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Fuelling with Fire - A study on energy culture and wood fuel heating in Serbia

Belkin, Mark LU (2024) MIDM19 20241
Department of Human Geography
LUMID International Master programme in applied International Development and Management
Abstract
This thesis contributes to the literature on household energy usage by investigating wood fuel heating among households through the theoretical lens of the energy cultures framework, with Serbia as a case study. Air pollution levels in Serbia are among the highest in Europe, placing a heavy burden on the health of Serbian residents and causing environmental harm. Household heating represents a major pollution source. Based on qualitative semi-structured interviews with 13 Serbian households using wood heating, and three experts on energy matters in Serbia, I investigate the unique energy culture of the country, discuss push and pull factors for wood fuel heating and explore external influences that interact with energy cultures. Most... (More)
This thesis contributes to the literature on household energy usage by investigating wood fuel heating among households through the theoretical lens of the energy cultures framework, with Serbia as a case study. Air pollution levels in Serbia are among the highest in Europe, placing a heavy burden on the health of Serbian residents and causing environmental harm. Household heating represents a major pollution source. Based on qualitative semi-structured interviews with 13 Serbian households using wood heating, and three experts on energy matters in Serbia, I investigate the unique energy culture of the country, discuss push and pull factors for wood fuel heating and explore external influences that interact with energy cultures. Most interviewees were found to live in older, subpar-insulated homes relying primarily on decades-old wood stoves for heat. Despite the widespread availability of gas connections among the sample, there is only reserved interest in transitioning from wood heating. Key factors sustaining reliance on wood include the availability and affordability of wood from privately owned forests, deep emotional ties with wood heating, and a preference for energy independence. Current policy measures addressing wood heating are inadequate and require reform to support households in achieving cleaner and healthier heating. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Belkin, Mark LU
supervisor
organization
course
MIDM19 20241
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Energy Culture, Wood Fuel Heating, Serbia, Energy Transition, Pollution
language
English
id
9155558
date added to LUP
2024-07-24 11:14:32
date last changed
2024-07-24 11:14:32
@misc{9155558,
  abstract     = {{This thesis contributes to the literature on household energy usage by investigating wood fuel heating among households through the theoretical lens of the energy cultures framework, with Serbia as a case study. Air pollution levels in Serbia are among the highest in Europe, placing a heavy burden on the health of Serbian residents and causing environmental harm. Household heating represents a major pollution source. Based on qualitative semi-structured interviews with 13 Serbian households using wood heating, and three experts on energy matters in Serbia, I investigate the unique energy culture of the country, discuss push and pull factors for wood fuel heating and explore external influences that interact with energy cultures. Most interviewees were found to live in older, subpar-insulated homes relying primarily on decades-old wood stoves for heat. Despite the widespread availability of gas connections among the sample, there is only reserved interest in transitioning from wood heating. Key factors sustaining reliance on wood include the availability and affordability of wood from privately owned forests, deep emotional ties with wood heating, and a preference for energy independence. Current policy measures addressing wood heating are inadequate and require reform to support households in achieving cleaner and healthier heating.}},
  author       = {{Belkin, Mark}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Fuelling with Fire - A study on energy culture and wood fuel heating in Serbia}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}