Acceptance Challenges Six subject areas are key

The national and international legal frameworks set the limits with respect to the possibilities for sustainable energy production and activities for the promotion of environmentally friendly energy consumption. They also determine to a large extent in which environment acceptance needs to be achieved.

Cost-benefit considerations fundamentally influence the acceptance of changes to the status quo. Depending on the context, material advantages and disadvantages can, however, have impacts of varying magnitudes.

Attitudes towards factual issues are to a large extent dependent on both an individual’s established personal values and their current living situation.

Everyday behaviour is primarily determined by two factors that largely have an unconscious effect: social norms are automatically adopted by society and routines mechanically follow the same processes.

Knowledge is an important prerequisite for energy-efficient actions. However, knowledge alone isn’t enough.

In order for Switzerland’s energy consumption to be reduced on a sustainable basis, changes in behaviour are essential alongside technical measures. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to understand the mechanisms of behavioural change and identify the most effective levers.