Positive tipping points for UK domestic heat decarbonisation: Bridging psychology and complexity science in agent-based models

Domestic heating accounts for a significant amount of carbon emissions, but it has been a difficult sector to decarbonise, partially because social barriers have not been adequately addressed.

This research will assess the psychological and behavioural factors that may support the rapid decarbonisation of domestic heating in the UK. I will focus on heat pump adoption and demand-side response (DSR), which is shifting energy use to off-peak times.

Agent-based models (ABMs) for heat pump adoption and DSR will be developed with industry partners to simulate how small-scale behaviours at the household level can enable large-scale decarbonisation of domestic heating.

This project will contribute to academic literature while having a tangible impact on UK climate targets by 1) exploring the differences between behaviours of one-time heat pump adoption and long-term DSR, and 2) developing tools to support stakeholders in designing inclusive social interventions for decarbonising domestic heating at scale.