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In addition to scrutinizing the decision process behind energy efficiency investment, this study investigates its association with energy-saving behavior. Its conceptual underpinnings are based on the intersection of behavioral change and "energy efficiency paradox" theories. Based upon a rich, disaggregated dataset representative of the French housing sector, it develops an energy-saving score based on the item response theory model, which considers household attributes and ability levels. Then this score is used as an independent factor of a multivariate probit model to examine the drivers of household investment decisions for various energy performance solutions. The results highlight that: (i) contextual and attitudinal attributes are two major drivers of energy efficiency investments, and (ii) depending on the energy solution considered, there is a significant inverse relationship between energy-savings behavior and energy efficiency investments. This reveals that environmental awareness is not necessarily a driving factor behind energy efficiency investments and emphasizes the so-called "rebound effect" issue. The results support the view that promoting energy-saving behaviors and energy efficiency investments necessitate differentiated public policies that consider both individual preferences and housing stock heterogeneity. The analysis offers valuable policy guidance and research agenda outlining future energy efficiency research priorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We examine the impact of social norms and feedback on energy efficiency. • We designed a lab experiment with a sample of 306 participants. • The results show that motivational feedback is effective in encouraging energy efficiency. • The results highlight that environmental orientation increases energy-saving measures. • The results call for extensive integration of behavioral approaches in energy efficiency policies. As most countries strive to go carbon neutral by 2050, promoting energy efficiency in buildings is a critical step toward achieving this objective. Here, we propose an innovative lab experiment with a large sample of 306 participants to evaluate the role of informational instruments in shaping individuals' preferences for energy efficiency. To analyze the data, we use a rigorous empirical approach consisting of probit regression and propensity score matching. Our findings suggest that motivational feedback positively and significantly affects energy efficiency preference. We also find that older people are relatively less likely to prefer energy efficiency, as are those who contribute less to an environmental association and those who are more risk-taking and impatient. With lower significance, we also observe that households more confident in government policies' efficiency are more inclined to opt for energy efficiency. Additionally, our study makes a methodological contribution by demonstrating the usefulness of probit regression and propensity score matching in analyzing complex data and determining a causal relationship pertaining to energy-related behavior. Our results have important implications for policymakers and practitioners seeking to promote sustainable building practices and reduce energy consumption in the residential sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global energy markets are experiencing an unprecedented confluence of events that are driving up gas prices and bringing energy security to the forefront, adding further complexity to already uncertain prospects following global economic recovery from COVID-19. This article examines the factors that have led to the current surge in natural gas prices and the role of green investment in enhancing energy security and accelerating the transition pace for a sustainable world. It also discusses the potential short- and long-term implications of ongoing spikes in energy prices on global energy transition. The analysis highlights that while renewables could provide a promising solution to enhance energy security, the current energy crisis has revealed that the current scale of renewable energy investments is not ready to address ongoing energy needs, forcing countries to re-unlock further hydrocarbon fuel sources such as coal, putting global energy transition on hold. The paper concludes with policy recommendations that enable unlocking clean energy investments amid a strained geopolitical context. • We focus on how to balance climate mitigation and energy security goals. • We examine the role of green finance and investments in accelerating the energy transition. • We also discuss the potential short- and long-term implications of ongoing energy spikes. • The current scale of green energy investments is not ready to address ongoing energy needs. • We conclude with policy recommendations that enable unlocking clean energy developments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines a crucial question that has been raised in recent years in both policy and economic literature: the role of uncertainty as a barrier to energy retrofit decisions. We develop a discrete choice experiment to elicit preferences for energy renovation measures. This methodologically innovative experiment design includes two insurance schemes covering potential sources of uncertainty as attributes of the energy retrofit alternatives. We use a mixed logit model to investigate the nature of systematic heterogeneity in household preferences for attributes of energy retrofit solutions. The article shows that uncertainties related to future energy pricing and retrofit quality are negatively perceived during energy-renovation decision making. This impact varies according to household characteristics such as risk aversion and perceptions of the economic context. The results suggest that public policies should support and accompany the development of insurance schemes to increase energy renovation rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy renovation faces critical challenges due to upfront costs and operational complexities, impeding its widespread adoption. Some strategies have initiated a groundbreaking economic model featuring a third-party payment mechanism. Under this innovative scheme, households redirect their energy bill savings to a third-party operator to fund renovation projects. In this study, employing a controlled laboratory experiment, we examine the diversity in preferences regarding this government policy and investigate the influence of informational tools on individuals' intentions to participate in the program. Our findings reveal that households with a strong environmental orientation, a penchant for risk-taking, and more altruistic and patient are more inclined to express interest in this program. Surprisingly, information designed to activate social norms and instill confidence in government intervention does not significantly enhance adoption intentions. Our experiment offers valuable methodological insights that can inform the implementation of effective energy renovation initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We examine the effect of political stability on renewable energy production (RENP) • We investigate whether the financial development affect RENP • Support for our hypotheses has been provided based on panel quantile approach • The effect of political stability index on REP is heterogeneous. • We argued that financial development affects positively renewable energy production • The findings could guide the necessary energy policy transformation in MENA Region With the growing pressure from the adverse impact of environmental pollution and climate change, the deployment of renewable sources is becoming one of the economic priorities for governments worldwide. Despite potential gains of renewable sources, little evidence is provided in the literature about the determinants of renewable energy deployment in the MENA region. In particular, whether political stability, governance quality and financial development matter or not for unleashing the potentials of renewable energy programs. To this end, this paper aims to fill the gap by examining the impact of political stability, quality of governance and institutions, and financial development on the deployment of renewable energy production in 9 selected MENA countries using annual data over the period 1984-2014. Accordingly, an innovative panel quantile regression model with non-additive fixed effect has been developed to tackle this issue. Our findings confirm that the effect of political stability is clearly heterogeneous and supports earlier claims about the importance of political stability to foster investments in the renewable energy sector. Findings also show that financial development has a positive impact on renewable energy production. In addition, we also find that the interaction term between governance effectiveness and financial development is negative for the lower quantiles but positive for the highest quantiles. These findings support our hypotheses and suggest that political stability, governance effectiveness, and financial development are essential drivers for promoting renewable energy production in the MENA region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the question of domestic energy consumption. It concentrates on the example of France and using micro-data from the 2002 and 2006 National Housing Surveys conducted by INSEE (National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies). The empirical analysis is divided into three stages: the first verifies the correspondences between modes of energy consumption, household profiles and housing profiles, in order to classify consumer mode types; the second looks at the stabilities and variations over time of each of these types; the last seeks to identify the causes of these changes. The findings reveal sharp divergences between the factors affecting global consumption, consumption per m 2 and per person. These variations can be explained by the impact of the demographic characteristics of households, residential mobility and life cycles. Therefore, these findings demonstrate the flexibility over time of domestic energy consumption, which is still too often approached as a static variable solely associated with building characteristics. They need to be taken further through a longitudinal and multidisciplinary approach to energy consumption patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We examine the critical determinants of heating system choices in France. • We develop a discreet choice model based on a nationally representative survey. • We provide crucial insights on the heating energy choices. • The outcomes have important implications for energy policymakers. • Results help design public incentives to increase heating system energy efficiency. In the context of environmental protection through energy management, heating energy consumption raises a major question. Thus, identifying the primary drivers of such consumption represents an important step toward addressing the challenges of growing energy demand. To facilitate the adoption of more efficient heating household systems, this study develops a Multinomial Logit approach to examine factors influencing heating energy consumption. Using the 2016 French Housing Survey, provided by the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies, this article finds striking evidence that dwelling characteristics such as dwelling type, year of construction, and location present the most significant drivers of heating energy choice. However, sociodemographic characteristics also hold some importance in the matter. The discovered consumption outcomes have important implications for policymakers, shedding light on consumers' profile and determinants of heating energy sources, the latter marking the core of the European Union's competitive low-carbon economy by 2050 roadmap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new sustainable development goals (SDGs) call for actions to close the gap between the protection of the environment and the socio-economic development. To shed light on the link among economy, society, and ecology, this study assesses the ability of renewable energy to moderate the effects of CO 2 emissions on human development and economic growth for 31 transitional economies. Our findings substantiate that: (i) CO 2 emissions have unconditional negative effects on human development and economic growth; (ii) the net impacts on human development and economic growth are positive from the interplay between renewable energy and CO 2 emissions, i.e. renewable energy reduces the influences of per capita CO 2 emissions on human development and economic growth; (iii) renewable energy interacts with CO 2 intensity and CO 2 emissions from liquid fuel consumption to negatively influence economic growth and human development. To dampen these net negative effects, corresponding renewable energy thresholds were computed and discussed. Theoretical and empirical contributions, implications to policymakers, and practitioners are also discussed. • Effect of renewable energy (RE) on environment, economic growth, and human development (HD) is examined. • CO 2 emissions (CO) have unconditional negative effects on economic growth and HD. • RE complements CO 2 emissions to enhance economic growth and inclusive human development. • RE interacts with CO from liquid fuel consumption and CO 2 intensity to negatively affect economic growth. • RE interacts with CO from liquid fuel consumption and CO 2 intensity to negatively affect HD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new sustainable development goals (SDGs) call for actions to close the gap between the protection of the environment and the socio-economic development. To shed light on the link among economy, society, and ecology, this study assesses the ability of renewable energy to moderate the effects of CO 2 emissions on human development and economic growth for 31 transitional economies. Our findings substantiate that: (i) CO 2 emissions have unconditional negative effects on human development and economic growth; (ii) the net impacts on human development and economic growth are positive from the interplay between renewable energy and CO 2 emissions, i.e. renewable energy reduces the influences of per capita CO 2 emissions on human development and economic growth; (iii) renewable energy interacts with CO 2 intensity and CO 2 emissions from liquid fuel consumption to negatively influence economic growth and human development. To dampen these net negative effects, corresponding renewable energy thresholds were computed and discussed. Theoretical and empirical contributions, implications to policymakers, and practitioners are also discussed. • Effect of renewable energy (RE) on environment, economic growth, and human development (HD) is examined. • CO 2 emissions (CO) have unconditional negative effects on economic growth and HD. • RE complements CO 2 emissions to enhance economic growth and inclusive human development. • RE interacts with CO from liquid fuel consumption and CO 2 intensity to negatively affect economic growth. • RE interacts with CO from liquid fuel consumption and CO 2 intensity to negatively affect HD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article develops a quantile regression model to measure the magnitude of the direct rebound effect for residential electricity demand based on micro-level data from an original survey of a representative sample of 2356 French households. We explore the rebound effect for different groups of residents. Traditionally, debate has focused on decreased prices for energy services due to efficiency improvements and their effects on energy demand. The methodological innovation provided by this paper is that it implements two theoretical estimation strategies: (i) energy efficiency elasticity of the demand for energy services, and (ii) price elasticity of the demand for energy services. Our findings reject the hypothesis of a backfire effect in the context of residential electricity use. Specifically, based on energy efficiency elasticity, we provide evidence of a rebound effect of between 72% and 86% but with substantial heterogeneity among consumption quantiles. Our results show that the direct rebound effect has critical relevance for energy efficiency policy in the face of energy invisibility in France. • The rebound effect of residential electricity demand is estimated • The recent French PHEBUS survey and quantile regression are used • The results provide evidence of a rebound effect of between 38% and 86% • Findings reveal substantial heterogeneity among consumption quantile • The analysis suggests that the rebound effect has critical relevance for energy efficiency policymaking [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]