In this paper a recently developed framework designed to facilitate the expression, interpretation, and communication of imperfect quantitative information is adapted in order to elucidate the quality and significance of recently published measures of UK energy efficiency (MONERGY) need and performance. The analysis in the paper uncovers a considerable variability in the quality of the publicised measures; this in turn provides crucial pointers to the way they should be interpreted, and in some cases indicates ground for possible improvement.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
ACE, 1983Employment Generation Potential of a Major Conservation Programme report prepared by Environmental Resources Ltd; copy available from Association for the Conservation of Energy, 9 Sherlock Mews, London W1, England
2.
Audit Commission, 1985Saving Energy in Local Government Building a report–Energy Efficiency Office (HMSO, London)
3.
BradshawJHuttonSWarrenLSheldrickB, 1986, “Assessing the productivity of local energy conservation projects” WP-37, Social Policy Research Unit, University of York, York, YO1 5DD, England
BRE, 1975, “Energy conservation: A study of energy consumption in buildings and possible means of saving energy in housing”, CP-56-75, Building Research Establishment, Garston, Watford, England
6.
CooperI, 1981, “Energy conservation in Britain: Technical problem or social issue?”, Working Paper, The Martin Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 2EB, England
7.
DHSS, 1985Reform of Social Security: Programme for action Department of Health and Social Security, Cmnd 9691 (HMSO, London)
8.
DEn, 1986Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics 1986 Department of Energy (HMSO, London)
9.
EC, 1985Reports [1984–85] 8th Report from the Energy Committee The Energy Efficiency Office: Together with minutes of proceedings relating to the report and minutes of evidence–Energy Committee (HMSO, London)
10.
EC, 1986Reports [1985–86] 3rd Report from the Energy Committee: The government's response to the Committee's 8th report, session 1984–85, on the Energy Efficiency Office: Together with an appendix and minutes of proceedings relating to the report–Energy Committee (HMSO, London)
11.
EEO, 1983a, “Our crusade to save cash” press release IE, 31 October; copy available from Energy Efficiency Office, Thames House South, Millbank SW1, London, England
12.
EEO, 1983bA Guide to Home Heating Costs (4 volumes differentiated on a geographical basis); copy available from Energy Efficiency Office, Thames House South, Millbank SW1, London, England
13.
EEO, 1985a, “Get more from your Monergy” press release 61E, 30 September 1985; copy available from Energy Efficiency Office, Thames House South, Millbank SW1, London, England
14.
EEO, 1985bGrowth in Energy Management Survey copy available from Energy Efficiency Office, Thames House South, Millbank SW1, London, England
15.
EEO, 1985cCutting home heating costs (4 volumes differentiated by fuel); copy available from Energy Efficiency Office, Thames House South, Millbank SW1, London, England
16.
EEO, 1986Cutting home energy costs (4 volumes differentiated by fuel); copy available from Energy Efficiency Office, Thames House South, Millbank SW1, London, England
17.
FuntowiczSORavetzJR, 1986a, “Policy related research: A notational scheme for the expression of quantitative technical information”Journal of the Operational Research Society371–5
18.
FuntowiczSORavetzJR, 1986b, “The NUSAP notational system: Users' handbook”, report prepared for the World Resources Institute, 158 Western Road, Sheffield, England
19.
GellerESWinettREverettP, 1982Preserving the environment: New strategies for behavioural change (Pergamon Press, Elmsford, NY)
20.
HC, 1983House of Commons Parliamentary Debates-Session 1983–84 Official Reports [Hansard]. 6th Series, volume 51, December 19, column 42 (HMSO, London)
21.
HC, 1985House of Commons Parliamentary Debates–Session 1984–85 Official Reports [Hansard]. 6th Series, volume 92, April 1, column 890 (HMSO, London)
22.
HillmanM, 1984Conservation's Contribution to the UK's Self Sufficiency, Joint Energy Paper II (Heinemann Education Books, London)
23.
HillmanMBollardA, 1985, “Less fuel, more jobs”; copy available from Policy Studies Institute, 1 Castle Lane, London SW1, England
24.
LAMSAC, 1983, “A review of energy management in British local authorities”; copy available from Local Authority Management Services and Computer Services Advisory Committee, Vincent House, Vincent Square, London SW1, England
25.
LeachGLewisCRomigFVan BurenA, 1979, “Low energy strategies for the UK” (Science Reviews, Northwood, Middx)
26.
MacgillSMFuntowiczSO, 1987, “The ‘pedigree’ of radiation estimates: An exploratory analysis in the context of exposures of young people in Seascale as a result of Sellafield discharges” WP-483, School of Geography, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, England
27.
MonnierE, 1986Consumer behaviour and energy policy (Praeger, New York)
28.
NEA, 1985a, “Project work monitoring up to September 1985”; copy available from Neighbourhood Energy Action, 2-4 Bigg Market, Newcastle NE1 1UW, England
29.
NEA, 1985b, “Coming in from the cold”; copy available from Neighbourhood Energy Action, 2-4 Bigg Market, Newcastle NE1 1UW, England
30.
NEA, 1986, “Financing draught proofing measures for low income households”; copy available from Neighbourhood Energy Action, 2-4 Bigg Market, Newcastle NE1 1UW, England
31.
PA International Management Consultants Ltd, 1984, “External wall insulation applied to ‘Woolaway’ system homes”, final report, F-27-83-88; copy available from Building Research Energy Support Unit, Garston, Watford, England
32.
RavetzJRFuntowiczSOMacgillSM, 1987Technology Assessment: A framework for the expression and communication of critical indicators Proceedings of the International Congress on European Technology Assessment, Amsterdam, February; available S M Macgill, School of Geography, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, England
33.
Select Committee on Energy, 1982Reports [1981–82] 5 [Volumes 1 and 2]: Together with appendices and minutes of proceedings. Energy conservation in building. Volume 1. Report and minutes of proceedings. Volume 2. Appendices (HMSO, London)
34.
SheldrickB, 1983, “Energy conservation UK Government policy—up to mid-1982” WP-354, School of Geography, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, England
35.
SheldrickB, 1984, “Local authorities and energy saving”; copy available from Association for the Conservation of Energy, 9 Sherlock Mews, London W1, England
36.
SheldrickB, 1987a, “Hard to heat estates: Evaluating the benefits of heating and insulation improvements”Energy Policy15145–157
37.
SheldrickB, 1987b, “Paying for loft insulation and draught proofing: The Green Jobs Group Hardship Fund”; copy available from Bradford Green Jobs Group, c/o 29 Necropolis Road, Bradford, England
38.
SheldrickBMacgillSM, 1987, “Local energy conservation initiatives in the UK: Their nature and achievements”, WP-496, School of Geography, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, England
