Developing Students' Energy Literacy in Higher Education.

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate students’ energy literacy at a UK university, and recommends ways in which it can be enhanced using a behaviour change model. Developing students’ energy literacy is a key part of the “greening” agenda, yet little is known about how students develop their ideas about energy use and energy saving at a university. Design/methodology/approach – The research utilised a mixed-methods approach including an online survey (with 1,136 responses) and focus groups. Findings – The research identified strengths and weaknesses in students’ energy literacy, and noted the relative influence of formal and informal curricula. The potential for aligning these curricula is highlighted through the 4Es model of enable, engage, exemplify and encourage. Research limitations/implications – The research involved a single instrumental case-study site. The wider applicability of the findings should therefore be tested further in other institutions. Practical implications – The research sugges...