Research report: Between representation and self-perception. What kind of energy citizenship in Italy?

Transition towards sustainable energy is largely recognised as one of the main challenges faced by the world today. ‘Low-carbon’, ‘zero-emissions’, ‘new-renewables’, ‘smartgrids’ are among the keywords often evoked in public discourses; however, less consensus has been reached on the role that citizens shall play in this ongoing transition. Shall they remain consumers or shall they become active producers? Shall they delegate to experts or shall they become more active and conscious? Aim of this short essay is to outline how the relationship between citizens and sustainable energy has been socially constructed in Italy: a country that saw a steady increase in the use of renewables and that is reaching in the 2020 targets in all the sectors involved (electric, thermal, and transport). First, we will sketch results from analyses of political discourse and communication strategies. Then, we will explore the ways in which citizens perceive themselves, and how different self-images affect social representations of sustainable energy and related practices. In the next sections, before we present our studies, critical issues on energy transition will be briefly introduced.