AbstractsPhysics

Society’s unsustainable patterns of energy consumption mean that residential energy efficiency plays a significant role in building a more sustainable society. This research analyses the process that has shaped residential retrofit policies in New Zealand and Chile; the first, a developed country with a long history of residential energy efficiency; the second, a developing country that is in the first stages of the retrofit policy process. Different theoretical approaches to residential energy efficiency were used, specifically, approaches within economic and behavioural economics theory, such as barriers theory, the rebound effect theory and co-benefits theory. A particular emphasis was given to co-benefits theory. The research found that in both Chile and New Zealand the retrofit policy process depends on critical contextual factors (e.g. global oil shocks, global financial crisis, energy security issues, electricity sector reforms and climate change mitigation policy) which trigger a sense of political urgency to address these factors. Local entities and the academic world have also contributed to shape retrofit policies. The multiple co-benefits of residential retrofit lead to a more resilient policy when governments and political will change. In the future, the co-benefits of health, fuel-poverty, fuel affordability, energy security and thermal comfort are likely to provide resilience to retrofit policies in Chile and New Zealand.