2 FRAMING THE SUSTAINABLE ENERGY CHALLENGE …
13
aLternative energy probLem framings
As several researchers (e.g. Spurling et al. 2013; Southerton and Welch
2018; Genus et al. 2018) suggest, it may instead be beneficial to establish new problem framings that lead to altogether fundamentally different modes of governance and policies that disrupt unsustainable
practices, or reconfigure links between practices. In this way, it is not
energy consumption in itself that is targeted (and made efficient) but
rather, it is what energy is for that is scrutinised and challenged (Shove
and Walker 2014). Related energy problem framings pose altogether
different questions about what needs to be changed, why and how. The
resulting solution space(s) would be broader (and more complex) than
for dominant energy problem framings, and would presuppose a reflexive
mode of governance. According to the ENERGISE typology of energy
problem framings, two types of alternative energy problem framings follow along these lines of rationale, however they are only rarely utilised in
existing SECIs. one of these problem framings understands everyday
life situations as being the central point of departure for change potentials, and another understands complex interactions between multiple
actors, systems and practices as being the point of departure for potential
change.
In contrast to the common energy problem framings discussed earlier, SECIs that seek to address heating related energy use, and which
are underpinned by an everyday life situations problem framing, would
approach energy use altogether differently. In these cases, the situations
of everyday life that have an implication for the way, as well as the frequency and extent to which, people heat their homes would thus be
the ‘unit’ of interventions. Here, SECIs might target routines and ideas
related to how, why and when people heat their homes in different types
of situations. This could be in terms of challenging ideas about norms
and comfort that can vary across situations, for example when receiving guests. Solutions within this problem framing might include heating people instead of spaces, providing low-energy alternatives to space
heating such as wearing more clothes, using blankets or rearranging furniture. In that way, SECIs underpinned by this problem framing may
address understandings of comfort and material aspects of heating, and
may employ a notion of sufficiency rather than efficiency (see Sahakian
et al. 2019).
13
aLternative energy probLem framings
As several researchers (e.g. Spurling et al. 2013; Southerton and Welch
2018; Genus et al. 2018) suggest, it may instead be beneficial to establish new problem framings that lead to altogether fundamentally different modes of governance and policies that disrupt unsustainable
practices, or reconfigure links between practices. In this way, it is not
energy consumption in itself that is targeted (and made efficient) but
rather, it is what energy is for that is scrutinised and challenged (Shove
and Walker 2014). Related energy problem framings pose altogether
different questions about what needs to be changed, why and how. The
resulting solution space(s) would be broader (and more complex) than
for dominant energy problem framings, and would presuppose a reflexive
mode of governance. According to the ENERGISE typology of energy
problem framings, two types of alternative energy problem framings follow along these lines of rationale, however they are only rarely utilised in
existing SECIs. one of these problem framings understands everyday
life situations as being the central point of departure for change potentials, and another understands complex interactions between multiple
actors, systems and practices as being the point of departure for potential
change.
In contrast to the common energy problem framings discussed earlier, SECIs that seek to address heating related energy use, and which
are underpinned by an everyday life situations problem framing, would
approach energy use altogether differently. In these cases, the situations
of everyday life that have an implication for the way, as well as the frequency and extent to which, people heat their homes would thus be
the ‘unit’ of interventions. Here, SECIs might target routines and ideas
related to how, why and when people heat their homes in different types
of situations. This could be in terms of challenging ideas about norms
and comfort that can vary across situations, for example when receiving guests. Solutions within this problem framing might include heating people instead of spaces, providing low-energy alternatives to space
heating such as wearing more clothes, using blankets or rearranging furniture. In that way, SECIs underpinned by this problem framing may
address understandings of comfort and material aspects of heating, and
may employ a notion of sufficiency rather than efficiency (see Sahakian
et al. 2019).