Curbing excess: High energy consumption and the fair energy transition

Cass, Noel; Lucas, Karen; Adeel, Muhammad; Anable, Jillian; Buchs, Milena; Lovelace, Robin; Morgan, Malcolm; Mullen, Carolin

Abstract

The Centre for Research into Energy Demand Solutions (CREDS) is a research programme dedicated to understanding the role of reduced energy demand in the UK’s transition to a net-zero carbon society.

This research project investigated the households with the highest energy consumption for transport (e.g. cars, aviation) and for domestic use (e.g. heating, cooking, washing). The research aims to understand how to best define high energy use, what factors made households consume more energy, and to develop and assess approaches that could lead to fair, radical reductions in energy use.

The project first conducted secondary analysis of national quantitative data sets, followed by qualitative interviews with high energy consuming households. Finally, a deliberative process tested out and collected public responses to policy options for reducing energy consumption, especially of the highest energy users.

Reducing energy consumption in households where energy use is highest offers a potentially efficient and equitable approach to reducing energy demand. Reducing demand for energy makes the shift to zero carbon energy sources easier and cheaper to achieve. Recent research suggests that energy efficiency and demand reduction measures across the economy could contribute around half of the cut in carbon required by 2050.

Section 1: Understanding definitions of ‘excess’ – why is it important?
This section of the report describes the complexity of finding an appropriate description of high or excess energy use: there is no clear definition of excess or over consumption. Ten related definitions emerged from the research: six quantitative (e.g. average, top percentages); and four qualitative (e.g. minimum standards, wants).

Section 2: Who is consuming excess energy? Quantitative data analysis
Analysis of UK national and regional data of household energy and transport use patterns identified geographical areas where energy use was higher than average.

The quantitative analysis shows that higher income is associated with high energy demand across all domains – home energy, motor fuels, and other travel, especially air travel, and all other consumption. However, the strength of association between income and energy demand differs across these domains. High levels of home energy use are the most evenly distributed across income groups, while air travel is most unevenly distributed across income groups.

Section 3: How do high energy households view their consumption? Interview analysis
Thirty interviews with individuals from these areas explored their high energy use and their lifestyles in more detail. These households had high gas and electricity usage (monthly bills over £120: the UK mean) and high mobility-related energy consumption based on criteria including numbers of annual return flights, ownership of multiple cars, and annual car mileage.

The interviews confirmed known drivers of high domestic energy consumption e.g. large houses heating many rooms. They also revealed many more sociological drivers of both high domestic and travel-related energy consumption by the wealthiest.

Section 4: Which policy approaches could reduce excess household energy consumption?
Four deliberative workshops tested the perceived fairness of policy options for reducing high energy consumption. Participants were from the full range of domestic and travel-related energy consumption profiles.
Participants demonstrated an understanding that demand needs to be reduced, and that policies beyond those that ‘work with the grain of consumer choice’ will be required to address rising energy consumption in areas such as home heating, air travel and car use.

There were differences of opinion on the best policy packages for reducing different types of energy consumption, based on their effectiveness, fairness and acceptability. Some people thought rationing (e.g. a frequent flyer levy) would be most appropriate to reduce air travel, whereas structural change (e.g. adequate public transport) would be needed to reduce car use.

• Report Type: Research Report
• Online Publication Date: Feb 1, 2022
• Publication Date: Feb 1, 2022
• Deposit Date: Sep 27, 2022
• Series Number: 9781913299149
• Keywords: High energy consumption, energy consumption, fair energy transition
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10012319
• Related Public URLs: www.creds.ac.uk
• Additional Information: This report is based on the findings of a research project at; the University of Leeds looking at the consumption patterns of; high-end and excessive consumption in households in the UK, to; understand the reasons for high energy use and the structural,; social, cultural and economic influences on these behaviours; The project is led by Professors Jillian Anable and Karen Lucas; with researchers: Dr Milena Buchs, Dr Noel Cass, Dr Robin; Lovelace, Dr Malcolm Morgan, Dr Caroline Mullen and Dr Adeel; Muhammed.; ; Data is taken from the Living Costs and Food Survey (2009 and; 2001–2018 flight data), National Travel Survey (2015–2019) and; household gas and electricity bill analysis.