The way we choose to live has a big impact on the way we use energy. Ultimately aiming to contribute to a reduction in the amount of energy we all consume, the RESOLVE initiative is improving understanding of the often complex relationship between lifestyles, values and energy behaviour.
Virtually wherever we are and whatever we do, we fundamentally depend on a reliable supply of energy. But a vital role in determining how much we actually use – as individuals, households and communities – is played by our lifestyles and values and by our associated attitudes to energy use and its environmental impact. These, in turn, are shaped to a significant extent by a whole range of economic, psychological, sociological, cultural and other factors. Developing a clear understanding of how these all come together and interconnect is a vital step towards persuading and motivating consumers to use less energy and make the long-term lifestyle changes needed if a sustainable energy economy is to become a reality.
Funded by the Research Councils UK Energy Programme, the Research Group on Lifestyles, Values and Environment (RESOLVE) at the University of Surrey is at the forefront of work in this sphere. The group’s central objective is to generate robust, evidence-based advice for policymakers, both in the UK and elsewhere, that helps them understand consumers’ behaviour and practices where energy is concerned and explore policy options that encourage behavioural change.
To achieve this, RESOLVE is drawing on cross-disciplinary expertise throughout the university, utilising the skills of the Centre for Environmental Strategy, the Environmental Psychology Research Group, the Surrey Energy Economics Centre and the Department of Sociology. One important focus of the work programme is the emphasis on ‘energy lifestyle mapping’, which involves, for example, recording and evaluating energy demand trends as exhibited by consumers from a wide range of lifestyle categories.
“One of the most important drivers behind our work is the need to understand the psychological factors that motivate energy behaviour and resistance to change in particular, and to develop approaches that are effective in tackling this, ”says Professor Tim Jackson, director of RESOLVE. “In the final analysis, it really comes down to pinpointing what lies behind people’s energy behaviour and establishing effective ways of positively transforming it so that sustainability can be secured.”
RESOLVE, which began operations in 2006, is due to complete its work in 2011.