Abstract
The influence of context dynamics in the course of the climate change mitigation policy instruments’ (PIs) deployment cycle, usually causes a need for policy adaptation mechanisms to ensure that policies can meet the sector needs efficiently and effectively. In this paper, we argue that important contextual factors are the ones that are perceived to have a great impact over policy effectiveness by key related actors. By examining more thoroughly those effects over PIs, as perceived by policy and market actors, useful feedback on observed policy adaptations can be highlighted. In this context, the aim of this paper is to present a conceptual framework which seeks to investigate the impact of key external factors on policy decision-making. This framework is then applied to policies intended to foster sustainability in the Greek building sector. Contextual parameters that are influential over the effectiveness of the national energy conservation measures are identified through a stakeholder survey. Cluster analysis is then employed for the elicitation of three distinct decision-making priorities’ scenarios. General macroeconomic trends, energy costs, characteristics of the building sector and socio-institutional factors are prioritized differently from various types of actors and induce certain types of PI changes. Distinguishing among the different types of PI change can help explain better under which contextual circumstances policy adaptations occur and provide guidance to other policy makers when found in similar decisional contexts.
Highlights
Countries around the globe adopt a wide range of policy instruments (PIs) to support climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies
This paper presents a conceptual framework that aims at looking into the influence of key exogenous factors along the process of policy decision-making
The conceptual framework is, applied to a case study involving policy instruments employed to energy conservation in the Greek building sector
Summary
Countries around the globe adopt a wide range of policy instruments (PIs) to support climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. Considering the influence of context dynamics in the course of policy instruments’ deployment cycle, policy adaptation mechanisms should be in place to ensure that support measures are able to meet the sector needs, effectively and efficiently. Dynamic trends, such as changes in the prices of electricity and natural gas, can significantly alter the effectiveness of support instruments, inducing the need for their re-evaluation [1]. Focusing on the transition to sustainable buildings, the International Energy Agency [6] recognizes that different countries encounter different challenges for the reduction of energy consumption in Energies 2016, 9, 294; doi:10.3390/en9040294 www.mdpi.com/journal/energies
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have