Determining Factors of Consumers’ Choice of Sport Utility Vehicles in an Isolated Energy System: How Can We Contribute to the Decarbonization of the Economy?

This paper analyses the profile of individuals who decide to purchase a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) in a medium-sized isolated island system such as Tenerife Island. To achieve this objective, we used a survey conducted in 2017 to identify the characteristics of the individuals most likely to choose an SUV or another type of vehicle or be undecided. Subsequently, a discrete choice model was estimated to assess the probability that an individual chooses one of the three options as a function of their socio-economic characteristics, mobility routines, vehicle attributes and psychosocial traits. The results show the need to adopt energy policy measures related to vehicle choice, as they put the fulfilment of the decarbonization objectives for the energy transition in the Canary Islands at risk. Firstly, the authorities should carry out campaigns to achieve a more environmentally conscious behaviour by highlighting the higher consumption and emission levels of this type of vehicle. Secondly, subsidies for more efficient new vehicles and taxation should promote the purchase of low-emission vehicles to compensate for the greater willingness to pay of SUV buyers. In particular, purchase taxation should be linked to emission levels rather than only considering power, engine characteristics or labelling.

Stakeholders’ Perceptions of the Possible Energy Sustainability Solutions in the Hotels of the Canary Islands

Energy production and consumption represent the most significant sources of CO2 emissions in the world. An isolated island scenario such as the case of the Canary Islands, where dependence on fossil fuels is almost complete needs an effective integrative strategy for energy efficiency in order to reduce the carbon footprint. The objective of our work is to propose an effective design for an integrative and sustainable energy transition strategy in the hotel sector of the Islands. To achieve this, we implement a qualitative/quantitative technique called Q methodology. Our study was conducted with a carefully selected group of 31 experts from diverse areas related to the energy sector who were asked to rank-order their degree of agreement or disagreement with 30 key energy discourses (statements). The results of our analysis identify four profiles of stakeholders’ mindsets: the “Low-carbon”, the “Techies”, the “Skeptics”, and the “Trusting”. A well-defined integrative strategy could be identified which includes self-consumption using renewable energies, simplification of the administrative procedures, and promotion of the use of heat pumps, among others. A further interesting consensus result among all four groups reveals experts’ uncertainty regarding the post-COVID-19 reality.