The research group on sustainable consumption addresses a wide range of interdisciplinary research topics related to societal and individual consumption patterns. Specific emphasis is put on consumption areas with large greenhouse gas emission (GHG), including air travel, car use and food habits but the research also covers aspects related to the overall volume and composition of household expenditures. Examples of studies:
- Determinants of energy use and greenhouse gas emissions from private consumption (including economic, socio-demographic, physical/spatial and motivational determinants).
- Rebound effects technical energy efficiency improvements and consumption choices.
- The role of time use for consumption and emissions.
- The relationship consumption patterns and quality of life indicators.
- Policy innovation for sustainable consumption, including analyses of public support for new policies.
An open approach to the formulation of relevant and interesting research questions is applied, with the subsequent large variation in choice of methods. The research group is interdisciplinary including researchers with both a social science and engineering background. Currently the main research project is “Mistra Sustainable Consumption”, which is a large programme with collaborations with several other universities and societal partners.
Senior researchers:
Jonas Nässen, Jörgen Larsson
Key Publications:
Nässén, J., & Larsson, J. (2015). Would shorter working time reduce greenhouse gas emissions? An analysis of time use and consumption in Swedish households. Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy, 33(4), 726-745. https://doi.org/10.1068/c12239
Nässén, J., Andersson, D., Larsson, J., & Holmberg, J. (2015). Explaining the variation in greenhouse gas emissions between households: Socioeconomic, motivational, and physical factors. Journal of industrial ecology, 19(3), 480-489.
https://doi.org/10.1111/jiec.12168
Andersson, D., Nässén, J., Larsson, J., & Holmberg, J. (2014). Greenhouse gas emissions and subjective well-being: An analysis of Swedish households. Ecological economics, 102, 75-82.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2014.03.018