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 School of Geography and the Environment

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Demand Reduction - UK Energy Research Centre

This UKERC research theme will address the challenge of how to reduce our energy demands. It will consider the introduction of new technologies and ways of influencing consumer behaviour whilst covering concerns about distribution and affordability.

What is demand reduction?

Demand reduction means reduction in demand for fossil fuel energy, and reduction in demand for energy services / mobility - both of which will contribute to reducing carbon emissions from energy use.

Demand for energy

Energy use needs to be understood from either a demand or supply side perspective. Demand side analysis concentrates on understanding where, how and why demand for energy arises within society and the economy.

It also looks at the insulation of buildings and small-scale energy conversion technologies, e.g. lights, computers, heating systems, and the very significant opportunities for improving their efficiency. Supply side analysis concentrates on the fuel sources which are used to supply energy demand, and the large-scale technologies which convert these fuels into useful forms of energy, e.g. wind turbines and electricity generation in power stations. Of course, both types of analysis are necessary; supply side analysis is being undertaken under other research themes in UKERC. But if there is no demand, there is no need for the supply.

Types of energy used

Energy use is of concern because of the carbon dioxide emissions it releases. Switching to lower carbon fuels is an important research topic in demand reduction. Our research will focus on smaller scale opportunities for lower carbon fuels, including Low or Zero Carbon (LZC) technologies built into buildings. UKERC will also be considering options external to buildings, under other research themes.

Demand for energy services / mobility

'Energy services' is a phrase which encompasses the benefits people get from using energy - e.g. warm rooms, hot showers, well-lit spaces, access to the internet. 'Mobility' is a measure of how far people travel. Both of these are key drivers of overall demand for energy and they are also on the increase (as shown below). It is important to understand what is happening to demand for energy services and mobility, and to explore means of reducing demand.

Why demand reduction is important

Table 1 shows how carbon emissions from various sectors have changed over the period 1990-2003, in comparison with the UK target of a 12.5% reduction in all greenhouse gas emissions between 1990 and 2010. Emissions from personal air travel and personal surface travel (i.e. road and rail) have increased, and those from household energy use have only decreased very slightly.

Table 1 also assesses approximately how the main influences on emissions - the carbon intensity of fuels used, energy efficiency and mobility / energy services - have contributed to the overall performance of the sector. In most cases there have been some improvements in shifting to lower carbon fuels and increasing energy efficiency, but at the same time a significant increase in demand for mobility / energy services. Tackling all three of these factors is important, but reducing demand for mobility / energy services is likely to be the most challenging.

Table 1: Changes in carbon emissions between 1990 and 2003

Table 1: Changes in carbon emissions between 1990 and 2003

Sources: DEFRA 2004, 2002 UK air emission estimates and climate change sustainable development indicators, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, London; ONS & NETCEN 2004, Carbon Dioxide Emissions by 93 Economic Sectors 1990 to 2002 DfT 2004, Transport trends: 2004 edition, Department for Transport, London.


Figure 1: Schematic diagram showing relative contribution to achieving 60% carbon savings by 2050 Personal air travel

Figure 1: Schematic diagram showing relative contribution to achieving 60% carbon savings by 2050 Personal air travel

Figure 1 gives a very approximate estimate of how 60% savings might be delivered by 2050 for personal air travel, personal surface travel and household energy use. Future research by the demand reduction team will show whether this first estimate is correct. Figure 1 clearly shows that the question of reducing demand for mobility / energy services cannot be avoided, given what we currently know about the potential savings from lower carbon fuels and energy efficiency.

What research will the demand reduction team undertake?

The demand reduction team is still in the early stages of formation, and a detailed research programme has yet to be finalised. However, the following themes will be an important part of our research:

  • Personal transport choices - exploring how people can choose less energy intensive journeys and modes of travel. Providing increased accessibility rather than increased mobility (e.g. increased provision of local facilities).
  • Personal carbon allowances - investigating a mechanism for enabling individuals to reduce carbon emissions from household and personal transport energy use.
  • Fuel poverty and distributional issues - ensuring that carbon reductions are not made at the expense of the disadvantaged in society.
  • Demand side technologies - identifying how to deliver market changes through increased efficiency and provision of Low and Zero Carbon technologies through policy measures and financing mechanisms.
  • Lower carbon food system - investigating ways in which we can use less energy to produce, process, transport, sell and prepare the food that we buy. A multi-sectoral approach that will partly integrate with work done in other areas, such as demand reduction in transport and technology.
  • Providing inputs for UKERC modelling research.

The team will also explore how to pursue demand reduction ideas in other sectors of energy use, in particular industrial and commercial energy use, and freight transport.

Publications and Communications

Quick Hits: A series of proposed initiatives developed by the Demand Reduction theme of the UKERC, intended to make a useful contribution in reducing carbon emissions by 2010. They are designed to be relatively easily for the Government or local authorities to implement. Read more about Quick Hits.

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