Non-financial energy saving policies for households : a comparative analysis

Abstract

This thesis titled “Non-financial Energy Saving Policies for Austrian households. A Comparative Analysis” contains a comprehensive literature review, of clarifying the state of the art on the nature and definition of public policies as such. Secondly, it addresses the concept of energy saving policies for households and how they can be designed.Thirdly, it goes into more detail on what can be understood by non-monetary or nonfinancial energy saving policies and which methods have already been applied. Based on the literature research, a theoretical framework of nudging according to Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein is developed.In the empirical part, the energy saving campaigns for households of the D-A-CH countries (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) were comparatively analyzed and interpreted. Finally, conclusions are drawn by comparing the efforts of these countries and academic literature. Recommendations for possible future energy saving policies in Austria are made based on behavioral economics.