An energy citizen is an individual who participates individually or collectively in the transition of energy systems in a particular geographical area. Energy citizens use, consume, produce and/or store energy in an improved or reduced manner. Energy citizens’ activities and behaviours affect the decarbonisation of current energy systems in the long run. Their energy-related knowledge, when shared, allow energy citizens to have also an advocacy role. The effects can be positive (e.g supporting the clean energy transition, investing in energy-efficient appliances or participating in a local energy initiative), negative (e.g. public resistance to new forms of renewable energy) or neutral.
In the context of GRETA, we aim to improve understanding of the drivers, barriers and enablers of energy citizenship emergence. Findings will be utilized to inform and encourage policymakers to advocate energy citizenship supporting local and global decarbonization goals.
