Study title

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.The Role of Community-Based Initiatives in Energy Saving, 2010-2014 project aimed to make a significant contribution to our understanding of the role that community-based initiatives can play in fostering net energy savings in UK households. Specifically the researchers ask, "can community-based initiatives make a measurable contribution to sustained net energy savings and if so how?" The project adopts a mixed-methods approach. A field experiment with action research elements is combined with a quantitative network analysis survey and semi-structured interviews of community group organisers and participants. The main objectives of the research were to: examine whether community action on climate change and energy security issues is likely to achieve significant energy savings through encouraging behaviour change and the establishment of new social practicesexamine the household energy savings from practically achievable improvements in the thermal performance of existing dwellings, taking into account both direct and indirect rebound effectsexplore the conditions required for successful community intervention on energy security and climate change issues, across a range of initiatives and contextsinform policy on climate change and energy security, including schemes to upgrade the UK housing stock motivated by government carbon reduction targets as well as third sector relationship strategiesinform the work of community initiatives and third sector organisations working towards transition to a low carbon economy and societyFurther information is available from the University of Southampton Sustainable Energy Research Group website and the ESRC award webpage. Main Topics:The study includes four separate elements: Energy and spending survey Participants were surveyed on their energy use, including home energy, transport and consumption aspects. They were survey-interviewed in their own home...