidgeon, N. & Spence, A., 2015. "Public values for energy futures: Framing, indeterminacy and policy making," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 665-672.
    3. Nicolette Fox, 2023. "Increasing solar entitlement and decreasing energy vulnerability in a low-income community by adopting the Prosuming Project," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 74-83, January.
    4. Rob Bellamy & Javier Lezaun & James Palmer, 2019. "Perceptions of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage in different policy scenarios," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-9, December.
    5. Jason Chilvers & Rob Bellamy & Helen Pallett & Tom Hargreaves, 2021. "A systemic approach to mapping participation with low-carbon energy transitions," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 6(3), pages 250-259, March.
    6. Christian Scheve & Markus Lange, 2023. "Risk entanglement and the social relationality of risk," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-10, December.
    7. Thomas Krikser & Adriano Profeta & Sebastian Grimm & Heiko Huther, 2020. "Willingness-to-Pay for District Heating from Renewables of Private Households in Germany," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-14, May.
    8. Tom Hargreaves & Lucie Middlemiss, 2020. "The importance of social relations in shaping energy demand," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 5(3), pages 195-201, March.
    9. Jason Chilvers & Rob Bellamy & Helen Pallett & Tom Hargreaves, 2021. "Publisher Correction: A systemic approach to mapping participation with low-carbon energy transitions," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 6(7), pages 764-764, July.
    10. Robert Gross & Richard Hanna, 2019. "Path dependency in provision of domestic heating," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 4(5), pages 358-364, May.
    11. Nick Pidgeon, 2021. "Engaging publics about environmental and technology risks: frames, values and deliberation," Journal of Risk Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(1), pages 28-46, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Vassilis M. Charitopoulos & Mathilde Fajardy & Chi Kong Chyong & David M. Reiner, 2022. "The case of 100% electrification of domestic heat in Great Britain," Working Papers EPRG2206, Energy Policy Research Group, Cambridge Judge Business School, University of Cambridge.
    2. Zhou, Yuekuan & Lund, Peter D., 2023. "Peer-to-peer energy sharing and trading of renewable energy in smart communities ─ trading pricing models, decision-making and agent-based collaboration," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 207(C), pages 177-193.
    3. Kılkış, Şiir & Ulpiani, Giulia & Vetters, Nadja, 2024. "Visions for climate neutrality and opportunities for co-learning in European cities," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).
    4. Radtke, Jörg & Bohn, Nino S., 2023. "Mind the gap: Community member perceptions of shortcomings in diversity and inclusivity of local energy projects in Germany," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    5. Aihui Lyu & Junjiang Li, 2024. "RETRACTED ARTICLE: Urban–rural income gap and economic sustainability: how does energy transition matters?," Economic Change and Restructuring, Springer, vol. 57(2), pages 1-27, April.
    6. Gordon, Joel A. & Balta-Ozkan, Nazmiye & Nabavi, Seyed Ali, 2022. "Beyond the triangle of renewable energy acceptance: The five dimensions of domestic hydrogen acceptance," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 324(C).
    7. Park, Seona & Yun, Sun-Jin & Cho, Kongjang, 2024. "Energy justice: Lessons from offshore wind farm siting conflicts in South Korea," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).
    8. Park, Seona & Yun, Sun-Jin & Cho, Kongjang, 2022. "Public dialogue as a collaborative planning process for offshore wind energy projects: Implications from a text analysis of a South Korean case," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    9. Rebecca Wells & Candice Howarth & Lina I. Brand-Correa, 2021. "Are citizen juries and assemblies on climate change driving democratic climate policymaking? An exploration of two case studies in the UK," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 168(1), pages 1-22, September.
    10. Colvin, R.M. & Przybyszewski, E., 2022. "Local residents' policy preferences in an energy contested region – The Upper Hunter, Australia," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).
    11. Hosan, Shahadat & Sen, Kanchan Kumar & Rahman, Md Matiar & Chapman, Andrew J. & Karmaker, Shamal Chandra & Alam, Mohammad Jahangir & Saha, Bidyut Baran, 2024. "Energy innovation funding and social equity: Mediating role of just energy transition," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 197(C).
    12. Junhong Qu & Xiaoli Hao, 2022. "Digital Economy, Financial Development, and Energy Poverty Based on Mediating Effects and a Spatial Autocorrelation Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-24, July.
    13. Sun, J. & Wen, W. & Wang, M. & Zhou, P., 2022. "Optimizing the provincial target allocation scheme of renewable portfolio standards in China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 250(C).
    14. Burghard, Uta & Breitschopf, Barbara & Wohlfarth, Katharina & Müller, Fabian & Keil, Julia, 2021. "Perception of monetary and non-monetary effects on the energy transition: Results of a mixed method approach," Working Papers "Sustainability and Innovation" S04/2021, Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (ISI).
    15. József Kádár & Martina Pilloni & Tareq Abu Hamed, 2023. "A Survey of Renewable Energy, Climate Change, and Policy Awareness in Israel: The Long Path for Citizen Participation in the National Renewable Energy Transition," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-16, February.
    16. Sovacool, Benjamin K. & Martiskainen, Mari, 2020. "Hot transformations: Governing rapid and deep household heating transitions in China, Denmark, Finland and the United Kingdom," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    17. Ma, Chunyan & Wang, Nan & Chen, Yifeng & Khokarale, Santosh Govind & Bui, Thai Q. & Weiland, Fredrik & Lestander, Torbjörn A. & Rudolfsson, Magnus & Mikkola, Jyri-Pekka & Ji, Xiaoyan, 2020. "Towards negative carbon emissions: Carbon capture in bio-syngas from gasification by aqueous pentaethylenehexamine," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 279(C).
    18. Lauma Balode & Kristiāna Dolge & Dagnija Blumberga, 2021. "The Contradictions between District and Individual Heating towards Green Deal Targets," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-26, March.
    19. Child, Michael & Breyer, Christian, 2017. "Transition and transformation: A review of the concept of change in the progress towards future sustainable energy systems," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 11-26.
    20. Arcigni, Francesco & Friso, Riccardo & Collu, Maurizio & Venturini, Mauro, 2019. "Harmonized and systematic assessment of microalgae energy potential for biodiesel production," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 614-624.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:nat:natene:v:9:y:2024:i:5:d:10.1038_s41560-024-01506-w. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.nature.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.