Dr Rob Lawson and Daniel Gnoth of Otago University Energy Research Centre, present the preliminary findings of the Energy Cultures project. They discuss the results from one case study area in particular: a relatively affluent and urban area that is probably in a situation to make some of the changes. The findings from this research found that people are more willing to change behaviours and invest in items when they are comfortable and convenient to do. They also discuss their ‘behaviour-consequence-value chain’ approach to understanding why people will or will not change their behaviour.
Penny Turner (standing in for Debra Hall) from Synovate and Pat Murray from EECA, present the findings of their ‘values’ research. This research was about understanding how we can encourage people to make space in their minds to think about using energy wisely. This is especially when their mind is already filled up with other important decisions (for example food and shelter, work, and friends, family and relationships). They found four key groups of motivations to encourage energy-related behaviour change: sustainable future, warm comfortable home, family wellness, and $$$$$’s. It is then illustrated how the findings from this research have been used to develop a behaviour change television campaign for EECA, ‘the Energy Spot’.
Sally Blackwell, Executive Officer of the Energy Efficiency Community Network (EECN), discusses community engagement projects. Sally gives a bottom-up perspective to behaviour change with an example of a community engagement project that the EECN has been running: the ‘Home Energy Advice Centre’. The results from an assessment of the impact this advice was actually having on participants are provided. In particular, this assessment highlighted that community groups, such as the EECN, are the most preferred type of organisation for households to receive advice from.
Dr Rob Lawson and Daniel Gnoth of Otago University Energy Research Centre, present the preliminary findings of the Energy Cultures project. They discuss the results from one case study area in particular: a relatively affluent and urban area that is probably in a situation to make some of the changes. The findings from this research found that people are more willing to change behaviours and invest in items when they are comfortable and convenient to do. They also discuss their ‘behaviour-consequence-value chain’ approach to understanding why people will or will not change their behaviour.
Penny Turner (standing in for Debra Hall) from Synovate and Pat Murray from EECA, present the findings of their ‘values’ research. This research was about understanding how we can encourage people to make space in their minds to think about using energy wisely. This is especially when their mind is already filled up with other important decisions (for example food and shelter, work, and friends, family and relationships). They found four key groups of motivations to encourage energy-related behaviour change: sustainable future, warm comfortable home, family wellness, and $$$$$’s. It is then illustrated how the findings from this research have been used to develop a behaviour change television campaign for EECA, ‘the Energy Spot’.
Sally Blackwell, Executive Officer of the Energy Efficiency Community Network (EECN), discusses community engagement projects. Sally gives a bottom-up perspective to behaviour change with an example of a community engagement project that the EECN has been running: the ‘Home Energy Advice Centre’. The results from an assessment of the impact this advice was actually having on participants are provided. In particular, this assessment highlighted that community groups, such as the EECN, are the most preferred type of organisation for households to receive advice from.
EECA Chief Executive, Mike Underhill, explains the New Zealand context and why EECA is interested in motivating change. He provides a brief introduction to energy use and supply in New Zealand and how behaviour change will have a major impact on these sectors. A range of examples of the types of interventions and campaigns that EECA is currently doing are provided. Mike believes that behaviour change is the key to unlocking potential and with behaviour change alone, we can get a 20% improvement in energy use in New Zealand. However, he also realises that this is the hardest thing to change.
Dr Wokje Abrahamse of Otago University and Dr Lauren Christie of Victoria University of Wellington present their views of research theory and engagement principles. Wokje introduces the theoretical barriers to change and discusses the results from a systematic review of 38 studies to determine the effect of interventions designed to conserve household energy use.
Given the findings from her PhD research, Lauren introduces five key principles that should be used when designing interventions to encourage the uptake of energy efficiency technologies. Both Wokje and Lauren conclude that in each and every case, 1 – the specific barriers to change for that target group and problem need to be understood first, and 2 – that a combination of approaches should be used.
EECA Chief Executive, Mike Underhill, explains the New Zealand context and why EECA is interested in motivating change. He provides a brief introduction to energy use and supply in New Zealand and how behaviour change will have a major impact on these sectors. A range of examples of the types of interventions and campaigns that EECA is currently doing are provided. Mike believes that behaviour change is the key to unlocking potential and with behaviour change alone, we can get a 20% improvement in energy use in New Zealand. However, he also realises that this is the hardest thing to change.
Dr Wokje Abrahamse of Otago University and Dr Lauren Christie of Victoria University of Wellington present their views of research theory and engagement principles. Wokje introduces the theoretical barriers to change and discusses the results from a systematic review of 38 studies to determine the effect of interventions designed to conserve household energy use.
Given the findings from her PhD research, Lauren introduces five key principles that should be used when designing interventions to encourage the uptake of energy efficiency technologies. Both Wokje and Lauren conclude that in each and every case, 1 – the specific barriers to change for that target group and problem need to be understood first, and 2 – that a combination of approaches should be used.