OEH’s Sustainability Programs Branch was seeking to gain a better understanding of the factors and influences on energy efficiency decisions and behaviour of key energy end user groups – NSW Government Agencies, Businesses, Households and intermediaries from the period 2013 to the end of 2016. Behaviours around energy consumption are complex being influenced by many intrinsic and extrinsic social, attitudinal, environmental and economic factors at the individual and global scale. It is important to gain an understanding of these factors in order to develop and deliver effective energy efficiency programs and policy in NSW.
Evidentiary undertook a rigorous evidence based review of international literature on behaviors and motivations towards energy efficiency and conducted semi formal interviews with leading agency experts in energy efficiency policy and programs. A set of cause-effect models were developed for each key energy user group and evidence was used to build and support the models. A timeline of key national and international events that have influenced energy consumption behaviours was developed for the period 2013 - 2017.
Findings from this project were used to underpin a formal evaluation of the NSW Energy Efficiency Action Plan (EEAP), by providing insight into what other factors (e.g. events, other government regulation or programs, private sector initiatives) may have affected observed changes in energy efficiency markets and practices in NSW. Findings were also used to guide future program design and delivery