The research reported in this summary of findings identifies the financial and non-financial barriers that prevent lower income households from reducing their carbon consumption.
It focuses on four vulnerable groups – single-parent families, large families of five residents or more, young single persons, and older households aged 65 or older – who may be more susceptible to changes in energy costs, and hence their ability to implement adaptive behaviours in reducing carbon consumption.
In addition to identifying the financial and non-financial barriers lower income households face in reducing their carbon consumption, we explore the role of the non-profit sector in assisting lower income households who face energy hardship and/or are prevented from reducing their carbon consumption due to various barriers. The aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of assistance programs currently available, and provide suggestions for adjusting these programs where necessary in order to improve their access and outcomes.
RP3038 Research Report: Lower Income Barriers to Low Carbon Living - Summary of Focus Group and Survey Findings (980407 PDF)
Projects:
RP3038: Lower Income Barriers to Low Carbon Living