• quote
  • "Policymakers need to win public support for energy demand reduction mechanisms. -The reality is decarbonisation on the supply side, where energy is generated and distributed, will not be enough to deliver the emission reductions that are needed. -So, energy demand will have to be reduced. That is the inescapable reality."
• Author
  • Milena Buchs
• Experts on the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimate that
  • reducing energy demand could produce between 40% and 70% of the emissions reductions that need to be found by 2050.

"Our research is indicating that public support for energy demand reduction is possible if the public see the schemes as being fair and deliver climate justice."

• comment
  • aligned with Kevin Anderson's findings from 2013 that
    • it takes decades to build out supply-side infrastructure that can replace fossil fuel systems
    • therefore, significant demand side reductions are necessary to delivery the reductions in carbon emissions needed now
    • https://hyp.is/lOljjiV1Ee65J2N_QMPZhw/kevinanderson.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Edinburgh-presentation-Oct-2013.pdf

• One energy demand reduction strategy
  • Cap the top 20% of energy users
  • while allowing those people
    • who use little energy and
    • have poverty-level incomes
  • to be able to
    • increase their consumption levels and
    • improve their quality of life.

• Title
  • Cap top 20% of energy users to reduce carbon emissions

• Publication

  • https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/07/230717175940.htm

• Summary -Consumers in the richer, developed nations will have to accept restrictions on their energy use

  • if international climate change targets are to be met, warn researchers.
  • The big challenge is to identify the fairest and most equitable way
  • that governments can curtail energy use,
    • a process known as energy demand reduction. -The research team analyzed several scenarios to identify a potential solution.

• energy demand side reduction
  • too early for supply side infrastructure to fully scale
  • therefore, only significant demand-side reductions can keep us safe