Article
Environmental Studies
Karen Moesker, Udo Pesch
Summary: The European Union introduced the Just Transition Fund in 2021 to address justice issues arising from the energy transition, but research shows that the fund perpetuates past justice issues such as inadequate funding and lack of stakeholder participation.
ENERGY RESEARCH & SOCIAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Economics
Lanka Horstink, Julia M. Wittmayer, Kiat Ng
Summary: To achieve the EU's goal of providing 'Clean Energy for All Europeans', a shift from centralized, fossil-fuel based systems to decentralized systems based on renewable energy sources is envisioned, with a focus on citizen participation. This paper categorizes collective social actors that produce and consume energy from renewable sources, aiming to clarify their role in the energy landscape and recommend policy adjustments to support the implementation of clean energy policies.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jose Antonio Camacho Ballesta, Lucas da Silva Almeida, Mercedes Rodriguez
Summary: This study analyzes the impact of economic and social factors on renewable energy consumption in the EU. The results indicate that economic factors have a negative effect on renewable energy consumption, while social factors like education have a positive effect. Therefore, a comprehensive approach considering both economic and social aspects is needed to promote renewable energy consumption.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Constantin Anghelache, Madalina Gabriela Anghel, Stefan Virgil Iacob, Ion Partachi, Irina Gabriela Radulescu, Alina Gabriela Brezoi
Summary: This article presents research on the renewable and non-renewable energy reserves in the European Union and their consumption. It highlights the alarming rate at which oil, natural gas, and coal are being depleted, and predicts a massive depletion in energy resources in the next 41 years if exploitation continues at the current pace. The article also focuses on the slight decrease in greenhouse gas emissions from energy consumption in the European Union. The analysis of resources and consumption provides a correct interpretation of how these resources are used.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Agnieszka Janik, Adam Ryszko, Marek Szafraniec
Summary: This study conducted a comprehensive analysis on the factors determining EU citizens' attitudes towards the European Energy Union priorities, revealing significant variations in support for specific energy policy priorities based on different perceptions and demographic variables. The awareness of the importance of environment, climate, and energy at the EU level was found to strongly influence attitudes towards energy policy priorities. Additionally, factors such as political orientation, gender, occupation, and place of residence were identified as important determinants of attitudes towards the European Energy Union priorities, with age and educational level playing predictive roles in limited cases.
Article
Thermodynamics
Gonzalo Escribano, Carmen Gonzalez-Enriquez, Lara Lazaro-Touza, Juandiego Paredes-Gazquez
Summary: Despite the limited research on public acceptance of cross-border energy interconnections at a European-wide level, this article conducted a poll with 4000 respondents from France, Germany, Italy, and Spain to fill this research gap. The study found that a large proportion of respondents have not heard about energy interconnections or the internal energy market. Additionally, the article explores the importance of procedural justice in ensuring a fair policy-making process and provides policy implications to foster cross-border interconnections and energy integration within the European Energy Union (EnU).
Article
Rehabilitation
Mitzi Waltz, Alice Schippers
Summary: The research provides several recommendations on how to support and eliminate barriers for disabled people in political participation, including removing access barriers, ensuring equalities legislation covers politicians, promoting direct support for disabled political activists, etc.
DISABILITY & SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Nikos Chatzistamoulou
Summary: The 2030 Digital Compass, aligned with the European Green Deal, promotes transparency and sustainable production through the digital transformation of European SMEs. The study investigates the impact of digital transformation and participation in public procurement on the adoption of business actions fostering sustainability transition. The findings show that digital transformation supports sustainability transition, and participating in public tenders has a positive effect on the adoption of sustainability strategies independently.
ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS
(2023)
Article
Development Studies
Muhlis Can, Zahoor Ahmed
Summary: Energy insecurity and unsustainable development are major challenges for nations. The author examines the impact of economic complexity on energy consumption and finds that higher economic complexity leads to increased renewable energy usage and decreased non-renewable energy usage.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Sanja Potrc, Lidija Cucek, Mariano Martin, Zdravko Kravanja
Summary: The paper presents a plan for achieving the carbon neutral target in the EU-27 by 2050, utilizing a multi-period mixed-integer programming model to maximize sustainability net present value. Wind farms and solar photovoltaics are highlighted as the most promising solutions for expanding renewable energy generation, with the potential to create over 1.5 million new job opportunities across the EU.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Pediatrics
Serafin Delgado-Gil, David Manuel Mendoza-Munoz, Carmen Galan-Arroyo, Angel Denche-Zamorano, Jose Carmelo Adsuar, Carlos Mananas-Iglesias, Antonio Castillo-Paredes, Jorge Rojo-Ramos
Summary: Inclusive education for disabled people is increasingly important globally. Improving the factors that support their inclusion in education is a main objective. The attitudes of non-disabled students towards disabled students in Physical Education (PE) were analyzed, with the majority of students having positive attitudes.
Article
Thermodynamics
Alena Lohrmann, Michael Child, Christian Breyer
Summary: The transition to 100% renewable energy could help address the water-energy nexus, but certain technologies may strain water ecosystems. By 2050, the water footprint of fossil-fueled power plants in 20 European regions is projected to significantly decrease, though total water demand may rise in some areas under the Area scenario. Countries like Turkey, Norway, and Sweden could face the largest water demands in Europe due to new hydropower plant developments.
Review
Environmental Studies
Radoslaw Slosarski
Summary: In this paper, the relationship between greenhouse gases emission and the effectiveness of European Union energy policies, as well as the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, are analyzed. The results show that the EU energy policies have a significant impact on reducing greenhouse gases emission, but are not sufficient for a complete transition towards renewables.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Lorenzo Mario Pastore, Gianluigi Lo Basso, Livio de Santoli
Summary: This paper investigates measures for rapid reduction in Italian natural gas consumption, including PV systems, wind plants, biomethane, green hydrogen, and heat pumps. The analysis shows that an investment of less than 80 billion euros can significantly reduce natural gas consumption, create economic and employment benefits, and reduce CO2 emissions.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Maria Kola-Bezka
Summary: Based on an exploratory survey conducted in Lithuania, Germany, and Poland, this paper argues that the European Union has the potential to develop a common strategy to support households in improving energy efficiency, increasing the use of renewable energy sources, and making them more resilient to rising energy prices during the current energy crisis. The study also suggests that Local Action Groups could be utilized as a tool for implementing this strategy and increasing household involvement in decarbonizing local socio-economic systems.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Amy Ross, J. Van Alstine, M. Cotton, L. Middlemiss
Summary: Understanding mechanisms of policy engagement and the participation of different actors in urban climate governance is crucial for ensuring that inequalities are not exacerbated by climate action. Citizens' juries can serve as a valuable deliberative democracy tool in this context, helping to achieve representation justice in decision-making spaces through careful consideration of power differentials and the facilitation of participatory parity.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Harriet Thew, Lucie Middlemiss, Jouni Paavola
Summary: This study examines youth participation in the UNFCCC by applying the 7P model and conducting ethnographic research. The findings shed light on how young participants negotiate sustainability in this context, including their motivations, positioning, power relations, and challenges related to protection.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Lucie Middlemiss
Summary: Energy poverty is a rising government agenda in the Global North, and is subject to substantial academic literature. This article summarizes the empirical literature on energy poverty in the Global North, highlighting the vulnerable groups and their experiences. It emphasizes the link between energy poverty and poverty, as well as the negative impacts on health, social life, and home finances. The article also suggests important research avenues for the future, including integrating energy poverty evidence into discussions on just transitions.
WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Merel Stevens, Hein Raat, Maite Ferrando, Beatriz Vallina, Rebeca Lucas, Lucie Middlemiss, Josep Redon, Elena Rocher, Amy van Grieken
Summary: The WELLBASED intervention programme aims to reduce energy poverty and improve health and wellbeing of citizens across Europe through a comprehensive urban programme. A controlled trial with 875 participants is conducted, collecting data at various time points and conducting qualitative interviews to evaluate the impacts of the programme. The results of this study can provide valuable insights for addressing energy poverty.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Michael J. Fell, Katy Roelich, Lucie Middlemiss
Summary: This study advocates for the use of realist approaches in energy research to address the climate emergency. These approaches not only focus on what works, but also on for whom, in what circumstances, and why, which can support justice, interdisciplinary collaboration, and urgency in energy research.
Editorial Material
Energy & Fuels
Lucie Middlemiss
Summary: A new study reveals that rooftop solar panels are not limited to wealthier households as commonly believed, but can also be adopted by low-income households. The study shows that these households establish new prosumption practices and commit to using rooftop solar panels after experiencing the benefits.
Article
Environmental Studies
Elizabeth Bolton, Ruth Bookbinder, Lucie Middlemiss, Stephen Hall, Mark Davis, Anne Owen
Summary: Retrofitting the UK's housing stock is crucial for fulfilling the climate commitments, but there have been weaknesses in policy drafting and implementation that hinder progress. Our research examines the broader dynamics underlying decision-making in households and identifies the influence of social relations on home renovations. We conducted semi-structured interviews with homeowners in Otley, West Yorkshire, and found that dynamic relationships with family, friends, tradespeople, gender, and money shape the motivations and goals of home renovations. Our findings shed light on interventions that target homeowners who can afford retrofitting and emphasize the importance of trust-building with tradespeople, understanding different social groups' relationships with homes, and recognizing the evolving role of the home over time.
ENERGY RESEARCH & SOCIAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lin Zhang, Lucie Middlemiss, Ian Philips
Summary: Based on the 2018 survey data from China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), this study compares sociodemographic characteristics between energy poor (EP) households and non-EP households in five provinces in China. The findings reveal that EP households are more likely to have low housing quality, low education, old people, poor mental/physical health, be mainly female, be rural-Hukou, be without pension, and lack clean cooking fuels. Logistic regression results further support the association between vulnerability related socio-demographic predictors and the likelihood of experiencing energy poverty. These results emphasize the importance of considering vulnerable groups in targeted policies for energy poverty alleviation.
Article
Economics
Lucie Middlemiss, Merel Stevens, Pepa Ambrosio-Albala, Victoria Pellicer-Sifres, Amy van Grieken
Summary: This article reviews the existing evidence on interventions for energy poverty and health, with a focus on how interventions produce health outcomes. The literature mostly examines the impacts of substantial energy renovations on health. Using a combination of realist review and process evaluation, the analysis identifies the logic of intervention design and the gaps between design and participant response. Policy recommendations include considering people's response to technical change, providing support for households to adapt to new technology, involving inclusive design processes, and maintaining flexibility in delivery.
Article
Environmental Studies
Sirid Bonderup, Lucie Middlemiss
Summary: This paper compares Danish and English understandings of mould and underheating in housing, revealing divergent management approaches and public health consequences. It highlights the importance of a critical approach to housing and energy policy, suggesting the need to address both mould and cold together.
ENERGY RESEARCH & SOCIAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Environmental Studies
Anne Owen, Lucie Middlemiss, Donal Brown, Mark Davis, Stephen Hall, Ruth Bookbinder, Marie Claire Brisbois, Iain Cairns, Matthew Hannon, Giulia Mininni
Summary: Most domestic energy retrofit policies in the UK are aimed at economically rational consumers, but it is not always the most financially benefiting households who apply for these incentives. A study finds that Asian origin, low-income owner-occupier households living in energy inefficient terraces are more likely to apply for energy incentives at an unexpectedly high rate. This suggests that the spread of policy uptake is influenced by social relations networks within communities, rather than solely based on perceived cost-benefit.
ENERGY RESEARCH & SOCIAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Social Issues
Lucie Middlemiss, Carolyn Snell, Emily Morrison, Yekaterina Chzhen, Anne Owen, Kelli Kennedy, Samanthi Theminimulle, Tania Carregha
Summary: This article explores the potential wide-ranging impacts of the UK's policy response to the climate crisis, called 'Net Zero', on people's daily lives. Recognizing the current financial crisis faced by some individuals due to austerity measures and a high cost of living, efforts must be made to ensure a socially inclusive transition to Net Zero. By modifying the Bristol Social Exclusion Matrix and drawing on existing literature, the study identifies the risks of social exclusion during the transition and examines who is likely to be affected. The article concludes by presenting a framework for an inclusive transition and discussing the policy and research implications.
SOCIAL POLICY AND SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Marielle Feenstra, Lucie Middlemiss, Marlies Hesselman, Koen Straver, Sergio Tirado Herrero
Summary: The article discusses the development of energy poverty as a national agenda in the Netherlands, noting how local government actions on this issue and EU climate reporting requirements have aligned to bring energy poverty to the forefront. Additionally, the limited recognition of vulnerable energy consumers in national policy is highlighted, with a clear call for more comprehensive policies to address this issue.
FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE CITIES
(2021)
Article
Environmental Studies
Harriet Thew, Lucie Middlemiss, Jouni Paavola
Summary: This study examines the experiences of youth NGOs participating in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and their impact on the democratic legitimacy of the global climate change regime. The findings suggest that while UNFCCC offers an entry-point for young people into climate governance, it may not necessarily lead to their engagement in orchestrated initiatives, unless there are exceptions such as Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE).
ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS
(2021)