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2018_05_SWPS_Bergman_and_Foxon.pdf (1.33 MB)

Reorienting finance towards energy efficiency: the case of UK housing

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posted on 2023-06-09, 14:09 authored by Noam BergmanNoam Bergman, Tim FoxonTim Foxon
This paper examines the challenges associated with stimulating large-scale investment in energy efficiency and demand management measures, using residential energy efficiency improving retrofits in the UK as a case study. We consider how issues of energy policy, consumer choice and financial systems intersect, drawing on recent literature including energy policy documents and research reports, and on interviews with stakeholders from the finance sector, energy efficiency practitioners and more. We suggest that following the withdrawal of the Green Deal, there is a need to reconsider the framing of policy for household energy efficiency improvements, and examine three potential aspects of a new framing: energy efficiency as infrastructure; new business and financing models for energy efficiency provision; and decentralised financing institutions for energy efficiency investment. This would require a long-term commitment from government on energy efficiency, and a need to ensure that projects are attractive and investable from both householders and investors’ perspectives. We conclude that there are important roles for government in any large scale initiative for energy efficient retrofitting of UK homes, even if the mechanisms are market based. These includes signalling long-term policy consistency and reducing risks for financial investment, and intermediating between finance and energy efficiency projects.

Funding

Research Centre on Innovation and Energy Demand; G1020; RCUK-RESEARCH COUNCILS UK; EP/K011790/1

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Publisher

SPRU Working Paper Series

Pages

24.0

Place of publication

University of Sussex

Department affiliated with

  • SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit Publications

Research groups affiliated with

  • Sussex Sustainability Research Programme Publications
  • The Sussex Energy Group Publications

Institution

University of Sussex

Full text available

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2018-07-13

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2018-07-13

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2018-07-12

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