Non-Technical Barriers to Energy Efficient Renovation of Residential Buildings and Potential Policy Instruments to overcome Them—Evidence from Young Russian Adults

Abstract

Several scientific articles discuss non-technical barriers and policy instruments related to energy efficient building renovation. However, they are seldom systematically categorized and hardly ever related to Russian context even if Russian housing provides remarkable potential for energy-efficiency improvements. This paper identifies non-technical barriers to building energy renovations and potential policy instruments to overcome these barriers. The study was carried out by using the following methods: first, we mapped the barriers and policy instruments addressed in renovation-related studies. Following this step, we studied the importance of barriers and the feasibility of various policy instruments in and with a few selected Russian experts. The outcome of the interviews indicates that standards, information dissemination and awareness raising are the most efficient instruments to promote energy renovations of buildings in Russia. Both students and the interviewed Russian experts shared the view that the role of the Government is highly important regarding introduction of these instruments.