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Energy demand reduction options for meeting national zero-emission targets in the United Kingdom

Author

Listed:
  • John Barrett

    (University of Oxford
    University of Leeds)

  • Steve Pye

    (University of Oxford
    University College London)

  • Sam Betts-Davies

    (University of Oxford
    University of Leeds)

  • Oliver Broad

    (University College London)

  • James Price

    (University College London)

  • Nick Eyre

    (University of Oxford)

  • Jillian Anable

    (University of Oxford
    University of Leeds)

  • Christian Brand

    (University of Oxford
    University of Oxford)

  • George Bennett

    (University of Oxford
    University College London)

  • Rachel Carr-Whitworth

    (University of Oxford
    University of Leeds)

  • Alice Garvey

    (University of Leeds)

  • Jannik Giesekam

    (University of Oxford
    University of Strathclyde)

  • Greg Marsden

    (University of Oxford
    University of Leeds)

  • Jonathan Norman

    (University of Oxford
    University of Leeds)

  • Tadj Oreszczyn

    (University of Oxford
    University College London)

  • Paul Ruyssevelt

    (University College London)

  • Kate Scott

    (University of Manchester)

Abstract

In recent years, global studies have attempted to understand the contribution that energy demand reduction could make to climate mitigation efforts. Here we develop a bottom-up, whole-system framework that comprehensively estimates the potential for energy demand reduction at a country level. Replicable for other countries, our framework is applied to the case of the United Kingdom where we find that reductions in energy demand of 52% by 2050 compared with 2020 levels are possible without compromising on citizens’ quality of life. This translates to annual energy demands of 40 GJ per person, compared with the current Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development average of 116 GJ and the global average of 55 GJ. Our findings show that energy demand reduction can reduce reliance on high-risk carbon dioxide removal technologies, has moderate investment requirements and allows space for ratcheting up climate ambition. We conclude that national climate policy should increasingly develop and integrate energy demand reduction measures.

Suggested Citation

  • John Barrett & Steve Pye & Sam Betts-Davies & Oliver Broad & James Price & Nick Eyre & Jillian Anable & Christian Brand & George Bennett & Rachel Carr-Whitworth & Alice Garvey & Jannik Giesekam & Greg, 2022. "Energy demand reduction options for meeting national zero-emission targets in the United Kingdom," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 7(8), pages 726-735, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natene:v:7:y:2022:i:8:d:10.1038_s41560-022-01057-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41560-022-01057-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xu, Deyi & Abbas, Shah & Rafique, Kalsoom & Ali, Najabat, 2023. "The race to net-zero emissions: Can green technological innovation and environmental regulation be the potential pathway to net-zero emissions?," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    2. Liu, Xinyao & Bierkens, Floris & De Mel, Ishanki & Leach, Matthew & Short, Michael & Chitnis, Mona & Zheng, Boyue & Liu, Lirong, 2024. "Tackling fuel poverty and decarbonisation in a distributed heating system through a three-layer whole system approach," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 362(C).
    3. Liang, Yanan & Kleijn, René & van der Voet, Ester, 2023. "Increase in demand for critical materials under IEA Net-Zero emission by 2050 scenario," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 346(C).
    4. Milena Büchs & Noel Cass & Caroline Mullen & Karen Lucas & Diana Ivanova, 2023. "Emissions savings from equitable energy demand reduction," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 8(7), pages 758-769, July.
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    6. Aramendia, Emmanuel & Brockway, Paul E. & Taylor, Peter G. & Norman, Jonathan B., 2024. "Exploring the effects of mineral depletion on renewable energy technologies net energy returns," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 290(C).
    7. Johnson, Elliott & Betts-Davies, Sam & Barrett, John, 2023. "Comparative analysis of UK net-zero scenarios: The role of energy demand reduction," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    8. Zhang, Hongji & Ding, Tao & Sun, Yuge & Huang, Yuhan & He, Yuankang & Huang, Can & Li, Fangxing & Xue, Chen & Sun, Xiaoqiang, 2023. "How does load-side re-electrification help carbon neutrality in energy systems: Cost competitiveness analysis and life-cycle deduction," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    9. Yan, Xiang & Xin, Boqing & Cheng, Changgao & Han, Zhiyong, 2024. "Unpacking energy consumption in China's urbanization: Industry development, population growth, and spatial expansion," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 70(PA).
    10. Hickel, Jason & Sullivan, Dylan, 2024. "How much growth is required to achieve good lives for all? Insights from needs-based analysis," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 35(C).
    11. Frauke Wiese & Nicolas Taillard & Emile Balembois & Benjamin Best & Stephane Bourgeois & José Campos & Luisa Cordroch & Mathilde Djelali & Alexandre Gabert & Adrien Jacob & Elliott Johnson & Sébastien, 2024. "The key role of sufficiency for low demand-based carbon neutrality and energy security across Europe," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.
    12. Zia Wadud & Muhammad Adeel & Jillian Anable, 2024. "Understanding the large role of long-distance travel in carbon emissions from passenger travel," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 9(9), pages 1129-1138, September.
    13. Frauke Wiese & Nicolas Taillard & Emile Balembois & Benjamin Best & Stephane Bourgeois & José Campos & Luisa Cordroch & Mathilde Djelali & Alexandre Gabert & Adrien Jacob & Elliott Johnson & Sébastien, 2024. "The key role of sufficiency for low demand-based carbon neutrality and energy security across Europe," Post-Print hal-04747574, HAL.
    14. Torriti, Jacopo, 2024. "Governance perspectives on achieving demand side flexibility for net zero," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    15. Nieto, Jaime & Brockway, Paul E. & Sakai, Marco & Barrett, John, 2024. "Assessing the energy and socio-macroeconomic impacts of the EV transition: A UK case study 2020–2050," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 370(C).
    16. Hickel, Jason & Sullivan, Dylan, 2024. "How much growth is required to achieve good lives for all? Insights from needs-based analysis," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 124460, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    17. McGarry, Connor & Dixon, James & Flower, Jack & Bukhsh, Waqquas & Brand, Christian & Bell, Keith & Galloway, Stuart, 2024. "Electrified heat and transport: Energy demand futures, their impacts on power networks and what it means for system flexibility," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 360(C).
    18. Benjamin K. Sovacool & Paul Upham & Mari Martiskainen & Kirsten E. H. Jenkins & Gerardo A. Torres Contreras & Neil Simcock, 2023. "Policy prescriptions to address energy and transport poverty in the United Kingdom," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 8(3), pages 273-283, March.

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