Development of a scale to measure active sustainable energy behavior (ASEC)
One of the most important challenges in analyzing active sustainable energy behavior and its underlying mechanisms is the ability to capture this behavior as accurately and validly as possible. According to our definition, active sustainable energy consumption (ASEC) behavior consists of various individual activities that are arranged on an ascending scale from low to high sustainability impacts and low to high levels of activity on the part of consumers. These include (1) reducing overall energy consumption in the household (e.g. heating, cooling, electricity, etc.), (2) using smart technologies to monitor and control energy consumption, (3) using renewable energy sources, (4) producing energy yourself and (5) participating in energy communities.
Due to its specific characteristics, namely the increasing difficulty of the activities and their heterogeneity, ASEC behavior is best described with a dichotomous Rasch model. In such a model, the likelihood that an individual will or will not engage in a particular sustainable energy behavior is a function of their attitude (i.e., commitment to a particular energy-related goal) and the cost (i.e., difficulty) associated with a particular behavior. The greater the difference between commitment and cost, the more likely/unlikely it is that a particular behavior will be implemented. A Rasch model provides estimates of the likelihood of a particular behavior occurring based on the (average) characteristics of consumers and the difficulty of the item in question, which can then be subjected to further analysis, e.g. to identify relevant other predictors of ASEC behavior. Such an approach makes it possible to draw conclusions about the frequency and difficulty of different behaviors in the population and thus determine which ASEC behaviors need to be prioritized for intervention, making the legal decision-making process more transparent.
In a series of studies, we developed a scale based on 25 items, each representing ASEC behaviors at the five levels of activity mentioned above (see table for sample items). For each item, consumers are asked to indicate its frequency. In two studies confirming a Rasch model structure (n = 459 und n = 734), the scale achieved sufficient statistical fit and reliability. Please contact us for further information on this scale.
Activity | Example items |
Energy saving | I use eco mode for household appliances whenever possible. |
Consume of green energy | I compare different electricity providers to see if they provide green electricity. |
Energy production | I produce sustainable electricity myself (e.g., using photovoltaic systems on the roof, on the balcony, in the garage or in the garden). |
Use of smart technologies | I use (web) applications provided by my electricity provider to regulate my electricity consumption. |
Participating in energy communities | I am part of an energy community or am willing to join an energy community. |
Promotion of sustainable energy behavior
The energy transition and its necessity for curbing the climate crisis is now on everyone's lips. The European Commission has published a series of measures aimed at driving forward the energy transition and thus the decentralized generation of electricity from renewable sources. The focus here is on consumers, who are to take responsibility for the energy transition through their active participation in the energy market. As new laws have come into force, consumers now have numerous opportunities to actively participate in energy issues, but for various reasons they do not make use of these diverse options, or do so only insufficiently. This is partly the result of psychological and social factors that influence consumer behavior. How people actually behave in relation to legal regulations can therefore not be determined by a normative jurisprudential approach alone, but only in collaboration with other (empirical) sciences.
At the interface between law and psychology, our CLP research group attempts to answer questions such as: Do consumers actually behave as the legislator expects them to? What influence do legal regulations and other non-legal factors have on their behavior? How can effective extra-legal factors be successfully integrated into the legal regulation of the desired behavior? Do different groups of people possibly need to be addressed differently in order to effectively steer them towards desired behaviors? And more generally, how can consumers as a whole be better involved in sustainable energy use?
Knowledge of the psychological and social factors that influence consumers' energy behavior, both positively and negatively, enables us to develop targeted measures to promote active and sustainable energy behavior. In accordance with EU guidelines, we are not only focusing on energy-saving behavior, but are broadening our focus to include the promotion of sustainable energy, the use of smart technology to monitor and control energy consumption, the self-production of (renewable) energy and participation in renewable energy communities in addition to general energy saving. To underline the novel aspects of this behavior, we have established the term "ASEC" behavior (active sustainability oriented energy consumption).
To promote ASEC behavior, we refer to the concept of "empowerment", which is currently also a central topic in European consumer policy. This is based on the assumption that the average energy consumer needs support in order to demonstrate the expected active and sustainable energy behavior. This includes clear, user-friendly and transparent information on prices and conditions, up-to-date and frequent feedback on energy consumption (e.g. via smart meters) and information on their rights. What does this mean in concrete terms? In a study, we examined the use of smart meters. Smart meters are intelligent electricity meters whose information can be used to visualize electricity consumption at 15-minute intervals, thus giving consumers the opportunity to monitor and control their electricity consumption. Such meters are installed in every household, but hardly anyone takes advantage of this offer. Appropriate legislation could, for example, oblige companies to draw attention to the benefits of using smart meters more successfully.