Unveiling the Power of Connections: Social Cohesion and its Role in Accelerating the Dutch Energy Transition

Abstract

The Dutch government has set an ambitious target to make 7 million homes free from natural gas by 2050. However, to realize the goal Dutch municipalities rely on the cooperation of homeowners. Despite implementing financial policies and a generally positive attitude towards the green transition, only a fraction of homeowners commits to the necessary changes annually. This study investigates the role of social cohesion in bridging the gap between attitudes and actions.

Building upon Schiefer and van der Noll's (2016) framework of social cohesion, this study examines the impact of social networks, trust, social capital, attachment/belonging, and social norms on sustainable action. Statistical analysis was conducted using data from 2342 homeowners in Utrecht and Zeist, allowing a comprehensive examination of these factors.

Our findings demonstrate that when homeowners know a neighbor who has already made their home energy-efficient, the likelihood of their own adoption significantly increases. This "Spreading Effect" is discussed and followed by a proposed strategy to harness and leverage the effect for promoting the energy transition.