Diffusion Dynamics of Energy-Efficient Renovations

ThAccelerating the diffusion of energy-efficient renovations is a key policy lever in order to reduce theenvironmental impact of buildings. This book provides a broad, systemic perspective on the causes of thediffusion of energy-efficient renovations in Switzerland and policy recommendations for accelerating thediffusion process. Specifically, the book provides a description of the societal problem situation within whichthe diffusion process takes place and an analysis of the actors involved. It provides a detailed explanationof the causes of the diffusion process that synthesizes insights from the engineering, economics,marketing, sociology, communication studies and political science literature. It employs the SystemDynamics methodology to simulate the diffusion process and analyze policy levers. The book proposes tworegulations and a sketch of a business model as particularly promising public policy interventions.It concludes with an outline of a generic theory of the diffusion of sustainable technologies.