Assessing the societal impacts of green demonstration homes: a Canadian case study

Abstract

Background: This article investigates the overall societal impacts of the REEP House for Sustainable Living (REEP House) in Kitchener, Canada. Methods: Available information on green demonstration homes (GDHs) is reviewed to identify their goals, past assessment practices and their impacts on different measures ranging from energy consumption to behavioural changes. From this, the need for a multicriteria framework for evaluating GDHs is demonstrated. Drawing upon the GDH experience, the broader impact assessment literature, knowledge gained from community-focused recreational events and information from open eco-homes, such a framework is developed.

Influence and Action Mechanisms of Governmental Relations Embeddedness for Fostering Green Production Demonstration Household: Evidence from Shaanxi, Sichuan, and Anhui Province, China

“…According to the core concept of different embedded subjects, government relationship embedding can be subdivided into three forms: relationship embedding with (i) the government's general staff, (ii) professional and technical personnel, and (iii) village cadre relationship embedding (for more details see Wei and Li [56]). However, government relations can be embedded through various channels, such as government staff, industry professionals and technical personnel, and village cadres which may foster crucial farmers' production practices [52,57], and can act as support agents in cultivating green production demonstration households [58,59]. In general, governmental relationship embedding can provide farmers with resources and cognitive support, create a viable green production atmosphere, strengthen farmers' recognition and green production policy awareness, and improve farmers' green production behaviors' ability [60,61].…”