Energy citizenship: Accounting for the heterogeneity of human behaviours within energy transition

According to the European Green Deal, achieving energy transition, which aims to establish a shift towards a more sustainable and low-carbon energy system, requires the active participation of citizens. Consequently, the concept of energy citizenship has emerged as a means of understanding the role of citizens in this process. This study conducts an integrative literature review with the objective of providing a comprehensive definition of energy citizenship and distinguishing between different types of energy citizens based on their engagement within the energy system. Six different types of energy citizens (i.e., consumer; prosumer and prosumager; participant in protests and movements; policymaker; business entity; and energy community), acting as either individuals or as collective entities or both, have been defined. This differentiation highlights the heterogeneity of human behaviours within energy transition. We argue that policymaking aimed at fostering energy transition should consider the behavioural dimensions of all types of energy citizens. In order to effectively support a fair, inclusive, and just energy transition, policy measures and intervention instruments need to account for various barriers, drivers as well as the socio-economic context of the diverse stakeholders participating in innovation ecosystems.

Automated summary

According to the European Green Deal, energy transition requires the active participation of citizens, and the concept of energy citizenship has emerged to understand the role of citizens in this process. This study provides a comprehensive definition of energy citizenship and distinguishes between different types of energy citizens. The differentiation highlights the heterogeneity of human behaviors within energy transition, and policymakers should consider the behavioral dimensions of all types of energy citizens in fostering the transition.