Search Results (41)

Renewable energy communities (RECs) are legally recognised instruments of decentralised energy transition, but their scaling remains limited by a separation between governance design, economic appraisal, and multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDM/A). This systematic review applies a conservative explicit-reporting coupling diagnostic to 322 REC studies from a 2014–2026 corpus. The diagnostic identifies 267 unilateral studies (82.9%), 55 bilateral studies (17.1%), and no study satisfying the strict trilateral criterion at the title/abstract/metadata reporting threshold. A loosened-keyword sensitivity test identified two weak trilateral candidates, but the manual construct-validity audit did not support reclassifying them as strong trilateral studies. The result is therefore interpreted as a conditional and conservative signal of limited visible integration, not as proof that no body-text-level integration exists. The paper argues that the observed separation is not only methodological but also institutional. It therefore proposes second-level renewable energy cooperatives as federated decision-support entities that pool data stewardship, distributional economic appraisal, stakeholder-weighted MCDM/A, and auditable cooperative voting packages while preserving local REC control. The model converts the explicit-reporting gap into a testable governance architecture for REC scaling. Full article

In high-demand financial environments, employees’ capacity to regulate and sustain personal energy may constitute a critical yet underdeveloped organizational resource. Drawing on the Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) model and Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, this study conceptualizes energy management as a multidimensional personal resource that may support adaptive functioning and innovation under demanding work conditions. Despite increasing conceptual attention to energy-related constructs, systematic scale validation and cross-level performance evidence remain limited. This research adopts a two-study design to develop and validate a multidimensional Energy Management Scale within financial institutions. Study 1 (N = 299 employees from 11 financial institutions) examines the factorial structure, reliability, and nomological validity of the scale. Confirmatory factor analysis is used to examine the proposed four-dimensional configuration of physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual energy. The scale demonstrates acceptable internal consistency reliability and evidence of structural validity, including convergent and discriminant validity. Structural modeling results reveal that overall energy management is positively related to innovative behavior and organizational citizenship behavior. However, perceived workload was significantly associated only with physical energy, suggesting that demand-related mechanisms of energy may not operate uniformly across energy components. Additionally, exploratory institution-level aggregation analyses showed preliminary, counterintuitive negative associations between mean organizational energy levels and return on equity (ROE) in some years. Given the limited number of institutional clusters, these cross-level findings are preliminary and intended to provide initial external criterion evidence rather than confirmatory causal inference. Study 2 (N = 148 employees from two institutions) further examines alternative scale versions and external validity through stress coping capacity, job satisfaction, and life satisfaction. Results were discussed to examine the robustness and predictive validity of the scale across samples. Collectively, this study advances energy management research by providing a psychometrically supported measurement instrument and preliminary multilevel evidence of its organizational relevance. The findings position energy management as a measurable human-capital resource with implications for sustainable workforce innovation and performance in financial institutions. Full article

Opportunities for citizens to become prosumers have grown rapidly with renewable energy (RE) technologies reaching grid parity. The European Union’s ability to harness this potential depends on empowering energy citizens, fostering active engagement, and overcoming resistance to RE deployment. European energy law introduced “renewable self-consumers” and “active customers” with rights to consume, sell, store, and share RE, alongside rights for citizens collectively organised in energy communities. This article explores conditions for inclusive citizen engagement and empowerment within the RE system. Building on an ownership- and governance-oriented approach, we further develop the concept of energy citizenship, focusing on three elements: conditions for successful engagement, individual versus collective (financial) participation, and the role of public (co-)ownership in fostering inclusion. The analysis is supported by 82 semi-structured interviews, corroborating our theoretical lens. Findings show that participation, especially of vulnerable consumers, relies on an intact “engagement chain,” while energy communities remain an underused instrument for inclusion. Institutional environments enabling municipalities and public entities to act as pace-making (co-)owners are identified as key. Complementing the market and the State, civil society holds important potential to enhance engagement. Inspired by the 2017 European Pillar of Social Rights, we propose a corresponding “European Pillar of Energy Rights.” Full article

Active citizen participation in both consumption and production is essential for a successful renewable energy transition. The paper explores the early development of prosumerism in Jerusalem, a city characterized by socio-political fragmentation and unequal access to infrastructure. Based on a 320-sample survey conducted in East and West Jerusalem, the paper analyzes awareness, motivation, and barriers to solar energy adoption in the city. The results show that only 12% of respondents currently produce and consume their own energy, while 66% had never heard of the term “prosumerism.” Financial savings were shown to be the primary driver of implementing solar systems, both in East and West Jerusalem. Key barriers included high installation costs, limited regulatory knowledge, and administrative complexity. Despite these obstacles, 70% of respondents expressed interest in community energy initiatives, highlighting significant potential for citizen-led models in fragmented urban contexts. Full article

Human energy production and consumption have significantly contributed to the environmental crisis, impacting human health, wellbeing, and social justice. In this context, the concept of energy citizenship has emerged, referring to civic engagement in fostering sustainable and democratic energy systems and transitions. Under the Horizon Europe project EnergyPROSPECTS (PROactive Strategies and Policies for Energy Citizenship Transformation), we investigated the conditions and dynamics that promote or hinder energy citizenship and empower citizens to contribute to sustainable energy transformations. Through 44 in-depth interviews and four deliberative workshops in four European case study regions with individuals and organizations engaged in different forms of energy citizenship, we identified key psychological and organizational factors driving citizen empowerment. These findings informed the development of an interactive empowerment toolkit, a digital learning resource designed to enhance energy citizenship literacy and skills. This toolkit, although primarily targeting adults interested in energy citizenship, is adaptable for students and educators at various levels, offering two tracks: one for beginners with no prior involvement in the exercise of energy citizenship, and another for those with experience in energy activism. We highlight the scientific basis of the toolkit, detailing its components and demonstrating its application in fostering energy citizenship empowerment. The tool aims to equip users with the skills and knowledge necessary to actively participate in sustainable energy transitions. Full article

This study examines the intersection of renewable energy and tourism by exploring why domestic tourists visit wind farm sites for recreation. Traditionally seen as industrial facilities, wind farms are now recognized as dual-purpose attractions that promote environmental awareness and local economic growth. Using the Value–Belief–Norm (VBN) theory, Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), and New Environmental Paradigm (NEP) as theoretical lenses, we investigate the psychological, social, and cultural factors influencing wind farm tourism. The key determinants of tourist behavior include attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, personal norms, and environmental beliefs. Structural equation modeling (SEM) indicates that personal norms have the strongest direct impact on tourists’ intentions (underscoring the importance of internalized moral obligations in this context), with additional indirect effects through environmental citizenship factors. The findings highlight wind farms’ potential to foster sustainability, community engagement, and rural development. Managerial recommendations include providing visitor amenities, targeted marketing, and community involvement to enhance wind farms’ appeal as tourism destinations. This study contributes to tourism theory by expanding the definition of attractions to include renewable energy sites. Future research should examine the moderating role of past behavior and incorporate additional environmental citizenship variables to deepen insights into wind farm tourism. Full article

As global environmental challenges intensify, there is an increasing need to equip younger generations with the knowledge, values, and sense of responsibility necessary for a sustainable future. This study explores how environmental citizenship education (ECE), implemented through a nature-based learning program within a Nature and Science School (NSS) in Türkiye, was experienced and interpreted by primary school pupils in relation to their development of understanding of sustainability and environmental citizenship. NSSs, integrated into the formal education system by the Turkish Ministry of National Education, offer inquiry-driven and experiential learning in natural settings. The study took place in Talat Göktepe Grove, a biodiverse site including forest and marine ecosystems, where a four-month ECE program was conducted. A holistic single-case study design was employed, drawing on pupil diaries and semi-structured interviews. A total of 88 pupils engaged in structured outdoor activities addressing biodiversity, sustainability, and the climate crisis. Initially, pupils described environmental citizenship through individual actions. Over time, their perspectives expanded to include civic participation, environmental rights, and collective responsibility. Their reflections also revealed a more nuanced understanding of sustainability, encompassing concepts such as ecosystem balance, renewable energy, and environmental justice. The study provides insight into how nature-based education may support meaning-making around environmental citizenship and sustainability in early education. Full article

The governance of energy systems is undergoing a transformative shift, vital to advancing the energy transition. Understanding the dynamics of energy citizenship and the factors that influence citizen engagement in energy matters is critical for driving social and institutional change. This paper informs on the key results of a comprehensive analysis of 54 energy citizenship cases in the Baltic states (Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania). The study explores the role of citizens in the energy transition and characterizes the socio-economic and geopolitical factors shaping energy citizenship activities in the region. The governance of energy systems represents a significant transformational shift that is essential for energy transition. A more comprehensive understanding of the current state of energy citizenship and the factors influencing the energy transition process could inform the social and institutional changes necessary for the involvement of citizens in energy matters. This desk study represents a crucial element of the EU Horizon 2000 EnergyPROSPECTS project, which aims to map the landscape of energy citizenship in Europe. This paper presents an in-depth analysis of 54 cases from the Baltic states. The findings provide insight into the role of citizens in the transition process and the underlying factors and conditions that shape energy citizenship activities within the specific socio-economic and geopolitical context of the region. In general, energy citizenship in the Baltic states can be seen to exist on a spectrum between reformative and transformative practices. Overall, progress is being made toward systemic changes in the energy sector, with a focus on the democratization of processes. Nevertheless, additional measures to enhance and reinforce energy citizenship, coupled with the advancement of enabling conditions, are imperative at all levels of governance and across all energy transition scenarios. Full article

This study investigated the motivational factors driving energy citizenship through the lens of self-determination theory. Utilizing data from a survey of 749 respondents, we examined the role of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations in predicting energy citizenship. Our findings reveal that intrinsic motivations, such as personal responsibility for climate change, community involvement, and the desire to reduce one’s carbon footprint, significantly predict engagement in energy citizenship. Conversely, extrinsic motivations, including financial incentives and external pressures, were not significant predictors. The study underscores the importance of intrinsic motivations in fostering sustained pro-environmental behaviours, particularly as the complexity of these behaviours increases. These insights suggest that policymakers should focus on enhancing intrinsic motivations through education, community engagement, and autonomy-supportive initiatives to promote active participation in sustainable energy practices. Full article

Workplace energy conservation is vital for sustainability, as it reduces environmental harm, lowers greenhouse gas emissions, and conserves natural resources. Such procedures lead to significant financial savings, adherence to environmental standards, enhanced corporate social responsibility, and improved organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). This study investigated the impact of organizational culture (OCULT) on OCB, with environmental knowledge (EK) and attitude toward energy savings (ATES) as mediating factors. Components of the theories of planned behavior and value-belief-norm were evaluated through a structural equation model, showing that OCULT influences OCB through EK and ATES, suggesting OCULT’s direct and indirect effects on OCB. The degree to which EK and ATES mediate these effects varies, emphasizing the importance of a strong OCULT in fostering an environmentally conscious workplace. Specifically, the findings reveal that OCULT is responsible for positively impacting ATES and EK, with path coefficients of 0.587 and 0.661, respectively. OCB is positively influenced by it (coefficient of 0.228). The research indicates that knowledge is vital in improving organizational behaviors, with a significant correlation between EK and OCB (coefficient of 0.675). Mediation analysis indicates that EK mediates the relationship between OCULT and OCB (standardized estimate of 0.344), and that ATES and EK together can enhance OCB (standardized estimate of 0.078), demonstrating a robust and meaningful causal effect mediating this link. This outcome is the product of the mutually beneficial interaction among various variables. This study highlights the importance of integrating cultural considerations into knowledge management to foster a more engaged and proactive workforce, which will enhance organizational performance. As a practical implication, managers should promote energy-saving behaviors and nurture a supportive OCULT to enhance OCB. Incorporating sustainability into core organizational strategies will result in a dedicated workforce actively participating in OCB and energy-saving initiatives. Full article

As acceleration toward the transition to a carbon-neutral energy production becomes an urgent imperative, universities are called to play a multifaceted role: to produce knowledge and cutting-edge research for the pursuit of energy transition; to transform infrastructures to promote circular economy practices and a more sustainable use of their building stock; and to promote energy citizenship through formal and informal education. The authors aim to move from these considerations to critically present some actions and programs in education, research, and campus operations in which the University of Bologna is engaged. The first part presents an overview of the role of universities in this transition, with a focus on the UI GreenMetric international standard for assessing the different dimensions of sustainability. In the core section, an empirical focus is provided on Bologna and its Cesena campus through three directions: the University’s multicampus sustainable strategy (campus operations), the relevant research–action projects on energy justice and the energy transition (research), and the EN-ACTION project to foster energy citizenship and behavioral change in students and citizens (education). This study concludes that the comprehensive approach of the University of Bologna in integrating sustainability into its operations, education, and research while fostering student engagement in energy citizenship, provides a replicable model for other institutions. It highlights the need for consistent and ongoing support to ensure the long-term impact and effectiveness of sustainability initiatives. The integration of social components and engagement with civil society is crucial for fostering a collective behavioral shift toward low-carbon systems, which can be further supported by interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research approaches. Full article

Sustainable energy projects can help societies reduce climate change’s negative impacts. In the present paper, published studies regarding European community energy schemes (CESs) were analysed to investigate CESs’ barriers and drivers towards including community members and, more specifically, vulnerable groups. This review followed the PRISMA guidelines to ensure transparency. Exclusion and inclusion criteria were defined to select the proper articles and books that were aligned with the scope of this review. A total of 143 publications from 2019 to February 2024 were considered and selected. Content analysis was used to outline the various definitions of energy poverty, vulnerable groups, and CESs as well as the different strategies and approaches followed by European countries to tackle energy poverty and increase public engagement in CESs. This research suggests that environmental citizenship is a concept that can bring individuals and society together to promote changes in energy-related behaviours. The outcome reveals factors that enhance community energy acceptance and social cohesion such as providing energy education or education for sustainability to community members, financial support, increased prosocial culture, and the participation of vulnerable groups in CESs. This can be achieved through various interventions to help community members, including vulnerable groups, understand sustainable energy behaviour and thus reduce energy poverty. Full article

Renewable energy communities (RECs) are increasingly seen as key innovations for the development of decentralized energy systems that leverage on renewable energy co-production, sharing, and consumption. However, they still represent a niche in search of development and consolidation, and the social innovations they might bring to the energy systems need to be further scrutinized. Innovations related to the capacity to support forms of social entrepreneurship in the energy system are central to this analysis, even if they have been little studied in Italy in relation to the emerging field of renewable energy communities. Through a theoretical discussion aimed at fulfilling descriptive objectives, this paper examines, on the one hand, the social innovations related to community energy projects and, with a focus on Italy, the legal forms required to create an REC in the light of the constantly changing regulatory framework, where new actors, such as the Third Sector, can play a leading role as intermediary actors to develop the social implementation of REC initiatives. The paper navigates through the literature on community energy in the light of the social innovation they can bring to the energy system, discusses the niche condition of RECs, and addresses the Italian case with particular reference to the role of the Third Sector in disseminating REC innovations. Full article

This study addresses the urgent need for comprehensive climate education amid a climate emergency. Human (energy) behaviors are developed from childhood and early adulthood. This study hypothesizes that transcending a nation’s net-zero energy ambition can be accomplished through experiential education. An Urban Governance Lab plus nEt-Zero Energy league model is introduced. Various behavioral interventions are designed based on the principles of serious games. Discussions provide rich narratives on how a nation with so many diverse communities can forge a rapid net-zero transition. The blended multi-disciplinary STEM education can drive energy citizenship in campus-like communities. A scenarios-based analysis demonstrating the potential of the proposed model in shaping energy behavior in young citizens leading to net zero is presented. The results from the scenario analysis present optimistic evidence underlining how campus-like communities driven by bottom-up initiatives can realize net-zero ambition beyond hope. Full article

Amidst the global energy crisis, governments are pursuing transitions towards low-carbon energy systems. In addition to physical infrastructure, political and regulatory enablers, and knowledge and capacities, changes in the energy systems require an energy-literate citizenship. Energy literacy is the understanding of how energy is generated, transported, stored, distributed, and used; awareness about its environmental and social impacts; and the knowledge to use it efficiently. The objective of the study is to provide a systematic review of the literature concerning energy literacy. In the methodology followed, the 138 papers found were categorized and subcategorized according to the research field and the main research objective, respectively. The papers are later described together with similar studies. Results show that most of the work performed around energy literacy addresses its evaluation among different groups, particularly students at different levels, and the construction, application, and evaluation of tools for improving energy literacy. Also studied are the influence of energy literacy in decision-making, its drivers, and conceptual research about the topic. The discussion highlights the debate on the link between energy-literate persons and efficient energy use, the under-researched areas of energy literacy, and the key role of energy literacy in addressing the energy crisis. Full article