The Role of Consumers in the Transition toward Low-Carbon Living

Abstract

Improvements in energy efficiency and production of renewable energy hold significant potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions of housing, which accounts for 14% of global greenhouse gas emissions. In our research, we focused on the willingness of owners of detached houses to adopt renewable energy production systems of their own, and we examined perceived barriers to adopting these systems. The research was conducted using a survey and a life cycle assessment model. The survey covered three residential areas in Lahti, Finland, and the potential reductions in greenhouse gas emissions were estimated using a life cycle assessment model based on the survey results. The barriers to transformation were identified as a lack of knowledge in the following three areas: (1) the possible annual savings attained; (2) the costs of implementing energy efficiency and renewable energy production solutions; and (3) the technologies used in renewable energy production. The greenhouse gas emission reductions in the residential areas surveyed would amount to approximately 15% if the consumers implemented the solutions they considered.

Increasing positive climate impact by combining anti‐consumption and consumption changes with impact investing

“…Thus, money is channeled back to the consumption side and there is a risk that its use leads to additional sustainability impacts. However, sustainability impacts may also be positive, for example, through investment in energy efficient home improvement (Claudelin et al, 2017;Dobler et al, 2018).…”

“…Thus, money is channeled back to the consumption side and there is a risk that its use leads to additional sustainability impacts. However, sustainability impacts may also be positive, for example, through investment in energy efficient home improvement (Claudelin et al, 2017; Dobler et al, 2018). According to Statistics Finland (2018a), Finnish household savings are allocated to the following categories: bank deposits 30%, other stocks and shares 27%, insurance 20%, quoted shares 12%, investment funds 7%, and others 5%.…”

The Economic Potential to Support Sustainability through Household Consumption Choices

“…Action must be taken by entities and individuals at all levels: nations, companies and corporations, cities and municipalities; and above all, individual citizens. It is often thought that actions promoting sustainability are costly, especially when it comes to individual customers and the micro level in general [5][6][7][8][9][10]. However, societies and consumers are already spending a great deal of money on operations with minor importance for human well-being.…”