Who saves energy and why? Analysing diverse behaviours in 27 European countries

Abstract

This paper investigates the decision to undertake a range of energy saving actions using individual survey data. Responses to eleven different energy saving actions are examined. These actions are also grouped together under broader curtailment, efficiency and transport categories for additional insights. The final sample comprises over 20,000 responses from a Eurobarometer survey dataset across 27 European countries. Quantitative multivariate modelling is employed to examine the factors that shape the stated conservation choices. The results highlight the heterogeneity of the underlying socio-demographic and attitudinal effects. Age, gender, household composition, occupation, standard of living, accommodation status and location all influence the energy saving choice, but the effects are varied. For example, there is evidence that age has a non-linear effect which takes different forms for each energy saving action examined. The presence of children has counterbalancing effects, increasing the probability of efficiency actions, but decreasing the probability of curtailment actions. Improvements in standards of living have a positive effect on efficiency actions predominantly. In contrast, having expectations that prices will increase into the future has a positive effect on curtailment actions but a negative effect on efficiency actions. The heterogeneity in the pattern of responses highlight why energy conservation policies need a flexible approach. A one size fits all strategy is unlikely to provide enough scope to incentivise higher levels of engagement across all energy saving profile groups.