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The key role of sufficiency in achieving a low energy future for Europe
This seminar will be held in a hybrid format. To join this seminar online, please register through this link: Register Here
Abstract
Until recently, energy demand reduction (EDR) options have received limited attention in climate change mitigation scenarios, despite being shown to create additional benefits beyond those demonstrated by supply-side measures. EDR can de-risk the transition to net zero, facilitate the displacement of fossil fuels and reduce the reliance on unproven negative emission technologies – amongst others. In response, there has been a proliferation of low energy demand (LED) scenarios, exploring the socio-technical potential for demand reduction across different contexts.
Using the novel Sufficiency-Efficiency-Renewables modelling framework, the CLEVER (Collaborative Low Energy Vision for the European Region) scenario presents one such future, exploring the role that sufficiency can play in the European region (EU 27 + UK, Norway and Switzerland) reaching net zero emissions before the second half of the century. Final energy demand is significantly reduced across the scenario, ensuring that emissions reductions can be achieved without the need for risky technological solutions, such as CCS or nuclear power production. However, many of the implications of low energy futures remain unexplored.
The second half of this seminar interrogates low energy demand scenarios and their modelling approaches further, assessing the distribution of energy access and the representation of economic growth.
Biography
Elliott Johnson is a PGR student at the University of Leeds. His PhD hopes to better understand the macroeconomic and energy system implications of low energy demand futures through the lens of energy-economy modelling. He previously worked as a research assistant in energy demand reduction at the Centre for Research into Energy Demand Solutions and the Energy Demand Research Centre, with work looking at energy systems modelling and scenarios, material efficiency and energy efficiency. Currently, Elliott works for the Climate Evidence Unit at the Priestley Centre for Climate Futures, which provides independent evidence to inform the delivery of a climate resilient, decarbonised future.