Acceptance. Thematic synthesis of the energy turnaround (NRP 70) and managing energy consumption (NRP 71) National Research Programmes

On balance, the results of the NRP Energy studies show that the people of Switzerland have a fundamentally positive attitude towards a transformation of the energy system. However, if the focus is placed on more concrete issues such as specific technologies, projects or personal behaviour it is no longer clear that the necessary level of acceptance is forthcoming. Instead, acceptance needs to be established with targeted measures. These include the provision of credible and transparent information as a basis for all other actions. Building on this, the population and economy need to be able to recognise the overall advantages as well as the individual benefits. Greatest success is promised by approaches that focus on people's local and personal environment including specific examples that work in a way they can understand and relate to. These key messages from the NRP Energy acceptance studies all have a common denominator: acceptance is not least a matter of trust