Applying an interdisciplinary perspective on industrial energy efficiency

The aim of this article is to combine engineering- and social-science-approaches in order to enhance the understanding of energy efficiency in industry and enable a widened perspective of policy making in Europe. Can a new mutual (interdisciplinary) perspective addressing new questions contribute to increased energy efficiency in European industry? It is important to approach barriers or hindrances from another perspective, using non-traditional analytical tools that can contribute new understandings or questions of why a particular barrier is perceived as important in a company. To analyze a company's energy culture, that is to understand the context in which energy-efficiency goals and measures are discussed, is important to be able to take energy efficiency a step further in industry. In this paper we have shown that the very perception of a barrier may be a barrier itself to the implementation of cost-effective energy efficiency measures in industry. For example, if it is argued that all barriers fit into the category of non-market failure barriers, this may lead to the non-adoption of policies towards these types of barriers. The perception of barriers, as outlined by social science researchers, may thus not be neglected and should be further emphasized in the future work of aiming towards a more energy efficient economy.