• Energy Research

As oil prices increase, companies experience rising costs and falling profits, leaving governments to deal with the increasing interest rate, inflation and unemployment. However, on the consumer side, the key concern of increasing oil prices is their direct impact on the gasoline pump prices. Consequently, oil price rises have always been an important part of the public debate, especially in countries experiencing high prices for gasoline, such as Turkey. After decades of high prices, Turkey has the most expensive gasoline in the world, at 2.64 $s/litre as of Quarter 2 of 2013. The aim of this paper is to reveal which factors are most important in determining gasoline pump prices in Turkey. In addition, a comparison of the periods with different pricing regimes is presented in order to demonstrate the actual effects of policy changes imposed by the government. The results show that, rather than the market variables, retail pump prices are primarily determined by variables that are more of a macroeconomic nature. This conclusion suggests that these market variables are utilized by companies in the market as tools for regulating prices that can be perceived an informal automatic price regulation mechanism.

As oil prices increase, companies experience rising costs and falling profits, leaving governments to deal with the increasing interest rate, inflation and unemployment. However, on the consumer side, the key concern of increasing oil prices is their direct impact on the gasoline pump prices. Consequently, oil price rises have always been an important part of the public debate, especially in countries experiencing high prices for gasoline, such as Turkey. After decades of high prices, Turkey has the most expensive gasoline in the world, at 2.64 $s/litre as of Quarter 2 of 2013. The aim of this paper is to reveal which factors are most important in determining gasoline pump prices in Turkey. In addition, a comparison of the periods with different pricing regimes is presented in order to demonstrate the actual effects of policy changes imposed by the government. The results show that, rather than the market variables, retail pump prices are primarily determined by variables that are more of a macroeconomic nature. This conclusion suggests that these market variables are utilized by companies in the market as tools for regulating prices that can be perceived an informal automatic price regulation mechanism.

Energy transition is one of the main pillars of the European Union’s climate change strategy suite. The policies set forth by European Union members to support energy transition are transposed into national policies, strategies, and action plans. Energy transition calls for empowering citizens and communities regarding energy-related initiatives. Of particular importance are smart energy systems and their potential for involving individuals and communities in energy transition initiatives. However, not all citizens are willing to invest in renewable energy or smart appliances. Thus, there is a need for implementing smart energy initiatives, which have three main steps, namely, awareness, mindset (readiness for action), and action. Bearing in mind the lack of uniformity in this area across the European Union, this manuscript assesses the levels of awareness, mindset, and action utilizing the results of a comprehensive international survey, the ECHOES project, with respect to demographic and socioeconomic variables, such as age, income level, and education level. The analysis reveals that 58% of respondents from the West European sample demonstrate a high level of awareness, 56% are ready for action, and 63% already demonstrate action. The percentages are similar for the East European sample, with 56% demonstrating a high level of awareness, 55% are ready for action, and 66% already demonstrating action. Overall, women have higher levels of awareness, readiness for action, and action. For both Western and Eastern European countries, education level and income level are important factors for smart energy adoption, with education levels proving to be more significant for East European countries.

Energy transition is one of the main pillars of the European Union’s climate change strategy suite. The policies set forth by European Union members to support energy transition are transposed into national policies, strategies, and action plans. Energy transition calls for empowering citizens and communities regarding energy-related initiatives. Of particular importance are smart energy systems and their potential for involving individuals and communities in energy transition initiatives. However, not all citizens are willing to invest in renewable energy or smart appliances. Thus, there is a need for implementing smart energy initiatives, which have three main steps, namely, awareness, mindset (readiness for action), and action. Bearing in mind the lack of uniformity in this area across the European Union, this manuscript assesses the levels of awareness, mindset, and action utilizing the results of a comprehensive international survey, the ECHOES project, with respect to demographic and socioeconomic variables, such as age, income level, and education level. The analysis reveals that 58% of respondents from the West European sample demonstrate a high level of awareness, 56% are ready for action, and 63% already demonstrate action. The percentages are similar for the East European sample, with 56% demonstrating a high level of awareness, 55% are ready for action, and 66% already demonstrating action. Overall, women have higher levels of awareness, readiness for action, and action. For both Western and Eastern European countries, education level and income level are important factors for smart energy adoption, with education levels proving to be more significant for East European countries.

This study seeks to better understand the relationships between environmental citizenship, energy citizenship, and related phenomena and the theoretical development and operationalization processes of environmental citizenship and energy citizenship in the path towards the energy transition and climate change mitigation through a bibliometric analysis. Doing so first provides an overview of how these concepts are defined in the literature establishes the frameworks for environmental citizenship and energy citizenship, including the characteristics, drivers, and pathways to their operationalization. The subsequent bibliometric analysis is conducted via the VOSviewer software, with more than 1,300 titles from the Web of Science database published between 1992 and 2021. The search keywords are “environmental citizenship” and “energy citizenship”. The results from the analysis highlight the terms sustainability and behaviour as the overarching concepts and common points of discussion regarding environmental citizenship and energy citizenship. Moreover, although environmental citizenship preserves its central position in the scholarly debate, there is a shift towards the phenomenon of energy citizenship and a set of emerging themes including “justice”, “energy democracy”, and “sustainable development”.

This study seeks to better understand the relationships between environmental citizenship, energy citizenship, and related phenomena and the theoretical development and operationalization processes of environmental citizenship and energy citizenship in the path towards the energy transition and climate change mitigation through a bibliometric analysis. Doing so first provides an overview of how these concepts are defined in the literature establishes the frameworks for environmental citizenship and energy citizenship, including the characteristics, drivers, and pathways to their operationalization. The subsequent bibliometric analysis is conducted via the VOSviewer software, with more than 1,300 titles from the Web of Science database published between 1992 and 2021. The search keywords are “environmental citizenship” and “energy citizenship”. The results from the analysis highlight the terms sustainability and behaviour as the overarching concepts and common points of discussion regarding environmental citizenship and energy citizenship. Moreover, although environmental citizenship preserves its central position in the scholarly debate, there is a shift towards the phenomenon of energy citizenship and a set of emerging themes including “justice”, “energy democracy”, and “sustainable development”.

Recent developments in the Arctic region, mainly marked by climate change, have caused the region to receive increasing attention from regional and non-regional actors, mainly due to emerging energy-related opportunities and environmental concerns. The main reason for non-regional stakeholders to become involved in the Arctic region to pursue their interests is to obtain the observer status in the Arctic Council. Accordingly, this manuscript analyzes the long-term perspective of Türkiye’s involvement in the Arctic region as a non-regional actor and reveals a set of enablers and disablers pertaining to energy and environmental domains. For this purpose, in-depth interviews with experts from Türkiye, with Arctic Council members, or with observer countries are conducted. Results of the analysis are also utilized to provide insights regarding countries with similar profiles to Türkiye, i.e., middle-power and developing countries that are geographically distant from the Arctic region. The results highlight energy security, hydrocarbon reserves, and climate change as significant factors for countries such as Türkiye. Scientific, private sector, or intergovernmental cooperation with regional actors to encourage global action and environmental initiatives are the main enablers. Challenges in the extraction and sharing of energy resources, high costs and high technology requirements of energy exploration and extraction activities, increasing human activity, and damages to the Arctic ecosystem are identified as significant disablers.

Recent developments in the Arctic region, mainly marked by climate change, have caused the region to receive increasing attention from regional and non-regional actors, mainly due to emerging energy-related opportunities and environmental concerns. The main reason for non-regional stakeholders to become involved in the Arctic region to pursue their interests is to obtain the observer status in the Arctic Council. Accordingly, this manuscript analyzes the long-term perspective of Türkiye’s involvement in the Arctic region as a non-regional actor and reveals a set of enablers and disablers pertaining to energy and environmental domains. For this purpose, in-depth interviews with experts from Türkiye, with Arctic Council members, or with observer countries are conducted. Results of the analysis are also utilized to provide insights regarding countries with similar profiles to Türkiye, i.e., middle-power and developing countries that are geographically distant from the Arctic region. The results highlight energy security, hydrocarbon reserves, and climate change as significant factors for countries such as Türkiye. Scientific, private sector, or intergovernmental cooperation with regional actors to encourage global action and environmental initiatives are the main enablers. Challenges in the extraction and sharing of energy resources, high costs and high technology requirements of energy exploration and extraction activities, increasing human activity, and damages to the Arctic ecosystem are identified as significant disablers.

Este documento presenta los resultados de un estudio cualitativo que explora el papel de las unidades sociales formales en el proceso de transición energética sostenible. Se asumió como estudio de caso una pequeña comunidad en el noreste de Italia, en el contexto de un proyecto de investigación más amplio financiado por la UE destinado a comprender las dimensiones individuales y colectivas de las elecciones relacionadas con la energía. Partiendo de un marco general y un enfoque integrado para explicar las transiciones energéticas sostenibles propuestas por Steg et al. (2015), el objetivo principal de nuestro estudio fue identificar los factores psicológicos y sociales que motivaron a los actores clave a emprender un camino de autosuficiencia energética en el área de estudio de casos. Nuestros análisis tuvieron como objetivo comprender las dinámicas sociales, culturales y socioeconómicas en el proceso de transición energética de la comunidad. El estudio describió cómo estos factores contribuyeron a fomentar acciones de colaboración entre los responsables de la toma de decisiones públicas, las partes interesadas relevantes, la sociedad civil y los ciudadanos. Los resultados de un análisis de contenido cualitativo respaldado por ordenador utilizando el software MAXQDA ayudaron a arrojar luz sobre los mecanismos y dinámicas específicos que impulsan las elecciones de energía y el comportamiento relacionado con la energía entre la comunidad. Se discuten las implicaciones para las mejores prácticas y las implementaciones exitosas del proceso de transición energética en las pequeñas comunidades que surgen de este estudio de caso. Cet article présente les résultats d'une étude qualitative explorant le rôle des unités sociales formelles dans le processus de transition énergétique durable. Une petite communauté du nord-est de l'Italie a été retenue comme étude de cas, dans le cadre d'un projet de recherche plus large financé par l'UE visant à comprendre les dimensions individuelles et collectives des choix liés à l'énergie. Partant d'un cadre général et d'une approche intégrée pour expliquer les transitions énergétiques durables proposées par Steg et al. (2015), l'objectif principal de notre étude était d'identifier les facteurs psychologiques et sociaux qui ont motivé les acteurs clés à entreprendre une trajectoire d'autosuffisance énergétique dans le domaine de l'étude de cas. Nos analyses visaient à comprendre les dynamiques sociales, culturelles et socio-économiques dans le processus de transition énergétique de la communauté. L'étude a décrit comment ces facteurs ont contribué à favoriser des actions collaboratives entre les décideurs publics, les parties prenantes concernées, la société civile et les citoyens. Les résultats d'une analyse qualitative de contenu assistée par ordinateur à l'aide du logiciel MAXQDA ont permis de faire la lumière sur les mécanismes et les dynamiques spécifiques qui déterminent les choix énergétiques et les comportements liés à l'énergie au sein de la communauté. Les implications pour les meilleures pratiques et les mises en œuvre réussies du processus de transition énergétique dans les petites communautés émergeant de cette étude de cas sont discutées. This paper presents the results of a qualitative study exploring the role of formal social units in the sustainable energy transition process. A small community in North-east Italy was assumed as case study, in the context of a wider EU-funded research project aimed at understanding the individual and collective dimensions of energy-related choices. Starting from a general framework and integrated approach to explain sustainable energy transitions proposed by Steg et al. (2015), the main aim of our study was to identify the psychological and social factors that motivated the key actors to undertake an energy self-sufficiency path in the case-study area. Our analyses aimed at understanding the social, cultural, and socioeconomic dynamics in the energy transition process of the community. The study outlined how these factors contributed to foster collaborative actions between public decision makers, relevant stakeholders, civil society, and citizens. Results of a computer-supported qualitative content analysis using the software MAXQDA helped to shed light on the specific mechanisms and dynamics driving energy choices and energy-related behavior among the community. The implication for best practices and successful implementations of energy transition process in small communities emerging from this case study are discussed. تقدم هذه الورقة نتائج دراسة نوعية تستكشف دور الوحدات الاجتماعية الرسمية في عملية انتقال الطاقة المستدامة. تم افتراض مجتمع صغير في شمال شرق إيطاليا كدراسة حالة، في سياق مشروع بحثي أوسع يموله الاتحاد الأوروبي يهدف إلى فهم الأبعاد الفردية والجماعية للخيارات المتعلقة بالطاقة. بدءًا من إطار عام ونهج متكامل لشرح تحولات الطاقة المستدامة التي اقترحها ستيغ وآخرون. (2015)، كان الهدف الرئيسي من دراستنا هو تحديد العوامل النفسية والاجتماعية التي حفزت الجهات الفاعلة الرئيسية على اتباع مسار الاكتفاء الذاتي من الطاقة في مجال دراسة الحالة. تهدف تحليلاتنا إلى فهم الديناميات الاجتماعية والثقافية والاجتماعية والاقتصادية في عملية انتقال الطاقة في المجتمع. أوضحت الدراسة كيف ساهمت هذه العوامل في تعزيز الإجراءات التعاونية بين صانعي القرار العامين وأصحاب المصلحة المعنيين والمجتمع المدني والمواطنين. ساعدت نتائج تحليل المحتوى النوعي المدعوم بالكمبيوتر باستخدام برنامج MAXQDA في تسليط الضوء على الآليات والديناميكيات المحددة التي تقود خيارات الطاقة والسلوك المتعلق بالطاقة بين المجتمع. تتم مناقشة الآثار المترتبة على أفضل الممارسات والتطبيقات الناجحة لعملية انتقال الطاقة في المجتمعات الصغيرة الناشئة عن دراسة الحالة هذه.

Este documento presenta los resultados de un estudio cualitativo que explora el papel de las unidades sociales formales en el proceso de transición energética sostenible. Se asumió como estudio de caso una pequeña comunidad en el noreste de Italia, en el contexto de un proyecto de investigación más amplio financiado por la UE destinado a comprender las dimensiones individuales y colectivas de las elecciones relacionadas con la energía. Partiendo de un marco general y un enfoque integrado para explicar las transiciones energéticas sostenibles propuestas por Steg et al. (2015), el objetivo principal de nuestro estudio fue identificar los factores psicológicos y sociales que motivaron a los actores clave a emprender un camino de autosuficiencia energética en el área de estudio de casos. Nuestros análisis tuvieron como objetivo comprender las dinámicas sociales, culturales y socioeconómicas en el proceso de transición energética de la comunidad. El estudio describió cómo estos factores contribuyeron a fomentar acciones de colaboración entre los responsables de la toma de decisiones públicas, las partes interesadas relevantes, la sociedad civil y los ciudadanos. Los resultados de un análisis de contenido cualitativo respaldado por ordenador utilizando el software MAXQDA ayudaron a arrojar luz sobre los mecanismos y dinámicas específicos que impulsan las elecciones de energía y el comportamiento relacionado con la energía entre la comunidad. Se discuten las implicaciones para las mejores prácticas y las implementaciones exitosas del proceso de transición energética en las pequeñas comunidades que surgen de este estudio de caso. Cet article présente les résultats d'une étude qualitative explorant le rôle des unités sociales formelles dans le processus de transition énergétique durable. Une petite communauté du nord-est de l'Italie a été retenue comme étude de cas, dans le cadre d'un projet de recherche plus large financé par l'UE visant à comprendre les dimensions individuelles et collectives des choix liés à l'énergie. Partant d'un cadre général et d'une approche intégrée pour expliquer les transitions énergétiques durables proposées par Steg et al. (2015), l'objectif principal de notre étude était d'identifier les facteurs psychologiques et sociaux qui ont motivé les acteurs clés à entreprendre une trajectoire d'autosuffisance énergétique dans le domaine de l'étude de cas. Nos analyses visaient à comprendre les dynamiques sociales, culturelles et socio-économiques dans le processus de transition énergétique de la communauté. L'étude a décrit comment ces facteurs ont contribué à favoriser des actions collaboratives entre les décideurs publics, les parties prenantes concernées, la société civile et les citoyens. Les résultats d'une analyse qualitative de contenu assistée par ordinateur à l'aide du logiciel MAXQDA ont permis de faire la lumière sur les mécanismes et les dynamiques spécifiques qui déterminent les choix énergétiques et les comportements liés à l'énergie au sein de la communauté. Les implications pour les meilleures pratiques et les mises en œuvre réussies du processus de transition énergétique dans les petites communautés émergeant de cette étude de cas sont discutées. This paper presents the results of a qualitative study exploring the role of formal social units in the sustainable energy transition process. A small community in North-east Italy was assumed as case study, in the context of a wider EU-funded research project aimed at understanding the individual and collective dimensions of energy-related choices. Starting from a general framework and integrated approach to explain sustainable energy transitions proposed by Steg et al. (2015), the main aim of our study was to identify the psychological and social factors that motivated the key actors to undertake an energy self-sufficiency path in the case-study area. Our analyses aimed at understanding the social, cultural, and socioeconomic dynamics in the energy transition process of the community. The study outlined how these factors contributed to foster collaborative actions between public decision makers, relevant stakeholders, civil society, and citizens. Results of a computer-supported qualitative content analysis using the software MAXQDA helped to shed light on the specific mechanisms and dynamics driving energy choices and energy-related behavior among the community. The implication for best practices and successful implementations of energy transition process in small communities emerging from this case study are discussed. تقدم هذه الورقة نتائج دراسة نوعية تستكشف دور الوحدات الاجتماعية الرسمية في عملية انتقال الطاقة المستدامة. تم افتراض مجتمع صغير في شمال شرق إيطاليا كدراسة حالة، في سياق مشروع بحثي أوسع يموله الاتحاد الأوروبي يهدف إلى فهم الأبعاد الفردية والجماعية للخيارات المتعلقة بالطاقة. بدءًا من إطار عام ونهج متكامل لشرح تحولات الطاقة المستدامة التي اقترحها ستيغ وآخرون. (2015)، كان الهدف الرئيسي من دراستنا هو تحديد العوامل النفسية والاجتماعية التي حفزت الجهات الفاعلة الرئيسية على اتباع مسار الاكتفاء الذاتي من الطاقة في مجال دراسة الحالة. تهدف تحليلاتنا إلى فهم الديناميات الاجتماعية والثقافية والاجتماعية والاقتصادية في عملية انتقال الطاقة في المجتمع. أوضحت الدراسة كيف ساهمت هذه العوامل في تعزيز الإجراءات التعاونية بين صانعي القرار العامين وأصحاب المصلحة المعنيين والمجتمع المدني والمواطنين. ساعدت نتائج تحليل المحتوى النوعي المدعوم بالكمبيوتر باستخدام برنامج MAXQDA في تسليط الضوء على الآليات والديناميكيات المحددة التي تقود خيارات الطاقة والسلوك المتعلق بالطاقة بين المجتمع. تتم مناقشة الآثار المترتبة على أفضل الممارسات والتطبيقات الناجحة لعملية انتقال الطاقة في المجتمعات الصغيرة الناشئة عن دراسة الحالة هذه.