Getting warmed up: Challenges to participatory decarbonization of a local residential heating system in Poland

Abstract

This article describes the current and potential engagement of households in decarbonizing a residential heating system in Poland. Using the discussion on energy citizenship, we identified modes of householder engagement – material and discursive – in low-carbon energy transitions. Next, based on empirical data from a survey, desk research, interviews, and citizen workshops, we established enabling and hindering contextual factors for engagement and conducted a two-stage cluster analysis to identify six personas (householder types). We then examined each persona's current and potential engagement against the identified modes of engagement and contextual factors. Our findings indicate that, until recently, fossil fuels were an unquestioned heat source in Polish households. The shifting external environment, notably the energy crisis resulting from Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the changing regulatory framework, has stimulated increased household interest in low-carbon transition. However, one must recognize the householders’ varying approaches and values in the process.