ABSTRACT
The chapter provides a sociological analysis of reasons for halting progress in energy efficiency policy for UK buildings. The account is based on ethnographic study of policymaking experiences of officials, government advisers and industry practitioners. The argument is that effective policy is hampered by contemporary political adherence to classical economic theory of efficient markets. Policy examples are the Energy Savings Obligation, Green Deal and EU Energy Performance of Buildings. Counter-efficiencies of using policy to make efficient markets, instead of using policy to create a macro-economic framework for zero carbon buildings by 2050, are discussed, and recommendations made for ways forward.
