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The rebirth of economic sociology in the last decades of the 20th century was largely about intellectual identity formation and developing theoretical foundations. The authors argue that economic sociology is poised to make a contribution to the understanding and solution of social problems. They use the example of energy inefficiency in the commercial buildings industry to suggest that economic sociology offers useful alternatives to current economic-based policy analyses. Keywords: energy behavior, decision-making, environment, innovation

This study aims to comprehend Portland State University (PSU)'s green campus strategies, and students' level of knowledge and living practices relating to green campus. PSU's sustainable campus plan has been nationally and internationally recognized. A literature review, field investigation, and interviews were conducted to ascertain the PSU green campus strategies. This study also used a survey to understand students' level of knowledge and practices. The survey results were analyzed by SPSS. Green campus projects at PSU were operated by official organizations and funded according to PSU's long term plans in 12 multilateral categories: administration, energy, water, climate action, green buildings, green purchasing, waste reduction and recycling, food and dining services, transportation, land use, action, and education and student activity. The survey results show that the level of students' understanding about PSU's green campus strategies was somewhat low, but the amount of practice of a sustainable lifestyle was higher. Students who had taken courses related with sustainability or were engaged in sustainable activities had more knowledge about green campus strategies than students who had not. Therefore, it would be important to focus more on educating students and developing related programs in order to have more positive effects of green campus projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building energy modelling is often used in US home energy audits to assess a home's energy performance and to determine energy-efficiency retrofit recommendations. These models promise quantitative, engineering-based, defensible information on a home's energy retrofit opportunities. Modelling is based on assumed standard use behaviours, despite highly variable energy use practices. This research reports on tests that incorporate household behaviour in home energy audit modelling, based on a sample of single-family households that received a utility-sponsored home energy audit in Seattle, Washington, a US city with a cool temperate climate. The use of a compact set of self-reported behaviours in place of standardized behavioural assumptions improved the match between actual home energy consumption and model estimates, and shifted retrofit savings predictions. These were modest improvements over the initially poor match, but highlight the opportunity for better customizing home energy audit modelling by using simple information on household behaviours. A comparison of modelled savings of heating-related conservation actions shows that energy savings from moderate behavioural changes are on par with retrofits for many homes. These steps provide a gateway to modelling household behavioural changes alongside retrofits, and a means to bring behaviour into conversations with homeowners and into the technically oriented efficiency paradigm in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses various reports published within the issue including one by Howell John Harris on the relation between consumption and production and another by Gail Cooper on the boundary between home and garden.

Nearly a decade after the Rio summit and 3 years after the signing the Kyoto Protocol, the United States is without a climate policy. Contentious debate focuses on the costs and fairness of various policy options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The previous Federal Administration had proposed three primary market-based technology-centered climate policy approaches. Two of these (global emissions trading and electric utility deregulation) are untested in this context and are effectively stalled. The third (energy efficiency research and development) proposed to expand efforts that have met with mixed success in the past. After reviewing the current state of U.S. climate policy deliberations, this article considers these three approaches in detail. While none is realistic in its present form, each can serve as a basis for future climate policy development in a more congenial political climate, and with a broader range of policy options and interested actors involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arguing against the economic mode! of consumer sovereignty that is assumed in policy discourse concerning the environmental effects of consumer demand, this analysis explores the social origins of one consumption-based environmental problem (greenhouse gas emissions), and considers the social impact of carbon tax proposals aimed at slowing global warming. It uses data on household-level energy consumption in California to show patterned variation in energy use and carbon emissions among households. This variation is accounted for by social class and life cycle differences in housing, appliances, travel, and lifestyle-the cultural expressions of a materialized social structure. A comparison of the economic impact of alternative carbon tax proposals shows that tax rates designed to significantly reduce global emissions would also differentially increase energy costs, with regressive effects upon low- and moderate-income households. Despite the possibility of compensating energy subsidies, caveats are offered based on the history of federally funded low-income energy assistance programs in the United States. Carbon taxes are not simple substitutes for social class and life cycle-appropriate policies designed to: (1) equitably increase the efficiency of housing and household technology, (2) reshape residential settlement patterns, and (3) fundamentally improve the transportation system in the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Pakistan, the majority of people have access to energy supplies. However, people who are underprivileged, below the extreme poverty line, or part of the middle class often spend disproportionate portions of their income on energy supplies and services, to some extent because of higher upfront prices for energy supplies, expensive products, and expensive imported appliances. The nonavailability of low-cost energy supplies is mainly affecting underdeveloped regions that have mostly low-income households. We used the dynamic ordinary least squares method to look at the impact of the energy crisis on income inequality from 1997 to 2021. The results show that the energy crisis exacerbates income inequality as low-income groups end up spending more significant shares of their income on energy products, supplies, and services than higher-income groups. Fair and equal access to energy supplies and services is less likely to reduce income inequality if prices are not cost-efficient. Cautious deliberation regarding the structure of energy tariffs is inevitable; at the same time, safety nets and social security programs for the poorest groups need to be expanded. At this stage, the aim is to target energy prices that will achieve the objectives of reducing polarity and increasing real income. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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To mitigate global climate change, drastic transformations of the energy system are needed. Whereas the public is asked to adapt its energy demand patterns, their perspective is often neglected. In this study, we incorporated a more human-centered dimension into energy research by examining how social characteristics determine the composition of individuals' preferred energy mix. Previous studies have been mainly limited to the exploration of preferences for one energy system in isolation. Hence, little is known about how various energy sources are combined into various energy mixes. Furthermore, empirical research regarding the heterogeneity of energy preferences often lacks an intersectional approach. Against this background, we used Belgian data from the European Social Survey (N = 1766) to examine the diversity of preferred energy mixes among individuals and how this relates to social characteristics. Specifically, a segmentation analysis was conducted to cluster Belgian respondents into intersectional, meaningful groups related to their preferred energy mixes. The results of the segmentation analysis underpin the existence of vulnerable and privileged groups in the establishment of a green transition. This study highlights the importance of focusing on energy mixes from an intersectional stance, as it provides an excellent tool to uncover the power dynamics underlying an energy transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding how employees act at work to save energy and the meaning for sustainability and environmental protection is essential. This research aimed to analyze the influences of Subjective Norms (SN), Descriptive Norms (DN), and Environmental Knowledge (EK) on employees' intention to save energy (ISE) in the Philippines (PH) and the Dominican Republic (DR). The effects of SN, DN, and EK on ISE were evaluated by comparing two developing countries and the mediation effect of EK on the relationship between DN, SN, and ISE. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), followed by structural equation modeling and path analysis based on samples collected from employees from DR (340) and PH (339), was performed. Also, construct convergent and discriminant validity were assessed using composite reliability, maximal reliability, average variance extracted, and maximum shared variance. The findings of this study indicate that SN influences ISE positively among employees in PH (β = 0.15, p < 0.05) but not among employees in DR. Descriptive Norms positively influence ISE among employees in PH (β = 0.47, p < 0.01) and DR (β = 0.27, p < 0.01), while EK has a positive and significant influence on the ISE among employees in PH (β = 0.22, p < 0.01) and not in DR. There is a partial mediation effect between SN and EK on ISE when EK is the mediator in PH, and no mediation effects for RD. The intention to save energy is significant in economic terms because reducing energy consumption can help decrease energy costs and improve business profitability and competitiveness; in social terms, it can reduce energy consumption worldwide and improve social health, reducing gas emissions and pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Retrofit is a rising area of concern for Science and Technology Studies (STS) scholars of infrastructure. This paper sits at the junction between applied and theoretical approaches by using STS to support interventions in urban infrastructure systems and expand STS critique of retrofit. It discusses findings from a multidisciplinary project piloting retrofit possibilities to positively impact the way water, energy, and food resources were consumed in a London housing estate. Through qualitative research, we found that residents were making social and material interventions in infrastructure systems to manage the way resources were consumed at home, driven by a commonly held motivation to avoid wastefulness. We then mapped the social and material factors that helped or hindered these individual ambitions and used them to inform our codesign process. We found it helpful to think of the residents as an infrastructural community; a group of residents that share a material connection that can help mobilize collective action on shared consumption. We suggest this concept is useful for interventions and critiques of infrastructure retrofit, particularly in cities in the Global North where retrofit programs aim to rescale national systems to neighborhood levels. The concept highlights the possibilities for participation that emerge from bottom-up retrofit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For many households, energy consumption represents a non-discretionary portion of their budget and directly relates to quality of life. As researchers continue to study the environmental impacts of energy behavior, it is important to explore how energy consumption relates to socio-economic wellbeing. This paper examines the economic impacts of being energy-burdened in the United States, defined as spending at least 10% of household income on heating and electricity services; energy burdens are partially, but not entirely, driven by income, since energy needs and costs can vary substantially due to housing characteristics, utility rates, and other factors. Using panel data of US household income and energy expenditures during 1999–2017, this analysis demonstrates that energy-burdened households were at about 150%–200% greater risk of transitioning into or extending the duration of economic poverty over a two-year timeframe relative to non-burdened households. This analysis indicates that dedicating inordinate amounts of income to energy services can threaten a household's economic well-being over time, possibly by preventing a household from engaging in other economic activities or compounding existing economic hardship. These results emphasize the importance of energy assistance and energy efficiency for low-income households, drawing attention to how structures of energy consumption, the welfare state, and social stratification intertwine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Occupant behaviour (OB) is recognized as a leading source of uncertainty in building performance predictions. Neglecting the potential influence of uncertainties on building performance could result in erroneous decision-making during the design phase. Therefore, it is essential that uncertainties are appropriately considered within building performance simulation (BPS) models. As for OB, there are various approaches to model occupant presence and actions in BPS tools. Literature shows that the appropriate modelling approach depends on the object and purpose of the simulation, which makes it difficult to favour a method over another a priori. Moreover, there is very little support for selecting the most appropriate modelling approach. As a result, OB is modelled in practice in various ways, mostly dictated by intuition and habit. This study builds on previous literature to introduce and test a complete approach for appropriate OB modelling. The method can be generalized and readily applied to design questions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Buildings and energy systems are shaped within many different kinds of departments and agencies throughout local governments. This article argues that further opportunities exist to reduce the energy use of buildings and their associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through the existing powers and jurisdiction of local governments. We use the example of New York City, where buildings produced 73 percent of all GHG emissions in 2014. By analyzing a data set of almost four thousand large buildings, we identify new opportunities for planners and other professionals to reduce energy use and GHG emissions by focusing on different mechanisms and/or collaborations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Demand response is receiving increasing interest as a new form of flexibility within low-carbon power systems. Energy models are an important tool to assess the potential capability of demand side contributions. This paper critically reviews the assumptions in current models and introduces a new conceptual framework to better facilitate such an assessment. We propose three dimensions along which change could occur, namely technology, activities and service expectations. Using this framework, the socio-technical assumptions underpinning ‘bottom-up’ activity-based energy demand models are identified and a number of shortcomings are discussed. First, links between appliance usage and activities are not evidence-based. We propose new data collection approaches to address this gap. Second, aside from thermal comfort, service expectations, which can be an important source of flexibility, are under-represented and their inclusion into demand models would improve their predicative power in this area. Finally, flexibility can be present over a range of time scales, from immediate responses, to longer term trends. Longitudinal time use data from participants in demand response schemes may be able to illuminate these. The recommendations of this paper seek to enhance the current state-of-the-art in activity-based models and to provide useful tools for the assessment of demand response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between industry-based product certification and professional accreditation in moving social movement ideals into the market needs further exploration. Using qualitative data on the use of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) commercial green building standard and individuals who became LEED Accredited Professionals, this article addresses the interplay between product and professional standards in translating social movement ideals into economic value in order to influence market activity and the work of professionals. As a voluntary green building standard, LEED created a usable metric and a bridging language to counter cost arguments. The LEED AP professional standard cultivated a professional green identity, trained professionals in cross-disciplinary knowledge, and created professional market radicals. Professional market radicals work as advocates for sustainability, professionals who understand the building certification, and market actors who integrate sustainable ideals into the industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the Paris Agreement, 80% of all proven fossil fuel reserves become stranded resources and investments already made in such resources turn into stranded assets. Much of the existing literature focuses on equitable burden sharing; only a few articles examine the risks for developing countries that invest in new fossil fuels. Hence, this paper addresses the question: What are the risks of investing in fossil fuels for developing countries? In doing so, it examines Kenya, a prospective fossil fuel producer, and China, an investor in fossil fuels. In terms of short- to long-term risks, ignoring new fossil fuels and investing in renewables is favourable and politically, socially, ecologically and economically more rewarding, not least because latecomers to development run the risk of having to compensate investors when new fossil fuel assets strand prematurely and become unrecoverable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A list of authors is presented which includes Jeffrey Bury, R. Choudhary and Declan Conway.