Advances in the social construction of energy management and energy efficiency in industry
Patrik Thollander, Mariana Andrei, Noor Jalo, Patrik Rohdin, Jenny Palm, Anna Sannö, Johan Colding, Stephan Barthel, Gazi Salah Uddin, Bruna Maria Xavier
Abstract
Energy efficiency is essential for climate change mitigation. Energy management, shaped by both technical artefacts and social constructions, can overcome barriers and achieve greater emission reductions than technology-focused approaches alone. Nine social constructions of energy management emphasize the need for a broader view that includes operations, processes, and knowledge creation and diffusion. By adopting these strategies, corporations and policymakers can substantially reduce industrial energy use and emissions. We estimate that effective energy management policies and voluntary initiatives could cut at least 5% of global industrial fossil CO2 emissions. Effective energy management is key to cutting emissions, surpassing technology-focused solutions alone. Integrating technical and social strategies enhances efficiency, with nine social constructions shaping operations, processes, and knowledge. Broad adoption could reduce global industrial CO2 emissions by at least 5%.