見える化がもたらす家庭における省エネの可能性: 三つの見える化

摘要

省エネルギーについて，日本は乾いた雑巾であるという表現を使うことがあるが，エネルギー消費を「ものづくり」と「日々のくらし」に分けた場合，「日々のくらし」のエネルギー削減ポテンシャルは高い。図1は製造業におけるエネルギー消費と生産指数を，図2は家庭部門におけるエネルギー消費と個人消費を示している。製造業においては石油危機後，生産活動が向上しているにも関わらずエネルギー消費はほとんど横ばいである。他方，家庭部門では消費活動とエネルギー消費がほほ連動して増えてきている。%The present article focuses on what is necessary and effective so as to maximize energy conservation in the household sector. The new concepts of visualization are proposed for a better understanding of behavior change mechanisms of interventions aiming to encourage households to reduce energy consumption. Visualization of energy consumption is classified into the following two types: "visualization of state quantity" and "visualization of change quantity." Interventions associated with the two types of visualization have different mechanisms of behavior changes. A thorough understanding of the difference helps design and implement effective interventions. Moreover, the importance of "visualization of structure" is also emphasized for promoting pro-environmental behavior. The interventions associated with the visualization of structure are believed to allow for encouraging moral norms which are an important determinant of pro-environmental behavior. Finally, the author stresses that an approach beyond behavioral interventions, that is, the evolution of energy systems is required for a true energy efficient society.