The utility of using a top-down conduct-of-life-based approach for explaining energy consumption behaviour : evidence from Switzerland

Tomic, Uros; Schubert, Iljana; Burger, Paul

doi:10.1007/s12053-023-10127-3

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-28087

Publication type:	Article in scientific journal
Type of review:	Peer review (publication)
Title:	The utility of using a top-down conduct-of-life-based approach for explaining energy consumption behaviour : evidence from Switzerland
Authors:	Tomic, Uros Schubert, Iljana Burger, Paul
et. al:	No
DOI:	10.1007/s12053-023-10127-3 10.21256/zhaw-28087
Published in:	Energy Efficiency
Volume(Issue):	16
Issue:	5
Page(s):	49
Issue Date:	14-Jun-2023
Publisher / Ed. Institution:	Springer
ISSN:	1570-646X 1570-6478
Language:	English
Subjects:	Household energy consumption; One-size-fits-all; Segmentation; Tailored intervention; Conduct of life group; Behaviour change
Subject (DDC):	150: Psychology 333.79: Energy
Abstract:	Programmes for reducing household energy consumption have so far shown only minor effects. The literature offers many explanations for this, such as rebound effects, efficiency paradox and culturally rooted daily routines. In addition, interventions are often designed in a one-size-fits-all manner and do not account for societal differences through segmentation and tailored interventions. One of the challenges associated with the implementation of tailored interventions is the lack of agreement on how to identify societal segments, and the lack of clarity on which segment should be addressed by which type of intervention. Against this backdrop, we explore the applicability of the theory-driven Otte conduct of life segmentation with three energy consumption behaviours. Utilizing survey data from 5015 respondents, we demonstrate that there are significant conduct-of-life-specific differences in showering, endowment with information and entertainment electronics and air travel. The only two conduct of life groups who demonstrate consistent behavioural patterns across the three behaviours are the reflexives, who consistently over-consume, and conventionalists, who consistently under-consume energy. We put forward suggestions on how to apply our findings to tailor interventions.
Further description:	Erworben im Rahmen der Schweizer Nationallizenzen (http://www.nationallizenzen.ch)
URI:	https://digitalcollection.zhaw.ch/handle/11475/28087
Fulltext version:	Published version
License (according to publishing contract):	CC BY 4.0: Attribution 4.0 International
Departement:	School of Engineering
Organisational Unit:	Institute of Sustainable Development (INE)
Published as part of the ZHAW project:	SCCER CREST
Appears in collections:	Publikationen School of Engineering

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Tomic, U., Schubert, I., & Burger, P. (2023). The utility of using a top-down conduct-of-life-based approach for explaining energy consumption behaviour : evidence from Switzerland. Energy Efficiency, 16(5), 49. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12053-023-10127-3

Tomic, U., Schubert, I. and Burger, P. (2023) ‘The utility of using a top-down conduct-of-life-based approach for explaining energy consumption behaviour : evidence from Switzerland’, Energy Efficiency, 16(5), p. 49. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12053-023-10127-3.

U. Tomic, I. Schubert, and P. Burger, “The utility of using a top-down conduct-of-life-based approach for explaining energy consumption behaviour : evidence from Switzerland,” Energy Efficiency, vol. 16, no. 5, p. 49, Jun. 2023, doi: 10.1007/s12053-023-10127-3.

TOMIC, Uros, Iljana SCHUBERT und Paul BURGER, 2023. The utility of using a top-down conduct-of-life-based approach for explaining energy consumption behaviour : evidence from Switzerland. Energy Efficiency. 14 Juni 2023. Bd. 16, Nr. 5, S. 49. DOI 10.1007/s12053-023-10127-3

Tomic, Uros, Iljana Schubert, and Paul Burger. 2023. “The Utility of Using a Top-down Conduct-of-Life-Based Approach for Explaining Energy Consumption Behaviour : Evidence from Switzerland.” Energy Efficiency 16 (5): 49. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12053-023-10127-3.

Tomic, Uros, et al. “The Utility of Using a Top-down Conduct-of-Life-Based Approach for Explaining Energy Consumption Behaviour : Evidence from Switzerland.” Energy Efficiency, vol. 16, no. 5, June 2023, p. 49, https://doi.org/10.1007/s12053-023-10127-3.