Research Says ‘Low-Carbon Lifestyles’ Could Help Meet Climate Goals
- The Earth & I Editorial Team
- Jun 20
- 3 min read
Up to 30% Reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions Possible
A new study published in Nature Communications reveals that "low carbon [emissions] lifestyles" could play a significant role in helping the world meet its climate goals. The research quantifies the greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction potential of 21 low-carbon consumer actions in 116 countries, offering a compelling case for personal behavior changes as a critical strategy in the fight against climate change. The findings suggest that targeting higher-emitting households—specifically those exceeding the global per-capita average—could reduce global emissions by up to 30%.
Potential for Global Emissions Reductions
The study, led by professor Yuli Shan, PhD, of the University of Birmingham in the UK, predicts that if households representing the top 23.7% of global carbon emitters make low-carbon expenditures, the global carbon footprint could be reduced by an astounding 10.4 gigatons of CO2 equivalent. This would require substantial reductions in regions like North America and some unexpected opportunities in those like Sub-Saharan Africa. The research suggests that consumer-led decisions can have a profound impact, especially in wealthy regions where carbon footprints are particularly high.
"The potential for reducing emissions through changes in consumption patterns is enormous," said Dr. Shan. "Our study shows that adopting low-carbon lifestyles can play a pivotal role in mitigating climate change by targeting households with the highest emissions."
Targeting High-Emitting Households
The study highlights the disproportionate carbon footprint of wealthier households, which contribute significantly more to global GHG emissions. For instance, the average carbon footprint of the wealthiest households is 15.6 tons of CO2 per capita, compared to just 0.5 tons for the poorest households. The researchers say wealthy households tend to have larger footprints due to higher consumption of services and mobility, while food consumption is the primary driver of emissions for poorer households.
Key areas identified for potential emissions reductions include:
Reducing Use of Commercial (Business-to-Consumer) Services, such as Hospitality, Entertainment, Financial, etc.: Shifting to more sustainable options, such as preparing more meals at home or sharing one tv per household, could reduce emissions by 10.9%.
Adopting a Plant-based Diet: A significant reduction of 8.3% could be achieved by reducing consumption of animal-based foods and processed products.
Energy-Efficient Building Standards: Implementing these could reduce emissions by 6.0%.
Shifting from Private to Public Transport: This could cut emissions by 3.6%.
Sharing and Repairing Home Appliances: This would result in a 3.0% reduction in emissions.
The study shows that changes in mobility and services could account for up to 22% of total emissions reductions globally.
Global Variation in Emissions Exceedance
The study also reveals regional variations in households surpassing the global target. Luxembourg is a high-income country with low total emissions (14.2 tons per capita). However, it has the largest share of carbon-exceeding households (99.7% of its population). China has carbon footprints of 5.2 tons per capita with “a substantial share of carbon-exceeding households (24.0%).”
North America, with an average footprint of 17.2 tons per capita, has the highest proportion of carbon-exceeding households.
North America, with an average footprint of 17.2 tons per capita, has the highest proportion of carbon-exceeding households, with 85.4% of its population exceeding the 2020 target.
Sub-Saharan Africa has a much smaller footprint by comparison, though 5.4% of the population shows “a much larger footprint (9.7 tons per capita) compared to its carbon-compliant households.” Some countries within this region, such as Mauritius, Namibia, and Chad, were found to present “unexpected” potential for mitigation, highlighting the diverse opportunities for carbon reductions across different economies.
A Call to Action for Policymakers and Consumers
The findings underline the importance of engaging consumers in addressing climate change and shifting household consumption patterns toward more sustainable practices. The research team, including Yuru Guan from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, emphasizes that while wealthier nations have the greatest emissions reduction potential, all regions must take action to meet global climate targets.
"This research provides valuable insights into how lifestyle changes can reduce carbon footprints," said Professor Klaus Hubacek, another corresponding author from the University of Groningen. "Policymakers need to consider these findings when formulating strategies to promote sustainable consumption."
As the world grapples with the climate crisis, the adoption of low-carbon lifestyles offers a tangible path forward, with the potential for significant, scalable reductions in global emissions.
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