• In the UK energy demand has plateaued in recent years

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• We can reduce energy demand by avoiding unnecessary energy services, changing the way that energy services are delivered and improving energy efficiency

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• The advantage of energy demand reduction as a mitigation strategy is because of its ability to provide short-term reductions to cumulative emissions. The recently produced Energy White Paper is looking at reductions of about 30% by 2050

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• Mobility accounts for the largest sector of energy demand, and 75% is for road transport

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• Lifestyle change strategies can have a larger impact on energy demand and emissions in the short term than the switch to electric vehicles, however a combination of both is required to reach net zero. A key challenge is the move from private car ownership

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• 29% of final energy consumption is used domestically to provide energy services relating to shelter – with over 70% of demand used for heating. Retrofitting the UK housing stock with insulation, improved glazing and draught-proofing should be an immediate priority

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• The largest potential to reduce energy demand for nutrition comes from directing shifts away from animal products – particularly moving from meat to a plant-based diet

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• We can reduce energy demand for goods and services by improving the material productivity of production and reducing consumption levels

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• Successfully reducing energy demand requires increasing the rate of energy efficiency improvement and a broader range of changes to social practices and infrastructure which will require a systemic coordinated approach

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• The key challenge in designing policy is defining what can systematically realise changes to infrastructure and social practices, rather than the “nudge” interventions that dominate current thinking

 

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