There are a plethora of drivers of change in energy systems until 2015. The role of social and political actors is likely to be more noticeable. In Europe, locally, high-impact ideas like green consumerism and limited acceptance of energy systems that result in trade-offs will be important. Nationally, the empowerment of individuals and communities and the politicization of energy-related issues will be drivers of change. Internationally, energy issues will become more important in the foreign and security policies of state and non-state actors.
Dutch-German Collaboration on Hydrogen for Energy Transition Policymakers and Authorities from the Netherlands and Germany met at Euregio Rhine-Waal in Kleve, Germany earlier this month, to advance the role of hydrogen in building a sustainable future. Prof. Sadegh Seddighi from HAN University of Applied Sciences highlighted that hydrogen production is now mature and ready for full commercialization. The discussions focused on unlocking new markets and improving the economic viability of hydrogen applications across industries. ???? Key takeaway: Regional collaboration is essential to fully harness hydrogen's potential for a greener, more connected future. ➡️ Next steps: Strengthen partnerships through pilot projects and joint research, while exploring practical applications to accelerate hydrogen's adoption and market growth.
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Reducing energy consumption in urban households is essential for reaching the necessary climate research and policy targets for CO2 reduction and sustainability. The dominant approach has been to invest in technological innovations that increase household energy efficiency. This article moves beyond this approach, first by emphasising the need to prioritise reducing energy demand over increasing energy efficiency and, second, by addressing the challenge of energy consumption at the level of the community, not the individual household. It argues that energy consumption is shaped in and by social communities, which construct consciousness of the energy implications of lifestyle choices. By analysing a specific type of community, a digital community, it looks at the role that communication on online discussion boards plays in the social process of questioning energy needs and shaping a “decent lifestyle”. The article explores three social processes of community interaction around energy practices – coercive, mimetic, and normative – questioning the ways in which they contribute to the activation of energy discursive consciousness. In conclusion, the article reflects on the potential implications of these social processes for future research and interventions aimed at reducing energy demand. To illustrate how the three selected social processes influence one another, the article builds on the results of a research project conducted in Amsterdam, analysing the potential contribution of online discussion boards in shaping energy norms in the Sustainable Community of Amsterdam Facebook group.
