University of Sussex
Browse
__smbhome.uscs.susx.ac.uk_tjk30_Documents_untitled.pdf (1.7 MB)

Hot transformations: governing rapid and deep household heating transitions in China, Denmark, Finland and the United Kingdom

Download (1.7 MB)
Version 2 2023-06-12, 09:21
Version 1 2023-06-09, 20:31
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-12, 09:21 authored by Benjamin SovacoolBenjamin Sovacool, Mari MartiskainenMari Martiskainen
The rapid decarbonisation of heat remains a challenging energy and climate policy priority. In this study, after screening 461 global case studies, we examine four national household transitions in heat, and examine their implications for governance. These transitions were both rapid, involving transformations in heat provision in a short timeframe of 18 to 35 years; and deep, involving diffusion that collectively reached more than 100 million households and more than 310 million people. From 1995 to 2015, China stimulated industrial research with strong municipal and national targets and policies to the point where they saw adoption rates for solar thermal systems surpass 95% market penetration in many urban areas. From 1976 to 2011, Denmark blended small-scale decentralized community control with national standards and policies to promote district heating so it reached 80% of household needs. From 2000 to 2018, Finland harnessed user and peer-to-peer learning, and innovation, alongside national and European policies and incentives so that heat pumps reached almost a third of all homes. From 1960 to 1977, The United Kingdom coordinated a nationalized Gas Council and Area Boards with industry groups, appliance manufacturers, installers and marketing campaigns so that gas central heating reached almost half of all homes. These four rapid case studies share commonalities in polycentric governance, rooted in (1) equity, (2) inclusivity, (3) information and innovation, (4) ownership and accountability, (5) organizational multiplicity, and (6) experimentation and flexibility. The study affirms that designing the right sort of political and governance architecture can be just as salient as technical innovation and development.

Funding

SWS Heat: Developing the next generation technologies of renewable electricity and heating/cooling; G2475; EUROPEAN UNION; 764025

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

Energy Policy

ISSN

0301-4215

Publisher

Elsevier

Volume

139

Article number

a111330

Department affiliated with

  • SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2020-02-05

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2020-02-24

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2020-02-04

Usage metrics

    University of Sussex (Publications)

    Categories

    No categories selected

    Licence

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC