A Behavioural Framework for Sustainable Energy and Carbon Reduction in Residential Buildings

Far, C; Far, H

A Behavioural Framework for Sustainable Energy and Carbon Reduction in Residential Buildings

Far, C Far, H

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Publisher:: MDPI AG
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Buildings, 2025, 16, (1), pp. 26-26
Issue Date:: 2025-12-20

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Far, C
dc.contributor.author	Far, H https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3480-6582
dc.date.accessioned	2026-01-05T20:47:27Z
dc.date.available	2026-01-05T20:47:27Z
dc.date.issued	2025-12-20
dc.identifier.citation	Buildings, 2025, 16, (1), pp. 26-26
dc.identifier.issn	2075-5309
dc.identifier.issn	2075-5309
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/191289
dc.description.abstract	Reducing energy demand and carbon emissions in residential buildings requires more than technological upgrades; it demands a nuanced understanding of occupant behaviour. Residential energy use is shaped by both physical design and human actions, yet behavioural factors remain underexplored, contributing to the energy performance gap. This study addresses this issue by developing and validating a behavioural framework grounded in the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to examine how attitudes, social norms, perceived control, and environmental awareness influence energy-related decisions. Data were collected through an online survey of 310 households in metropolitan Sydney and analysed using Stata v17 software employing principal component analysis and regression modelling. Results reveal that environmental awareness is the most significant predictor of pro-environmental intention, which strongly correlates with actual behavioural outcomes. While attitudes and perceived control were generally positive, subjective norms and awareness remained moderate, limiting behavioural change. The proposed framework demonstrates strong validity and reliability, offering a practical tool for policymakers, designers, and educators to integrate behavioural insights into sustainable building strategies. By prioritising awareness campaigns and normative interventions, stakeholders can complement technical retrofits with behavioural measures, accelerating progress towards low-carbon housing and benefiting both households and the broader community.
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	MDPI AG
dc.relation.ispartof	Buildings
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.3390/buildings16010026
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	1201 Architecture, 1202 Building, 1203 Design Practice and Management
dc.subject.classification	3301 Architecture
dc.subject.classification	3302 Building
dc.subject.classification	4005 Civil engineering
dc.title	A Behavioural Framework for Sustainable Energy and Carbon Reduction in Residential Buildings
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	16
utslib.for	1201 Architecture
utslib.for	1202 Building
utslib.for	1203 Design Practice and Management
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology/School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/UTS Groups
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/UTS Groups/Centre for Built Infrastructure Resilience (CBIR)
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	true
dc.rights.license	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.date.updated	2026-01-05T20:47:26Z
pubs.issue	1
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	16
utslib.citation.issue	1

Abstract:

Reducing energy demand and carbon emissions in residential buildings requires more than technological upgrades; it demands a nuanced understanding of occupant behaviour. Residential energy use is shaped by both physical design and human actions, yet behavioural factors remain underexplored, contributing to the energy performance gap. This study addresses this issue by developing and validating a behavioural framework grounded in the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to examine how attitudes, social norms, perceived control, and environmental awareness influence energy-related decisions. Data were collected through an online survey of 310 households in metropolitan Sydney and analysed using Stata v17 software employing principal component analysis and regression modelling. Results reveal that environmental awareness is the most significant predictor of pro-environmental intention, which strongly correlates with actual behavioural outcomes. While attitudes and perceived control were generally positive, subjective norms and awareness remained moderate, limiting behavioural change. The proposed framework demonstrates strong validity and reliability, offering a practical tool for policymakers, designers, and educators to integrate behavioural insights into sustainable building strategies. By prioritising awareness campaigns and normative interventions, stakeholders can complement technical retrofits with behavioural measures, accelerating progress towards low-carbon housing and benefiting both households and the broader community.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/191289