Moving towards net-zero carbon transport systems quickly requires both shifting to more sustainable travel modes and to decarbonised fuels. The amount of energy we use from transport could be reduced by 60% by 2050, by a combination of people becoming more ‘multi-modal’ and less car dependent.| CREDS
Decision-makers require analytical tools to formulate effective policies, and good quality data to understand and track changes in energy use. CREDS work has contributed to a number of tools and to understanding data needs.| CREDS
Reducing the UK’s overall energy demand should be at the heart of a fair, affordable and healthy route to net-zero carbon emissions. CREDS research suggests that UK final energy use could be halved by 2050, whilst improving energy security, enhancing quality of life, and reducing the risks and costs associated with carbon dioxide removal.| CREDS
Energy affordability is now a critical problem, due to the large increase in gas prices, and therefore also electricity prices, following the Russian invasion of the Ukraine in 2022. The policy changes announced by the UK Government in response understandably focused on measures that could be quickly adopted – limiting price increases, and to a lesser extent supporting incomes.| CREDS
Lower energy demand invariably leads to operational cost and emission savings, which are frequently assumed to be the main benefits of reducing energy demand, and the primary drivers for it. However, demand-side actions also have wider benefits.| CREDS
Sub-national institutions and actors, particularly local government, are potentially key actors in driving energy and climate action at local and regional levels.| CREDS
The Covid pandemic had profound effects on energy use in transport, but smaller effects in buildings and industry. Research to track changes is ongoing. Many practices have reverted to pre-pandemic norms, but it seems likely that some changes, particularly in transport practices, will persist.| CREDS
Delivering net-zero in industry will require a combination of improved material efficiency, energy efficiency improvement and new zero-carbon industrial processes. In the short term, materials efficiency has the greatest potential, with new processes contributing more towards 2050.| CREDS
Strong energy demand reduction policies are needed to meet the challenge of net-zero emissions by 2050; current policies and funding levels are insufficient [1, 2, 3]. New policy is needed in a number of areas including new build regulations, support for building retrofit, active and public transport and material resource efficiency.| CREDS
Affordable energy services are essential to a good quality of life. Currently there are major inequalities in access to key energy services, such as warmth and mobility.| CREDS
People will play critical roles in energy saving and systems change. Better technologies only have a positive impact if they are adopted and used appropriately.| CREDS
Energy use is strongly affected by the wider energy system and vice versa. Increased use of variable renewable energy sources and electrification to accommodate them will enable increased energy efficiency.| CREDS
Digitalisation is a global mega-trend with profound implications for society and therefore energy use. Digital technologies have the potential to enable large energy savings in three ways: first by using digitalisation to optimise energy control, secondly by substituting information for material goods and services, and thirdly by enabling sharing of material goods.| CREDS
As the share of renewable sources rises, there will be more variability and less flexibility in electricity generation.| CREDS
There is a significant resource of untapped energy-saving opportunities in UK homes. Our estimates suggest a technical potential exceeding 50% and a cost-effective potential exceeding 25% by 2035. The majority of the long-term potential comes from moving to high-efficiency heating systems, rather than from insulation [1, 2].| CREDS
CREDS is now closed. Our research demonstrated how reductions in energy use are essential for the transition to a fair, zero-carbon society.| www.creds.ac.uk
We have analysed the research undertaken by CREDS over the past four and a half years. This analysis demonstrates that reductions in energy use are essential for the transition to a net-zero society. In the current energy affordability crisis, urgently achieving a fair low carbon society is more important than ever.| CREDS
How to organise a well-run hybrid event – it's all about preparation.| CREDS
How can energy policy encourage retrofit of domestic buildings? By getting emotional, says Yekatherina Bobrova.| CREDS
Our quartley reporting template will help you to track progress across your programe.| CREDS
Our communications plans for the consortium.| CREDS
As CREDS draws to an end, programme director Nick Eyre reflects on what we have achieved.| CREDS