How Can the Context Affect Policy Decision-Making: The Case of Climate Change Mitigation Policies in the Greek Building Sector

Abstract

Abstract:The influence of context dynamics in the course of the climate change mitigation policy instruments' (PIs) deployment cycle, usually causes a need for policy adaptation mechanisms to ensure that policies can meet the sector needs efficiently and effectively. In this paper, we argue that important contextual factors are the ones that are perceived to have a great impact over policy effectiveness by key related actors. By examining more thoroughly those effects over PIs, as perceived by policy and market actors, useful feedback on observed policy adaptations can be highlighted. In this context, the aim of this paper is to present a conceptual framework which seeks to investigate the impact of key external factors on policy decision-making. This framework is then applied to policies intended to foster sustainability in the Greek building sector. Contextual parameters that are influential over the effectiveness of the national energy conservation measures are identified through a stakeholder survey. Cluster analysis is then employed for the elicitation of three distinct decision-making priorities' scenarios. General macroeconomic trends, energy costs, characteristics of the building sector and socio-institutional factors are prioritized differently from various types of actors and induce certain types of PI changes. Distinguishing among the different types of PI change can help explain better under which contextual circumstances policy adaptations occur and provide guidance to other policy makers when found in similar decisional contexts.

A cluster analysis of investment strategies in the offshore wind energy market

“…The resulting scores in the afore-mentioned observations vary among the different stakeholders. A hierarchical cluster analysis was employed, using SPSS software, to maximize the variability between clusters and minimize distance between objects of the same cluster [2]. Following the calculation of the distances between the objects (using the "squared Euclidean distance"), next step in the clustering process is to determine the number of clusters.…”

“…Finding the suitable number of clusters can be determined through a variety of statistical methods. Yet, the clustering should ultimately fit the purpose of the analysis [2,10] to conceptually support the relevance of the objects of the same cluster. A three-cluster solution was thus adopted and the distinct investor strategy scenarios are documented below:…”

“…The present paper aims at mapping different investor strategies followed by stakeholders in the offshore wind industry in terms of a number of factors through a cluster analysis [2], by processing data obtained from industry for existing installations; we, then, distinguish the major strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats applied to each cluster of stakeholders. The study focuses on offshore wind farms installed in the UK sites, but the methodology can be applied in different regions.…”

Managing Climate Policy Information Facilitating Knowledge Transfer to Policy Makers

“…Policy makers need digestible information to design good policies, and understand their options and the possible impacts of these options [7]. They need access to improved knowledge transfer and uptake, as well as appropriate techniques to manage information and data [8,9]. However, available information is often difficult to access, not in the right format and of limited use to stakeholders [7,10].…”

A “New-Deal” for the Development of Photovoltaic Investments in Greece? A Parametric Techno-Economic Assessment

“…During that period, the Greek economy has been framed by great recession and instability [1] yet the PV market (production, trading and installation) has demonstrated an explosive growth which lead to a market overheat [2]. An essential component of this situation has been the implementation of a legislative and regulatory framework, which provided higher tariffs for in-feed PV generated energy compared to the ones offered in other European countries [3].…”