This report summarises the findings of a review of the Scottish Government's Energy Assistance Package conducted by researchers from the Sustainable Urban Environments Research Group, Glasgow Caledonian University, in September and October 2012. It is based on the results of 18 semi-structured...Read more
In order to reduce carbon emissions and alleviate fuel poverty, the UK Government has outlined proposals for a “Green Deal” to help provide financing for the installation of cost-effective retrofit measures to the existing UK housing stock. However, the Green Deal proposals have the potential to...Read more
The number of households living in fuel poverty across the UK is on the increase. This paper explores the experiences of those living in fuel poverty, and seeks to understand the reasons for lack of warmth in homes. Using a case study approach, 101 face-to-face interviews with residents of a...Read more
It is critical for government and regulatory policies and suppliers’ practices to be underpinned by a good understanding of the range of circumstances and needs of disabled people in relation to energy. There is substantial evidence which demonstrates the strong relationship between disability...Read more
The European Union (EU) and member states alike are following a tradition of addressing fuel poverty and vulnerability at the point of purchase by final consumers by seeking to influence the impact of income, energy price and the built environment on the ability of household consumers to access...Read more
The significance of retrofitting the existing housing stock is considered for the policy commitment of delivering an 80% CO 2 emission reduction by 2050. Background issues of energy, legislation, potential and actual CO 2 savings, socio-economics (payback, fuel poverty, health impacts,...Read more
Low-income consumers appear to have considerable apathy to switching energy tariffs, despite potential savings and health benefits, in part due to their complex lives in which switching is not a priority. An independent, one-on-one, personalized ‘intervention’ encouraged switching, particularly...Read more
The UK Government has policy goals for increasing energy efficiency in existing homes. However, there are doubts that standard technology and behavioural innovations will be adopted widely enough in time to achieve the targets. Diffusion of innovation theory states that the communication of...Read more
Energy efficiency obligations (or white certificates) are increasingly used to reduce carbon emissions. While the energy efficiency obligations were originally intended as carbon reduction and not fuel poverty policies, due to recognition of the potential for regressive outcomes they often...Read more
