Socioeconomic research on energy efficiency Specific Challenge: Energy efficiency is playing a growing role in local, national and European policy development. It is a complex issue spanning different disciplines like engineering and social sciences. To formulate long-term strategies and define cost-effective policies, policy makers need to better understand the macroeconomic impacts of energy efficiency, and, at the microeconomic level, the evolution of energy (and where appropriate exergy[1]) efficiency, the influence of consumer behaviour, the influence of institutional factors, and the implications of trends in society and technologies.. Scope:Foresight socio-economic activities informing the debate on the development and monitoring of energy efficiency strategies, taking a forward looking approach to the horizon 2030 and beyond. Proposals may also research the multiple benefits of energy efficiency or look at the evolution of social, economic, cultural and educational barriers. They may also study major trends in society and their implications, or advance knowledge of consumer behaviour (e.g. rebound effect) and the impact of institutional factors. They can either adopt a cross-sectorial approach or be specific to certain relevant sectors. Proposals may feed the development of energy efficiency strategies, policies and programmes at all governance levels. Where appropriate, they should take gender issues into account as well as existing macroeconomic and microeconomic models and results of socio-economic sciences and humanities. A specific priority will be given to the development of micro-economic analysis of the updated energy efficiency measures.The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU of around EUR 1 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.Expected impact: Positive impact on energy efficiency policy development, evidenced for instance by their reference into impact assessments, strategy papers or other policy documents. Type of action: Research & Innovation Actions [1] Exergy is the valuable part of energy which can be converted into useful work.
