Energy Sufficiency and Recognition Justice

A Study of Household Consumption

Alice Guilbert, PhD research and teaching assistant at the GEDT, recently published a peer-reviewed article in Building and Cities.

Switzerland's 2022–23 energy crisis highlighted the importance of integrating energy sufficiency alongside efficiency in policies. However, energy reduction efforts were often uneven, with vulnerable groups — such as lower-income households and tenants — feeling marginalized and powerless. The article argues that to improve sufficiency measures, policies must avoid misrecognition of vulnerabilities, limited agency and blindness to responsibilities – hence accounting for infrastructural and socio-economic differences. It also emphasizes the crucial role of all voices, ensuring that everyone is included and valued in decision-making processes.

The article is available for open access at this link.