Towards sustainable consumption: Economic modelling of mobility and heating for Austria

The paper focuses on economic modelling and empirical analysis of sustainable structures in private consumption and strives to extend conventional economic consumption models. The model analysis of sustainable consumption in the areas heating and transport for Austria attempts to depart from traditional measurement of consumption in national accounts and economic consumption models. The focus of the analysis is laid on consumer services derived from a combination of stocks (e.g. building stock, transport systems) and flows (mainly energy). This approach intends to illustrate that a concentration on flows in consumption models lacks important aspects of sustainable consumption.The economic analysis of sustainable consumption patterns aims to highlight the effects related to the substitution of flows by stocks in the consumption areas transport and heating (e.g. improvements in thermal quality of buildings, more energy efficient transport systems). Relevant too, in this respect, is the role that can be played by technological innovation (improvements in energy efficiency of stocks, the potential for specific incentives to promote new technologies). Two essential factors are crucial in the context of sustainable consumption: the demand shifts concerning the consumer services desired and the composition of the stock-flow mix necessary for the service provision.