When Transitions Hit Home: Exploring the decarbonisation divide in domestic heating and cooling

In the Netherlands, the government is actively pushing for the phasing out of natural gas in the built environment. While this is a crucial step towards reducing carbon emissions, it has inadvertently highlighted significant disparities among households. Wealthier families can afford to retrofit their homes and invest in new technologies like heat pumps. In contrast, many low-income households reside in poorly insulated homes and lack the financial means to participate in the energy transition. This divide leads to unequal benefits, with vulnerable families struggling through cold winters and increasingly hot summers, often facing energy poverty, as they cannot afford essential heating or cooling. 

The concept of a “just transition" has gained momentum, emphasising that no one should be left behind as we move toward more sustainable energy systems. In response, the European Green Deal and national policies have introduced measures for retrofitting and energy poverty alleviation aimed at supporting vulnerable communities. Yet, these initiatives often fall short of addressing the real challenges faced by those at the margins, as most interventions still focus on individual homeowners. Local initiatives, such as energy cooperatives and community-led efforts in insulation and shared energy resources, are emerging as alternative models to ensure a more inclusive transition. 

My research explores the potential of community-based approaches to bridge this decarbonisation divide. By studying the lived experiences of households and the perceptions of policymakers in the cities of Heerlen and Maastricht, I examine how communities can take collective action. This includes local energy initiatives and direct participation in decision-making processes. The key question remains: Can these approaches overcome the current structural inequalities, or will the transition continue to widen the decarbonisation divide?

These questions were at the forefront of my discussions with fellow researchers at the International Geographical Congress, an event first organised in 1871. The congress brought together over 2,500 delegates from more than 80 countries to exchange ideas and shape the future of geographical research.

In Dublin, I presented part of my PhD research that places the current heating transition in a historical context. In my presentation, titled "Evolution & Application of the Neighbourhood Approach in Sustainability Transitions," I emphasised how studying past heating transitions provides valuable insights for addressing today's challenges in decarbonising domestic heating systems.

In the 1960s, countries like the Netherlands experienced a major shift from coal and traditional fuels to natural gas. This transition was driven by the discovery of large natural gas reserves in Groningen and framed as a modernist movement, bringing cleaner and more affordable energy to households. Between 1963 and 1968, around 80 percent of the Netherlands' 3 million households were retrofitted and connected to the gas network. Within a decade, energy infrastructures, policies, and household practices were transformed, leaving behind legacies that persist today.

In my presentation, I argued that this transition from the 1960s holds critical lessons for today's efforts to decarbonise heating. First, as some communities benefited more from the shift to gas—while others, like coal mining regions, suffered from the closure of mines and the resulting economic and social decline—today's decarbonisation efforts risk favouring wealthier households unless inclusivity and affordability are given priority. Second, success in transitions depends heavily on governance, from local to EU levels, as well as investments in both physical and social infrastructure, and meaningful community involvement. Lastly, the reliance on natural gas created long-term material and institutional dependencies, making it difficult to transition to alternative, low-carbon heating methods. Understanding these historical patterns helps us navigate similar structural challenges in today’s shift to renewable heating technologies.

 

My PhD supervisor, Professor René Kemp, also presented a historical perspective on the Dutch energy transition. His presentation focused on energy citizenship in the Netherlands, highlighting how this concept has evolved from protest movements in the 1970s to today's partnerships between citizens and institutions. His insights are part of the EnergyPROSPECTS project, funded by the EU Horizon 2020 programme, which explores the development of energy citizenship as a policy concept and sociotechnical imaginary. René also presented on behalf of Marianna Markantoni, formerly of Maastricht Sustainability Institute and now at the University of Groningen. Additional outputs from the EnergyPROSPECTS project were presented by international colleagues, showcasing the collaborative nature of this research effort.

I want to express my gratitude to MORSE for its support through the travel expenses grant and to the organisers of the International Geographical Congress for facilitating such a vibrant and insightful exchange of ideas. If you are interested in learning more about my research or exploring potential collaborations, please get into touch.