From Knowledge to Action - New Paths towards Sustainable Consumption

Despite considerable knowledge regarding the necessity of sustainable consumption patterns and a broad range of measures in the field of consumer information there cannot be recognized a general trend towards sustainable consumption within the society. Since 2008 the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research has been funding ten research projects focusing on this complex issue.

Sustainable consumption is a societal issue which has continually grown in importance on the political agenda in the last few years. The research programme "Social-ecological Research" aims at identifying and analysing the constraints that conflict this implementation of knowledge into action. Starting out with a view at consumer perspectives and activities the projects will generate orientation and transformation knowledge which can be used by different groups of actors and improve consumer competence. The projects are supposed to specify the expected sustainability benefits in the given fields of research thereby focusing on energy efficiency. A particular challenge poses the task to build a bridge between individual activities and ecological and social framework conditions. Additionally, gender sensitivity represents an important part of work in this field of research .

By embracing relevant stakeholders such as consumers, industry and the retail market, researchers integrate practical knowledge that is crucial for the work on life-world issues. Moreover, it gurantees that the gained transformation knowledge will finally corrrespond to the actual needs of the stakeholders. However, this does not mean that the researchers are responsible for the implementation of their results.

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  Reducing electricity consumption in private households (TRANSPOSE)

  Transfer of Electricity-saving Policies (TRANSPOSE) more (URL: http://www.sozial-oekologische-forschung.org/en/1291.php)
   
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  How internet trading benefits the environment

  From Consumer to Prosumer - Development of New Trading and Auction Cultures to Promote Sustainable Consumption more (URL: http://www.sozial-oekologische-forschung.org/en/1292.php)
   
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  A look at one's own energy consumption (Intelliekon)

  Using Intelligent Meter, Communications and Tariff Systems to Foster Sustainable Energy Consumption in Private Households (Intelliekon) more (URL: http://www.sozial-oekologische-forschung.org/en/1293.php)
   
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  Conserving energy in one's own home (Enef-Haus)

  Modernising Existing Single-family and Two-family Dwellings to Be More Energy-efficient - Activating and Empowering Homeowners (ENEF-Haus) more (URL: http://www.sozial-oekologische-forschung.org/en/1294.php)
   
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  Learning sustainability in school (BINK)

  Educational Institutions' Contribution to Fostering Sustainable Consumption among Youths and Young Adults more (URL: http://www.sozial-oekologische-forschung.org/en/1295.php)
   
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  Conveying energy information on a targeted basis

  Consuming Energy Sustainably - Consuming Sustainable Energy more (URL: http://www.sozial-oekologische-forschung.org/en/1296.php)
   
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  Changes in life - Opportunities for sustainability

  Life Events as Windows of Opportunity for Change towards Sustainable Consumption Patterns more (URL: http://www.sozial-oekologische-forschung.org/en/1297.php)
   
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  How private households decide on their energy mix (Seco@home)

  Social, Environmental and Economical Dimensions of Sustainable Energy Consumption in Residential Buildings (Seco@home) more (URL: http://www.sozial-oekologische-forschung.org/en/1298.php)
   
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  Incorporating potential customers into innovation work (User Integration)

  Fostering Sustainable Consumption by Integrating Users into Sustainability Innovations (User Integration) more (URL: http://www.sozial-oekologische-forschung.org/en/1299.php)
   
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  Universities as models for sustainability (Change)

  Changing Sustainability-relevant Routines in Organisations (Change) more (URL: http://www.sozial-oekologische-forschung.org/en/1300.php)
   
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  Focussing knowledge - Encouraging commitment - Facilitating mastery

  Accompanying research for the focal topic From Knowledge to Action - New Paths towards Sustainable Consumption  more (URL: http://www.sozial-oekologische-forschung.org/en/1461.php)