Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Maryam keyghobadi ¹
• Mohsen Kouhbor ²
• Seyedeh Fatemeh Seyedmohsen ¹

¹ Faculty of Public Administration and Organizational Sciences, College of Management, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

² Faculty of Public Administration and Organizational Sciences, College of Management, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

The household sector, accounting for 28 percent of global energy consumption and 32 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, is a central focus of energy policy. While traditional policies have primarily emphasized technological interventions, evidence shows that reliance on such measures alone, without attention to behavioral and social dimensions, cannot ensure sustainable effectiveness. This study aims to develop a localized framework for behavioral policymaking in Iran’s residential energy sector, employing a mixed-method approach in two stages. First, a meta-synthesis of global experiences was conducted to identify patterns of behavioral interventions. Second, a survey of 594 Tehran residents aged 18 and above was carried out, with data analyzed using multivariate regression techniques.



The meta-synthesis revealed that information framing, feedback, and social norms are the most widely applied behavioral tools internationally. At the national level, however, lifestyle emerged as the strongest predictor of household energy consumption, while ethical-religious values and material culture also played a significant role.



Integrating these two strands of evidence led to the formulation of a four-layered framework: (1) socio-cultural foundations; (2) behavioral operational interventions; (3) institutional and technological support and (4) policy capacity-building.



This framework offers policymakers a practical roadmap for designing and implementing interventions that are both culturally resonant and technically sound, contributing to the sustainable management of residential energy consumption in Iran.

Keywords

• Behavioral Public Policy
• Behavioral Interventions and Insights in Energy
• Household Energy Consumption Management

Main Subjects

• The Economics of Technology, Energy and Sustainable Development