48 G. GoGGINS ET AL.
Keywords Energy policy · Sustainable consumption · Residential
carbon emissions · Ireland · Transition
introDuCtion
Ireland’s energy system is heavily reliant on fossil fuels and largely
dependent on imports, primarily of oil and gas. The contribution of
renewables in the energy mix is significantly behind Ireland’s agreed
target under EU Directives. Additionally, Ireland has been identified
as a European ‘laggard’ in reducing non-Emission Trading Scheme
sector emissions (i.e. emissions associated with energy use in buildings and in transport, and emissions from agriculture). on a macro
level, Ireland will need to introduce substantial changes in order
to reach emissions targets for 2030 and beyond. This responsibility must be shared across different sectors in society, including the
residential sector, which currently accounts for a quarter of all emissions. Indeed, Irish homes on average use more energy and emit substantially more Co 2 than their European counterparts (SEAI 2018).
There are significant opportunities for reducing household energy use
through technological advances, social innovation and changing user
practices.
soCio-materiaL DynamiCs of househoLD
energy use in ireLanD
The residential sector is responsible for 25% of energy use in Ireland,
second only to transport, at 42% (SEAI 2018). In 2015, the average
household in Ireland used 7% more energy than the EU average and
emitted almost 60% more Co 2 than the average EU home (SEAI 2018).
Continuing dependency on high-carbon fuels (e.g. oil, coal, peat), falling oil prices and higher incomes are some of the factors that contribute to recent increases in Co 2 emissions across the residential sector. In
addition, Ireland has experienced a growth in population of 25% over
the period 2000–2016, with upward trends forecast to continue. To
accommodate an expanding population, the number of dwellings has
also increased to currently stand at 1.7 million households, although
this figure remains significantly short of projected housing need, with
Keywords Energy policy · Sustainable consumption · Residential
carbon emissions · Ireland · Transition
introDuCtion
Ireland’s energy system is heavily reliant on fossil fuels and largely
dependent on imports, primarily of oil and gas. The contribution of
renewables in the energy mix is significantly behind Ireland’s agreed
target under EU Directives. Additionally, Ireland has been identified
as a European ‘laggard’ in reducing non-Emission Trading Scheme
sector emissions (i.e. emissions associated with energy use in buildings and in transport, and emissions from agriculture). on a macro
level, Ireland will need to introduce substantial changes in order
to reach emissions targets for 2030 and beyond. This responsibility must be shared across different sectors in society, including the
residential sector, which currently accounts for a quarter of all emissions. Indeed, Irish homes on average use more energy and emit substantially more Co 2 than their European counterparts (SEAI 2018).
There are significant opportunities for reducing household energy use
through technological advances, social innovation and changing user
practices.
soCio-materiaL DynamiCs of househoLD
energy use in ireLanD
The residential sector is responsible for 25% of energy use in Ireland,
second only to transport, at 42% (SEAI 2018). In 2015, the average
household in Ireland used 7% more energy than the EU average and
emitted almost 60% more Co 2 than the average EU home (SEAI 2018).
Continuing dependency on high-carbon fuels (e.g. oil, coal, peat), falling oil prices and higher incomes are some of the factors that contribute to recent increases in Co 2 emissions across the residential sector. In
addition, Ireland has experienced a growth in population of 25% over
the period 2000–2016, with upward trends forecast to continue. To
accommodate an expanding population, the number of dwellings has
also increased to currently stand at 1.7 million households, although
this figure remains significantly short of projected housing need, with