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Efficiency and Consumption: Technology and Practice

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  • Elizabeth Shove

    (University of Lancaster)

Abstract

It is probably true that energy policy has paid more attention to resources and resource efficiencies than to overall consumption. Partly because of this, more needs to be done to conceptualise the dynamics of consumer demand. In this article I take stock of what sociological theories of consumption, technology and practice might contribute to energy and environmental policy. Recent research on a) the future of comfort and b) sustainable domestic technology is used to illustrate and elaborate on the part that technical systems (efficient and otherwise) play in redefining concepts of service and thereby structuring patterns of resource consumption.

Suggested Citation

  • Elizabeth Shove, 2004. "Efficiency and Consumption: Technology and Practice," Energy & Environment, , vol. 15(6), pages 1053-1065, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:engenv:v:15:y:2004:i:6:p:1053-1065
    DOI: 10.1260/0958305043026555
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Geels, Frank W., 2002. "Technological transitions as evolutionary reconfiguration processes: a multi-level perspective and a case-study," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 31(8-9), pages 1257-1274, December.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Strengers, Yolande, 2012. "Peak electricity demand and social practice theories: Reframing the role of change agents in the energy sector," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 226-234.
    3. Foran, Tira & Fleming, David & Spandonide, Bruno & Williams, Rachel & Race, Digby, 2016. "Understanding energy-related regimes: A participatory approach from central Australia," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 315-324.
    4. Bergman, Noam & Schwanen, Tim & Sovacool, Benjamin K., 2017. "Imagined people, behaviour and future mobility: Insights from visions of electric vehicles and car clubs in the United Kingdom," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 165-173.
    5. Ghanem, Dana Abi & Mander, Sarah & Gough, Clair, 2016. "“I think we need to get a better generator”: Household resilience to disruption to power supply during storm events," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 171-180.
    6. Moloney, Susie & Horne, Ralph E. & Fien, John, 2010. "Transitioning to low carbon communities--from behaviour change to systemic change: Lessons from Australia," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(12), pages 7614-7623, December.
    7. Morley, Janine, 2018. "Rethinking energy services: The concept of ‘meta-service’ and implications for demand reduction and servicizing policy," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 563-569.
    8. Panwar, N.L. & Kothari, Surendra & Kaushik, S.C., 2013. "Techno-economic evaluation of masonry type animal feed solar cooker in rural areas of an Indian state Rajasthan," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 583-586.
    9. Torriti, Jacopo, 2012. "Price-based demand side management: Assessing the impacts of time-of-use tariffs on residential electricity demand and peak shifting in Northern Italy," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 44(1), pages 576-583.
    10. Sovacool, Benjamin K., 2011. "Conceptualizing urban household energy use: Climbing the "Energy Services Ladder"," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(3), pages 1659-1668, March.
    11. Verbong, Geert P.J. & Beemsterboer, Sjouke & Sengers, Frans, 2013. "Smart grids or smart users? Involving users in developing a low carbon electricity economy," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 117-125.
    12. van Welie, Mara J. & Cherunya, Pauline C. & Truffer, Bernhard & Murphy, James T., 2018. "Analysing transition pathways in developing cities: The case of Nairobi's splintered sanitation regime," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 259-271.
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    14. Axsen, Jonn & TyreeHageman, Jennifer & Lentz, Andy, 2012. "Lifestyle practices and pro-environmental technology," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 64-74.

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