Curbing excess: High energy consumption and the fair energy transition

This research project investigated the households with the
highest energy consumption for transport (e.g. cars, aviation)
and for domestic use (e.g. heating, cooking, washing). The
research aims to understand how to best define high energy use,
what factors made households consume more energy, and to
develop and assess approaches that could lead to fair, radical
reductions in energy use.
The project first conducted secondary analysis of national
quantitative data sets, followed by qualitative interviews with
high energy consuming households. Finally, a deliberative
process tested out and collected public responses to policy
options for reducing energy consumption, especially of the
highest energy users.
Reducing energy consumption in households where energy use
is highest offers a potentially efficient and equitable approach to
reducing energy demand. Reducing demand for energy makes
the shift to zero carbon energy sources easier and cheaper
to achieve. Recent research suggests that energy efficiency
and demand reduction measures across the economy could
contribute around half of the cut in carbon required by 2050