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Energy Research Topics: Policy, Equity, Security & Fuel Poverty
Active Projects
- UNderstanding LOcal and Community Governance of Energy (UNLOC)
2010 - 2012
The UNLOC project aims to develop a robust understanding of evolving patterns of energy governance at local and community levels. It will demonstrate how grassroots organisations, local government initiatives and national-scale activities interact to create new political opportunities for active citizen engagement in both energy demand reduction and deployment of local energy generation.
- UKERC Energy Demand Theme:
2009 - 2014
- Transport modelling - Christian Brand
- Microgeneration - Noam Bergman
- Social science - Katy Janda, Yael Parag
- Electrification of heat - Noam Bergman, Tina Fawcett, Nick Eyre
- Sustainable Behaviour
2009 - 2011
There has been a shortage of methodical research, assessment and metrics for social innovation, as well as a lack of political and financial support. In this project, case studies of domestic heat pumps, car clubs and the UK Camp for Climate Action have been used to build a classification which could help assess the sustainability potential of niche developments, and indicate which policies would best support them.
- EVALOC – evaluating effectiveness of DECC-funded low carbon communities
2011-2014
A project to assess, explain and communicate the changes in energy use due to community activities within six selected low-carbon communities funded under the DECC's Low Carbon Communities Challenge (LCCC.
- UK Infrastructure Transitions Research Consortium: Long term dynamics of interdependent infrastructure systems
The UK Infrastructure Transitions Research Consortium will inform the analysis, planning and design of national infrastructure, through the development and demonstration of new decision support tools, and working with partners in government and industry.
- IMPACT: Interactive manual of policies to abate carbon from transport
2007 - 2009
A web-based catalogue of transport policies that combines a moderated "wiki" approach with an evidence-based global review on the potential for carbon reduction in the transport sector.
Projects Archive
- Personal Carbon Trading
Oct 04 - Apr 09
An investigation of personal carbon trading (PCT) as a proposed quantity-based policy instrument for reducing the carbon emissions by individuals.
- Mechanisms for achieving demand reduction through Personal Carbon Trading (PCT)
2008-2009
ECI hypothesises that PCT could deliver energy demand reduction through tying together three basic mechanisms: economic, psychological and social. A number of research questions are being examined with this model in mind.
- Carbon Rationing Action Groups: insights for policy design
2008
As part of ECI's work on Personal Carbon Allowances Rachel Howell is researching Carbon Rationing Action Groups (CRAGs) in order to determine whether they have anything useful to tell us about the potential design of a PCT policy.
- Scoping study of a personal carbon trading pilot scheme
Dec 06 - Sep 07
The project is examining what would be involved in implementing a PCT pilot scheme. The project is funded by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and UKERC.
- Carbon Consciousness, Consumer Choice and Electricity (4CE)
Completed Sep 03
ECI leads this pan-European project aiming to empower people to make informed choices between oil, nuclear, renewables and other energy sources in the newly liberalised energy market
- 40% House
Completed Mar 05
The 40% House project studies behavioural and technological changes in the search for how UK households can achieve a 60% reduction in their carbon emissions by 2050.
- Domestic equipment and carbon dioxide emissions (DECADE)
94 - 97
An assemblance of market, behavoiural and other information about domestic electric appliances.
- Lower Carbon Futures Report
2005
This report presents policy solutions to the problem of domestic carbon emissions and identifies routes to lower carbon futures.
- Home Truths
2007
A low carbon strategy to reduce UK Housing emissions by 80%
- Predict and Decide: aviation, climate change and UK policy
Nov 05 - Oct 06
An assessment of the implications of aviation growth in the UK
- IMPACT: Interactive manual of policies to abate carbon from transport
2007 - 2009
A web-based catalogue of transport policies that combines a moderated "wiki" approach with an evidence-based global review on the potential for carbon reduction in the transport sector.
- Cardiff - Penarth transport case study
- Integrated Travel Emissions Profiles
Completed Mar 06
This project has investigated greenhouse gas pollutant emissions and related climate change impacts from transport at the personal, household and local levels.
- The Costs of Rural Travel (SMART)
Completed 96
A project to addresses some of the issues raised by recent increases in traffic in the countryside alongside a decrease in bus services.
- Vehicle Environmental Rating Schemes
Completed 00
Making recommendations on the content and format of a fuel efficiency label for all new passenger cars.
- Travel Emissions Profiles
Completed 97
Travel emission profiles have been developed for individuals by studying their journey patterns, based on 2 Oxfordshire villages. These profiles enabled a better understanding of travel behaviour by studying individuals rather than establishing averages.
- Carbon Labelling
May 2007
ECI have led a number of workshops and events on the topic of carbon labelling, aimed to develop consensus on key issues associated with product carbon labelling.
- Green Electricity: Advising the customer
May 06
With many different green electricity products on the market, customers are confused as to which ones really are best for the environment. The ECI has been developing a Code of Practice for suppliers, to ensure they are given clear, accurate information on which to base their choices.
- Governing Climate Change at Global Cities: A Case Study of Beijing
May 08- Apr 09
Understanding the roles of non-nation state actors including the municipal government, businesses, and NGOs in Beijing’s climate change governance and draw implications for national climate policy and the post-Kyoto climate regime
- Environmental Legacy of the Beijing Olympics
2008- 2009
How much have environmental initiatives contributed to the success of the Beijing Olympic Games and what legacy will these efforts have for the establishment of a sustainable urban transport system in Beijing and in other cities in China
- Governing Climate Change beyond the International Regime: City Actions in China
Sep 2008 - Aug 2009
Identifying the key factors that determine the current carbon actions taken by non-nation state actors in China, and examining the implications of these activities for developing a post-2012 climate regime that can effectively engage China.
- Energising poverty alleviation in South Africa through local services
05 - 06
Improving information on, and access to, sustainable energy services (including energy efficiency and renewables) for the poor. The project focuses on rural and peri-urban energy centres in South Africa.
- Fuel Poverty Judicial Review
April 2008
Dr Brenda Boardman's witness statement for the legal case against the UK Government for failing to meet its legal requirements to eradicate fuel poverty under the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act 2000
- Fuel Poverty Scoping Study
Completed Jul 05
A scoping study to investigate the need for a UK Fuel Poverty Research Centre, with input invited from key stakeholders.
- Competition for the Poor
Completed 02
An ECI report to provide advice on how to achieve full supply competition in the domestic sector without weakening further the most vulnerable households in Northern Ireland.
- Effective Advice
Completed 00
Examination of the effectiveness of energy advice to low income householders.
- Quick Hits
Sep 06 - Dec 06
A series of proposed initiatives developed by the Demand Reduction theme of the UKERC, intended to make a useful contribution in reducing carbon emissions by 2010. They are designed to be relatively easily for the Government or local authorities to implement.
- Methane UK
Completed 04
An ECI report recommending policy options for reducing the UK's methane emissions at the climate science, waste policy and energy interface.
- Analysis of Belgium's climate change mitigation policy
Completed Mar 03
How can Belgium reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 7.5% to meet the Kyoto Protocol and the EU burden-sharing agreement? The ECI offers advice for enhancing energy efficiency.
- Carbon UK
Completed 02
This project considers the greenhouse gas impact of landfills in the UK by calculating landfill carbon budgets, which include carbon emissions associated with degradation, collecion and transport of waste going to landfill.