Elena López-Bernabé

Bio: Elena López-Bernabé is an academic researcher from University of the Basque Country. The author has contributed to research in topics: Consumer behaviour & Efficient energy use. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 3 publications receiving 17 citations.

Consumers’ preferences regarding energy efficiency: a qualitative analysis based on the household and services sectors in Spain

Abstract: Informational failures frequently lead consumers to make non-optimal energy-efficient purchasing decisions. Energy efficiency labels seek to influence consumer behaviour at the point of sale by reducing informational failures regarding energy efficiency. However, several informational and behavioural factors contribute to the energy efficiency gap and could render label-oriented policies useless. The purchasing decision model of Allcott and Greenstone (The Journal of Economic Perspectives, 26, 3–28, 2012) is used here to explore the different factors that influence purchasing decisions and understand (i) the importance of energy consumption compared to other attributes; (ii) how consumers weight energy savings and (iii) what other benefits and costs influence the purchase of energy-efficient goods. The analysis reported here is based on qualitative research methods and is conducted in the household and service sectors (the accommodation sector and private service companies), for appliances, heating and cooling systems and cars in Spain. Results show that (i) there is still an informational gap regarding energy labels and (ii) bounded rationality and end-user behaviour are important limiting factors for the purchase of energy-efficient goods in Spain.

Factors affecting energy-efficiency investment in the hotel industry: survey results from Spain

Abstract: Increasing energy efficiency is a major way of saving energy and thus reducing energy expenses. However, adoption of energy efficiency is generally low, as demonstrated by the energy efficiency gap. To understand that gap, this paper analyses the factors that affect how the energy efficiency attribute is rated in investment in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in the hotel industry in Spain. A survey conducted on two hundred owners of hotels, hostels and holiday cottages (referred to jointly here for the sake of convenience as “the hotel industry”) shows that the value placed on energy efficiency is influenced not just by climate conditions, environmental concern and type of hotel but also by other attributes of the HVAC system such as brand reliability, price and performance. The hotel industry may also be identifying EE as a proxy for quality rather than savings. Designing the right energy-efficiency policy entails accounting for potential responses by agents, and this analysis helps identify those drivers to which they may or may not respond.

Mind the map? Mapping the academic, citizen and professional stakeholder views on buildings and heating behaviour in Spain

Abstract: The residential building sector is a major driver of current and future energy consumption and associated CO2 emissions The main use of energy by households is for heating Consumers’ heating behaviour results from the interactions of internal and external drivers, which makes it a complex system We used Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping method to represent key drivers and interactions in that system Maps were drawn up at three focus groups representing different social groups from Spain – academics, citizens and energy experts – in order to capture heterogeneity of behaviours Maps seek to identify and set out the factors that influence heating costs as well as private and public adaptation measures to minimise them The core common concepts of the maps deal with consumer behaviour regarding investment in energy efficiency technologies such insulation or thermostat, attitudes regarding the environment or the thermal comfort temperature, economic factors such as price and income and regulatory interventions The most significant differences between the groups were that the academics and energy experts considered that taxes could improve energy savings The results shown in this paper may be helpful in designing effective policies on heating consumption

Risk-Aversion and Willingness to Pay For Energy Saving Measures in Residential Buildings

Abstract: This paper uses a choice experiment to evaluate the consumers' willingness to pay for energy-saving measures in Switzerland's residential buildings. These measures include air renewal (ventilation) systems and insulation of windows and facades. Two groups of respondents consisting respectively of 163 apartment tenants and 142 house owners were asked to choose between their housing status quo and each one of the several hypothetical situations with different attributes and prices. The estimation method is based on a fixed-effects logit model. The results suggest that the benefits of the energy-saving attributes are significantly valued by the consumers. These benefits include both individual energy savings and environmental benefits as well as comfort benefits namely, thermal comfort, air quality and noise protection.

Overcoming public resistance to carbon taxes

Abstract: Carbon taxes represent a cost-effective way to steer the economy towards a greener future. In the real world, their application has however been limited. In this paper, we address one of the main obstacles to carbon taxes: public opposition. We identify drivers of and barriers to public support, and, under the form of stylized facts, provide general lessons on the acceptability of carbon taxes. We derive our lessons from a growing literature, as well as from a combination of policy “failures” and “successes”. Based on our stylized facts, we formulate a set of suggestions concerning the design of carbon taxes. We consider the use of trial periods, tax escalators, environmental earmarking, lump-sum transfers, tax rebates, and advanced communication strategies, among others. This paper aims to contribute to the policy debate, ideally leading to more success stories, and less policy failures.

What prevents us from taking low-carbon actions? A comprehensive review of influencing factors affecting low-carbon behaviors

Abstract: Nearly two-thirds of global greenhouse gas emissions are directly or indirectly linked to human daily activities. Change in people's behavior is key to mitigating climate change. This paper reviews the key factors that affect personal behavior in consumption of food, clothing, housing, transportation, and other various products or services in order to understand the climate change impacts of behavior change. Drawing from existing theoretical foundations, these influencing factors are reviewed through four categories, including demographic factors, internal influences, and external influences, and the mechanisms through which different factors influence personal behavior change. The paper also discusses the policy implications of the review’s results.

Labels as nudges? An experimental study of car eco-labels

Abstract: This article presents the results of a laboratory experiment and an online multi-country experiment testing the effect of motor vehicle eco-labels on consumers. The laboratory study featured a discrete choice task and questions on comprehension, while the ten countries online experiment included measures of willingness to pay and comprehension. Labels focusing on fuel economy or running costs are better understood, and influence choice about money-related eco-friendly behaviour. We suggest that this effect comes through mental accounting of fuel economy. In the absence of a cost saving frame, we do not find a similar effect of information on CO2 emissions and eco-friendliness. Labels do not perform as well as promotional materials. Being embedded into a setting, which is designed to capture the attention, the latter are more effective. We found also that large and expensive cars tend to be undervalued once fuel economy is highlighted.

Co-creation as a social process for unlocking sustainable heating transitions in Europe

Abstract: Providing heat is a key aspect of social life and a necessity for comfort and health in cold climates. Even though heat accounts for a large proportion of worldwide carbon emissions and is the largest energy end-use, it has remained largely untouched by efforts to decarbonize. Efforts to do so meet significant economic, social-psychological, technical and political challenges. Much is at stake. But what can make a difference? One increasingly discussed potential solution is co-creation. It provides spaces for citizens to share what heating means to them and for stakeholders to build these insights into their programmes for change. However, while local authorities, grassroots, and community organisations are already implementing co-creation with homeowners and groups of citizens, there is a dearth of academic research focusing on the value of co-creating sustainable heating transitions. This indicates a lack of evidence on how these new forms of collaboration perform under which conditions and how they are embedded in the policy cycle. Drawing on European sustainable heating case studies where co-creation has been applied, we outline future areas where critical, engaged research could help us to understand how to unlock sustainable heating transitions.