In a recent study, researchers have demonstrated that implementing a combination of policy strategies—encompassing both technology and changes in behavior—can greatly help in lowering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from energy consumption in buildings and transportation.
In a recent study, IIASA researchers have revealed that a combination of policy strategies, including technological advancements and modifications in behavior, can greatly decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from energy use in buildings and transportation.
Energy consumption in buildings and transportation plays a major role in GHG emissions, contributing to more than 20% of total global emissions. The latest findings from IIASA scientists and their associates from various institutions suggest that implementing a thorough set of demand-focused strategies could potentially slash CO2 emissions from buildings by 51-85% and from transportation by 37-91%, when compared to a scenario that follows existing policies.
“Reducing energy demand also brings significant advantages beyond the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions,” states Bas van Ruijven, the leader of the IIASA Sustainable Service Systems Research Group and co-author of the study. “The demand-side strategies examined in this research lead to enhanced energy security, improved air quality, increased food security, and advancement towards multiple Sustainable Development Goals.”
The study outlines a variety of effective policy measures to optimize benefits. For buildings, adopting strategies like electrifying energy usage through heat pumps, enhancing insulation, and encouraging behavioral changes to lower energy demand can drastically reduce emissions. In addition, in transportation, transitioning to electric vehicles, boosting efficiency, and advocating for the use of public transport and cycling can significantly cut emissions. Notably, the research indicates that many of the suggested measures can work together synergistically, leading to faster decarbonization with minimal trade-offs.
“Strategies focused on demand are crucial for achieving both rapid and substantial reductions in emissions,” remarks Alessio Mastrucci, a senior research scholar in the IIASA Energy, Climate, and Environment Program and co-author of the study. “Such strategies allow governments to tackle the fundamental causes of emissions directly, decrease energy consumption, and lessen the necessity for expensive investments and infrastructure on the supply side.”
The study employs quantitative scenarios created using global Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs), specifically crafted to analyze the connections between the energy system, the economy, and the environment. Additionally, the authors enhanced the scenarios by collecting perspectives from policymakers and specialists in demand-driven sectors.
“Transitioning to renewable energy is essential for achieving net-zero emissions, but how we utilize energy holds equal importance,” concludes Rik van Heerden, a researcher at the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL) and lead author of the study. “With the right policies and infrastructure in place, end-users of energy can make a significant impact in achieving climate targets.”
