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Demand-side solutions to climate change mitigation consistent with high levels of well-being

Author

Listed:
  • Felix Creutzig

    (Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change
    Technische Universität Berlin)

  • Leila Niamir

    (Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change)

  • Xuemei Bai

    (Australian National University)

  • Max Callaghan

    (Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change
    Priestley International Centre for Climate, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds)

  • Jonathan Cullen

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Julio Díaz-José

    (Universidad Veracruzana)

  • Maria Figueroa

    (Copenhagen Business School)

  • Arnulf Grubler

    (International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis)

  • William F. Lamb

    (Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change
    Priestley International Centre for Climate, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds)

  • Adrian Leip

    (European Commission, Joint Research Centre)

  • Eric Masanet

    (University of California)

  • Érika Mata

    (IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute)

  • Linus Mattauch

    (Technische Universität Berlin
    Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research
    University of Oxford)

  • Jan C. Minx

    (Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change
    Priestley International Centre for Climate, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds)

  • Sebastian Mirasgedis

    (National Observatory of Athens)

  • Yacob Mulugetta

    (University College London)

  • Sudarmanto Budi Nugroho

    (Institute for Global Environmental Strategies)

  • Minal Pathak

    (Ahmedabad University)

  • Patricia Perkins

    (York University)

  • Joyashree Roy

    (Asian Institute of Technology
    Jadavpur University)

  • Stephane Rue du Can

    (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)

  • Yamina Saheb

    (OpenExp
    Faculty of Geosciences and Environment, University of Lausanne)

  • Shreya Some

    (Ahmedabad University
    Jadavpur University)

  • Linda Steg

    (University of Groningen)

  • Julia Steinberger

    (Faculty of Geosciences and Environment, University of Lausanne)

  • Diana Ürge-Vorsatz

    (Central European University)

Abstract

Mitigation solutions are often evaluated in terms of costs and greenhouse gas reduction potentials, missing out on the consideration of direct effects on human well-being. Here, we systematically assess the mitigation potential of demand-side options categorized into avoid, shift and improve, and their human well-being links. We show that these options, bridging socio-behavioural, infrastructural and technological domains, can reduce counterfactual sectoral emissions by 40–80% in end-use sectors. Based on expert judgement and an extensive literature database, we evaluate 306 combinations of well-being outcomes and demand-side options, finding largely beneficial effects in improvement in well-being (79% positive, 18% neutral and 3% negative), even though we find low confidence on the social dimensions of well-being. Implementing such nuanced solutions is based axiomatically on an understanding of malleable rather than fixed preferences, and procedurally on changing infrastructures and choice architectures. Results demonstrate the high mitigation potential of demand-side mitigation options that are synergistic with well-being.

Suggested Citation

  • Felix Creutzig & Leila Niamir & Xuemei Bai & Max Callaghan & Jonathan Cullen & Julio Díaz-José & Maria Figueroa & Arnulf Grubler & William F. Lamb & Adrian Leip & Eric Masanet & Érika Mata & Linus Mat, 2022. "Demand-side solutions to climate change mitigation consistent with high levels of well-being," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 36-46, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcli:v:12:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41558-021-01219-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41558-021-01219-y
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    Cited by:

    1. Kılkış, Şiir, 2022. "Urban emissions and land use efficiency scenarios towards effective climate mitigation in urban systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    2. Crelis F. Rammelt & Joyeeta Gupta & Diana Liverman & Joeri Scholtens & Daniel Ciobanu & Jesse F. Abrams & Xuemei Bai & Lauren Gifford & Christopher Gordon & Margot Hurlbert & Cristina Y. A. Inoue & Li, 2023. "Impacts of meeting minimum access on critical earth systems amidst the Great Inequality," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 6(2), pages 212-221, February.
    3. Yan, Ran & Ma, Minda & Zhou, Nan & Feng, Wei & Xiang, Xiwang & Mao, Chao, 2023. "Towards COP27: Decarbonization patterns of residential building in China and India," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 352(C).
    4. Michael Berkebile-Weinberg & Danielle Goldwert & Kimberly C. Doell & Jay J. Bavel & Madalina Vlasceanu, 2024. "The differential impact of climate interventions along the political divide in 60 countries," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
    5. 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).
    6. Gábor Horváth & Attila Bai & Sándor Szegedi & István Lázár & Csongor Máthé & László Huzsvai & Máté Zakar & Zoltán Gabnai & Tamás Tóth, 2023. "A Comprehensive Review of the Distinctive Tendencies of the Diffusion of E-Mobility in Central Europe," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-29, July.
    7. Feng, Cuiyang & Dong, Liyan & Adbiat, Muhsen & Xu, Lixiao & Yu, Ao, 2023. "Critical transmission sectors in China's energy supply chains," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 266(C).
    8. Franziska Wiest & M. Gabriela Gamarra Scavone & Maya Tsuboya Newell & Ilona M. Otto & Andrew K. Ringsmuth, 2022. "Scaling Up Ecovillagers’ Lifestyles Can Help to Decarbonise Europe," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-19, October.
    9. Kılkış, Şiir & Ulpiani, Giulia & Vetters, Nadja, 2024. "Visions for climate neutrality and opportunities for co-learning in European cities," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).
    10. Ma, Huan & Sun, Qinghan & Chen, Lei & Chen, Qun & Zhao, Tian & He, Kelun & Xu, Fei & Min, Yong & Wang, Shunjiang & Zhou, Guiping, 2023. "Cogeneration transition for energy system decarbonization: From basic to flexible and complementary multi-energy sources," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    11. Andrew L. Fanning & Jason Hickel, 2023. "Compensation for atmospheric appropriation," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 6(9), pages 1077-1086, September.
    12. Viktorija Bobinaite & Inga Konstantinaviciute & Arvydas Galinis & Mária Bartek-Lesi & Viktor Rácz & Bettina Dézsi, 2022. "Energy Sufficiency in the Household Sector of Lithuania and Hungary: The Case of Heated Floor Area," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-19, December.
    13. Muttaqee, Mahmood & Stelmach, Greg & Zanocco, Chad & Flora, June & Rajagopal, Ram & Boudet, Hilary S., 2024. "Time of use pricing and likelihood of shifting energy activities, strategies, and timing," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    14. Kılkış, Şiir, 2023. "Integrated urban scenarios of emissions, land use efficiency and benchmarking for climate neutrality and sustainability," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 285(C).
    15. Plötz, Patrick & Wachsmuth, Jakob & Sprei, Frances & Gnann, Till & Speth, Daniel & Neuner, Felix & Link, Steffen, 2023. "Greenhouse gas emission budgets and policies for zero-carbon road transport in Europe," Working Papers "Sustainability and Innovation" S02/2023, Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (ISI).
    16. Anna Kristín Einarsdóttir & Gereon tho Pesch & Kevin Joseph Dillman & Marta Rós Karlsdóttir & Jukka Heinonen, 2024. "Consumption-Based Energy Footprints in Iceland: High and Equally Distributed," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-21, May.
    17. Lisa Winkler & Drew Pearce & Jenny Nelson & Oytun Babacan, 2023. "The effect of sustainable mobility transition policies on cumulative urban transport emissions and energy demand," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-14, December.
    18. Fanning, Andrew L. & Hickel, Jason, 2023. "Compensation for atmospheric appropriation," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 119717, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    19. 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).
    20. Leanne S. Giordono & June Flora & Chad Zanocco & Hilary Boudet, 2022. "Food Practice Lifestyles: Identification and Implications for Energy Sustainability," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-19, May.

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