Empirical Study on Energy Saving Policies in an Aging Society

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K20510
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 64060:Environmental policy and social systems-related
• Research Institution: Takasaki City University of Economics
• Principal Investigator: Morita Minoru 高崎経済大学, 地域政策学部, 准教授 (10756977)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 高齢世帯 / エネルギー消費量 / 省エネルギー / アンケート調査

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study is to determine the actual status of energy consumption and energy conservation efforts among elderly households. In this study, a questionnaire survey was conducted on elderly households with heads of households ranging in age from 60-75 years old. Using the data obtained from the survey, we first confirmed the actual status of energy consumption among elderly households. As a result, we confirmed that they are highly dependent on electricity. Furthermore, it was found that households contracting with new electric power companies used less energy than those contracting with the former general electric power companies. Next, the results showed that economic incentives were important as incentives for energy conservation efforts, and non-price factors were low. It should be noted, however, that these results do not indicate a causal relationship.

Free Research Field

経済学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

高齢世帯では電気への依存度が高い。既存研究では、高齢化により一部の財・サービスへの需要は減少するが、電気を含むエネルギーへの需要は逆に増加する傾向にあることが指摘されている。気候変動対策の強化によって、今後、高齢世帯では節電といった省エネルギー化促進が強く求められ、経済的負担や快適性の喪失といった影響が高まることが予想される。
高齢世帯での快適性など生活の質をできるだけ落とさずにエネルギー消費量を減らすには、どのような取組みが必要かを模索し実施していくことが、今後の日本におけるエネルギー問題の一つと考えられ、本研究での示された結果は基礎情報を提供するものといえる。