Putting consumers at the center of the energy transition is vital to meet climate change and affordable, secure energy access goals in conjunction. This is now more important than ever, as consumers around the world face unprecedented price pressures generated by fossil fuel dependence and triggered by the turmoil resulting from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Today’s twin challenge is to help consumers through present difficulties while enabling a rapid transition that secures inclusion, sustainability and affordability in the shortest timeframe possible. The costs of inaction is and will be more and more severe, both to people and the planet. The opportunity to leverage currently available tools to meet both goals at the same time is well within our reach.
The authors use the framework of the 'consumer journey' to examine the barriers to action at each stage of a consumer’s interaction with energy-related technologies and services, so that the role of improved consumer protection and empowerment can be examined. The authors focus on three types of energy services: home heating and cooling; cooking; and transport. Linked to these three types of energy services, they look at three types of action that consumers can take: choosing clean energy supply; buying and using buildings and appliances; and becoming more actively engaged with the energy system.
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