Project

Public acceptance of policies for energy efficient buildings

We study the knowledge gaps in the field and offer a methodological tool for future research.

PROJECT INFORMATION
Timeline
January – December 2025

Total cost of project
537 264 SEK

Swedish Energy Agency’s project number
P2024-03194

Coordinator
Uppsala University

Participants
Uppsala University

Project manager and contact
Fouad El Gohary: fouad.el.gohary@angstrom.uu.se

Public acceptance is a crucial factor in the success of policies aimed at improving the energy efficiency of buildings. Whether targeting demand flexibility, efficiency, or electrification, these policies require engagement from building owners, tenants, and consumers. Without sufficient approval, even well-designed measures may face resistance, delaying implementation and limiting impact.

This project synthesizes research on public acceptance of energy policies in buildings. It consists of two parts:

  1. A review of public acceptance studies on energy-related interventions in buildings
  2. An evaluation of methodological approaches that could be applied in this context

The first part identifies knowledge gaps, while the second offers a toolkit for future research. Together, these efforts provide a foundation for improving public acceptance of energy-efficient building policies.

The project conducted a structured literature review to identify common patterns, key barriers, and drivers of support. Two colleagues from different disciplines, sociology and psychology, served as a sounding board, providing interdisciplinary perspectives on public perceptions and acceptance.

The outcome is a clearer understanding of what drives public acceptance of building decarbonization policies and a methodological framework to guide future studies. Policymakers, energy companies, and researchers will be able to gain insights into how different policy designs affect public support, helping shape more effective and widely accepted measures.

More from the project

Final report

 

Appendix: Method–Objective Matching Framework 

 

Article
Understanding social acceptance of demand-side flexibility – lessons from a decade of global research (2015–2025) (Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2026)

Resurseffektiv bebyggelse

The research and innovation program Resurseffektiv bebyggelse contributes to new knowledge and solutions without negative climate impact, while simultaneously developing buildings into active nodes in the energy system.

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