Social diffusion of energy-related practices in two European areas: A way for reducing inequalities?

The social-class dimension of the research on energy consumption has been rather neglected relative to other theoretical approaches, despite its potential that has not been exploited in energy research and policy. This presentation aims at showing the relevance of social class as an analytical category for energy research and the usefulness of social diffusion theories, both vertical and horizontal diffusion, when analysing energy consumption in the residential sector and reflecting to paths for more sustainable energy use/ways of reducing socio-economic inequalities. Two countries with contrasted patterns of income inequalities, Belgium and Portugal, are compared to empirically ground the analysis. Qualitative data were collected in both countries in 2009-2011. Results are framed by the environmental-justice theory and its three dimensions: distributional injustice, procedural injustice, and lack of recognition. In the conclusion we discuss the relevance of integrating the social diffusion dimension in energy analysis and propose some policy instruments to do so.