Sustainable Urban Energy Policy debates the major public issue of developing a sustainable, clean and affordable energy system by adopting a distinctive focus on heating in cities. In this way, the book constructs an original account of clean energy policy, politics and provision, grounded in new empirical data derived from case studies of urban and multi-level governance of sustainable heat and energy saving in the UK and Europe. Offering an original conceptual framework, this study builds on socio-technical studies, economic and urban sociology, human geography, applied economics and policy studies in order to understand energy governance and systemic change in energy provisions.

Part 1: Overview 1. Introduction 2. Social studies of technology, energy systems and modern societies Part 2: Policy and Politics for Sustainable Heat 3. European heat policies and practices 4. From optimisation to diversity: Changing scenarios of heating for buildings in the UK 5. Implementation of district heating policy in the UK Part 3: Cities and Urban Centres: Resources, Expertise and Sustainability Challenges 6. Business Models for District Heating Networks: Economics, Finance and Risk 7. Urban Energy Governance for Sustainable Heat in UK cities: expectations, practices and potential 8. Assessing Local Government Engagement in Energy Systems Development in the UK and its Likely Trajectories Part 4: Affordable and Sustainable Warmth for Housing 9. Paying for energy - understandings of home, well-being and affordable warmth 10. The surprising outcomes of UK energy and climate policy: zero carbon housing targets and the emerging opportunities for district heating Part 5: Conclusion 11. Solutions? Cities and carbon innovation - coordination for sustainable heat