Knowledge on Climate Change and Energy Saving Renovations by Apartment Owner in Bulgaria and Lavia. A Qualitative Study
Knowledge on Climate Change and Energy Saving Renovations by Apartment Owner in Bulgaria and Lavia. A Qualitative Study
Author(s): Evita GARA, Françoise Bartiaux, Dobrina Vassileva, Līga OZOLIŅA, Véronique Gosselain, Grozdanka STAMOVASubject(s): Social Sciences
Published by: POLIROM & Universitatea Bucureşti - Dept. de Sociologie şi Asistenţă Socială
Keywords: Energy-related renovation; climate change; Bulgaria; Latvia; qualitative study
Summary/Abstract: Do apartment owners in Bulgaria and Latvia carry out energy-saving practices in their homes, and what are the justifications thereof? Do they relate these practices to climate change or to their environmental knowledge? These are the main questions investigated in this research. Data are drawn from a qualitative survey of dwellers’ renovation activities and the motivations thereof. Results indicate that the poor conditions of multi-apartment buildings and the feeling of being cold or uncomfortable are sufficient levers driving energy-related renovations in privately-owned apartments. Environmental concern is never expressed as a lever for undertaking renovation, either in Bulgaria or in Latvia and there exist some scepticism and misunderstanding concerning climate change.
Journal: International Review of Social Research
- Issue Year: 2011
- Issue No: 3
- Page Range: 133-154
- Page Count: 22
- Language: English