Different energy poverty issues, different engagement behaviors? An empirical analysis of citizen groups in Europe

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2025

Authors

Grozea-Banica, B (Author) Other; Vera L. Miguéis (Author) FEUP; Lia Patrício (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: ENERGY RESEARCH & SOCIAL SCIENCE

Vol. 122

ISSN: 2214-6296

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 0 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-018-8PT

DOI: 10.1016/j.erss.2025.104003

Abstract (EN): Engagement in the ongoing energy transition is particularly challenging for energy-poor citizens. As such, there is a pressing need for a better understanding of their experiences and for strategies that enable their engagement. In this study, we identify different groups of citizens based on their energy poverty issues and examine their engagement behaviors (seeking information, proactive managing, sharing feedback, helping others, and advocating). Using cluster analysis and multiple correspondence analysis, we analyzed a sample of 915 citizens from eight European cities participating in a Horizon2020 EU project (Alkmaar-NL, Bari-IT, Celje-SI, Evora-PT, Granada-ES, Hvidovre-DK, Ioannina-GR, & Uacute;jpest-HU). Several groups of citizens reported either multiple energy issues, a single issue (energy bills, insulation, cooling, heating), or no issues, and the statistical tests showed significant differences across these groups in terms of engagement in seeking information, helping, and advocating. Moreover, we identified that certain groups tend to have specific levels of engagement (high, medium, low) and that sharing feedback generally has a low level of engagement. Overall, this study provides empirical insights into how energy-poor citizens exercise agency through engagement behaviors and offers actionable insights for designing measures to mitigate energy poverty in complementarity with technical and economical solutions.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 19