« Sobriétés » (2010-2013) : une recherche interdisciplinaire sur l’institutionnalisation de politiques locales de sobriété énergétique

Abstract

The "Sobriétés" program (2010-2013) initiated an interdisciplinary research work focusing on the potential institutionalisation of local energy "sobriety" policies in Nord-Pas-de-Calais (northern France). It contributed to structuring a network of regional actors - from scientific, NGO's and institutional fields - all involved in a process of integrating the global peak oil hypothesis into their discourses and practices. This process has led to reconsider regional energy policies under a new light, in particular the energy demand reduction programmes and the search for an equitable sharing of energy resources. The energy "sobriety" approach, understood as a voluntary and equitable reduction mechanism for energy consumption, brings forward innovative responses to social and ecological issues.