Part of the Energy and Climate Seminar Series

Abstract

The building sector and the built environment are one of the largest contributors to energy use worldwide and reducing energy use in buildings is slow. Thus, low energy transition in connection to buildings is an enormous challenge. Yet, in Finland, improved energy efficiency has traditionally received less focus in climate policy strategies than renewable energy. Since 2007, energy efficiency policies addressing buildings have gained force on both strategy and instrument levels– largely following the EU Building Energy Efficiency Directive and the goals for reducing emissions by 80% by 2050. Sixteen new policy instruments have been added between 2007 and 2014 in addition to revisions made in the building code

In the seminar, I analyse the potential of the policy mix in Finland in promoting disruptive change for low energy transition in buildings. I explore to what extent recent policy developments could be described as having destabilised the regime. In addition to providing an overall picture of the policy mix in the sector, I investigate the existing policy mix especially from a stakeholder perspective, because the perceived impacts of policies may differ from their intended outcomes. Companies providing integrated energy services for renovated and newly built buildings are selected as the key stakeholder group, as they are more borderline actors in the sector dominated by construction companies.

Bio

Dr. Kivimaa is Senior Research Fellow at SPRU working for the Centre on Innovation and Energy Demand (CIED). Her previous research ranges from climate, energy and environmental policy analysis from the perspective of innovation to  examining change and stability in energy and transport systems. Her current research interests include policy analysis from low-carbon innovation and transition perspectives as well as policy complementing approaches to support low-carbon innovation, such as  intermediation. She has a BSc in Environmental Science & Business Management (University of Westminster, 1997-2000), an MSc  in Environmental Technology (Imperial College, 2001-2002) and a PhD in Organisations and Management (Helsinki School of Economics, 2004-2008). Prior to joining SPRU she has worked for 12 years as a researcher in the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE). She has since 2012 been Docent in the Department of Management and International Business at the Aalto University School of Business, Helsinki.