Sustainable development and the current socio-economic situation in the country have strongly emphasized the need to reduce energy consumption, increase the role of renewable energies and thus meet the objectives proposed in the National Energy Strategy 2020, already translated in particular in the PNAEE approved in the previous Government. Also, the current Government Program assumes as a priority objective “to substantially improve the country’s energy efficiency (reduction by 25% of consumption by 2020).
With regard to individual energy consumption, with a focus on the housing segment, a series of “good practices” have been tried, mainly through the annulment of useless consumption, the reduction of abdicated consumption and options for using appliances and lighting sources with greater energy efficiency.
The high levels of disinformation still persistent, the perception of distance to power and distrust of the State in measures that revert to the benefit of the citizen; as well as the reduced financial capacity to purchase energy-efficient vehicles, appliances or light sources; and the inertia of practices – have been the main barriers to effective behavior change. It is therefore essential to know the obstacles to the adoption of sustainable energy behaviors. For this, different socioeconomic profiles of consumers and the representations, beliefs and values regarding the energy efficiency associated with each profile were identified.
Associated Publications:
“Sem ela era complicado viver”: Representações, crenças e práticas juvenis sobre o consumo de energia (Comunicações)
