A new study by scientists from the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) and their collaborators has unveiled promising strategies to significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from energy use in buildings and transport sectors.
The research, published in Nature Energy, demonstrates that a combination of policy measures, including technological solutions and behavioural changes, could lead to substantial cuts in CO2 emissions.
Specifically, the study projects potential reductions of 51-85 per cent in buildings and 37-91 per cent in transport by 2050, compared to current policy scenarios.
Bas van Ruijven, IIASA Sustainable Service Systems Research Group Leader and study co-author, emphasised the broader benefits of these strategies, stating: “Reducing energy demand also has major benefits beyond greenhouse gas emissions reduction.
“The demand-side measures explored in this study lead to higher energy security, better air quality, more food security, and several other Sustainable Development Goals.”
Key measures outlined in the study include:
- Buildings: Electrifying energy use through heat pumps, improving insulation, and reducing energy demand through behavioural shifts.
- Transport: Electrifying vehicles, enhancing efficiency, and promoting public transport and cycling.
The research utilised global Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs) to generate quantitative scenarios, capturing complex interactions between energy systems, the economy, and the environment.
Input from policymakers and sector experts further refined these scenarios.
Alessio Mastrucci, senior research scholar at IIASA and study co-author, stressed the importance of demand-side strategies, stating: “Such strategies could help governments address the root causes of emissions directly, as well as lower energy demand and reduce the need for costly supply-side investments and infrastructure.”
Rik van Heerden, lead author from the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL), concluded: “Shifting to renewable energy is vital for achieving net zero, but how we use energy is just as important.
“With support of the right policies and infrastructure, final energy users can make a powerful contribution to reaching climate goals.”
This major research offers a roadmap for policymakers and stakeholders to implement effective measures in reducing GHG emissions, potentially accelerating progress towards global climate goals.