A reduction in energy consumption is essential in the fight against climate change. However, this poses a social problem as low-income households cannot afford to implement measures to reduce their energy consumption. Researchers from the University of Leeds have conducted a study to determine how the costs of climate protection measures can be distributed fairly among different income groups. The study focused on reducing energy consumption and analyzed data from over 275,000 European households from 27 countries. The results showed that the wealthiest 20% of the EU population consume an average of 200 gigajoules per person annually, while a reduction to 170 gigajoules could reduce CO2 emissions by 10%.
The study also found that individuals with higher education and income tend to consume more energy, while those living in larger families, with children, older people, or in urban areas consume less. The researchers emphasized the need to work towards reducing energy consumption, as decarbonization on the supply side alone will not be sufficient to achieve the necessary emission reductions. The study suggests that reducing energy consumption is an unavoidable reality, and it is crucial to find ways to distribute the costs of climate protection measures fairly among different income groups.
The study’s findings are significant as they provide insights into how to address the social problem of climate protection measures’ costs. The researchers suggest that reducing energy consumption is a crucial step towards achieving emission reductions, and it is essential to find ways to distribute the costs of climate protection measures fairly among different income groups. The study’s results can inform policymakers and stakeholders in developing policies that promote energy efficiency and reduce emissions while ensuring that the costs are distributed fairly among different income groups.
