Chalmers University of Technology
Extensive technological developments, a ban on fossil fuels, less construction, fewer flights, fewer car journeys and lower levels of beef and dairy consumption. Only by taking all these measures in combination can Sweden get closer to emission levels in line with the Paris Agreement, according to a new research report commissioned by the Swedish Parliament.
On April 7, 2022, the Swedish Cross-Party Committee on Environmental Objectives is suggesting a new consumption-based climate target, as a complement to the existing territorial climate targets. As a basis for this, a group of Swedish researchers, from organisations including Chalmers University of Technology, have produced a comprehensive report analysing how consumption patterns need to change for Sweden to reach emission levels in line with the Paris Agreement's goal of keeping the global temperature rise well below two degrees Celsius.
The researchers' conclusion is that while extensive technological developments are essential, consumption habits must also change - only by combining these two approaches do we stand a chance of achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. The premise in the calculations is that the remaining future emissions are distributed globally evenly per person.
"If we are to achieve really low emission levels, we need to both invest heavily in new climate-smart technologies, as well as make significant changes to our behaviour when it comes to the goods and services with the highest carbon footprints," says Jörgen Larsson, Associate Professor in sustainable consumption at Chalmers University of Technology, and project manager for the report.
Without behavioural changes, emissions will remain high
The report is based on analyses of different scenarios and shows that if we rely only on technological developments - measures such as eliminating fossil-fuel vehicles, producing fossil-free steel and fossil-free commercial fertiliser - emissions will still be too high. Only when these technological developments are combined with significant changes in behaviour does the outlook improve - particularly if the changes are substantial.
When combined with fewer flights, less car travel, significantly reduced consumption of beef and dairy products, and radically reduced construction of roads and housing - for example by converting office blocks to residential buildings - emissions could sink by up to 90 per cent by 2050, compared with today's level. This reduction of emissions is based on the assumption that the rest of the world also enacts climate change mitigation measures to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, thereby reducing the carbon footprints of imported goods.
"The scenario with extensive behavioral changes is a theoretical thought experiment, which aims to show the lowest levels we could reach with the help of both technological and radical social changes and still live a modern life." says Johannes Morfeldt, researcher at the Division of Physical Resource Theory at Chalmers University of Technology.
Analyses based on five distinct scenarios
The report, which is based on Swedish conditions, outlines scenarios with varying degrees of technological development and behavioural changes.
- The Reference scenario foresees behaviours and technology evolving according to current trends.
- The Territorial climate target scenario - Sweden's climate targets are achieved mainly through technological changes.
- Behaviour and technology scenario - in addition to the technological changes in the previous scenario, further measures are implemented (both technical and behavioural) to lower Swedish consumption impacts outside of Sweden's borders as well. (not shown in the figure)
- Comprehensive behaviour and technology scenario - extensive reductions in flying, driving, consumption of beef and dairy products, as well as in the construction of new roads and housing.
- Reference scenario with comprehensive behaviour change - the same reductions in consumption as in the previous scenario, but without the introduction of advanced technologies, both in Sweden and abroad.
The figure shows the emission levels and reduction potentials for different scenarios in 2050 compared to 2019 for emissions related to transportation, food, buildings and infrastructure. Current trends and policies shows the results for Swedish consumption-based emissions if other countries develop in line with current climate policy. Global climate transition shows results for Swedish consumption-based emissions if other countries develop in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement.
More about the research
This study outlines a method for scenario analysis based on bottom-up simulations of pathways for consumption sectors with the largest climate impact - passenger car travel, air travel, construction and housing, and food. The study extends previous research by analysing the impact of lifestyle and technological changes at the national level on consumption-based emissions. The analysis merges methods developed in separate sectoral studies and places them in a prospective lifecycle assessment framework. Assumptions are harmonised for two background scenarios - a current trends and policies scenario and a global climate transition scenario in line with the Paris Agreement's goals - to illustrate the strong influence of technological developments in the rest of the world when estimating consumption-based emissions (indicated by a range).
The report has been prepared on behalf of the Swedish Cross-Party Committee on Environmental Objectives, whose final report will be presented on April 7.
The assignment was led by Jörgen Larsson and Johannes Morfeldt (Chalmers University of Technology) who worked with all parts of the analysis. Other participating researchers:
- Jonas Åkerman (PhD, KTH Royal Institute of Technology)
- Jonas Nässén (associate professor, Chalmers)
- Daniel Johansson (associate professor, Chalmers)
- Frances Sprei (associate professor, Chalmers)
- Cecilia Hult (doctoral student, Chalmers)
- Johan Rootzén (PhD, IVL Swedish Environmental Institute)
- Ida Karlsson (doctoral student, Chalmers)
- Stefan Wirsenius (associate professor, Chalmers)
- Fredrik Hedenus (professor, Chalmers)
- Erik André (doctoral student, Chalmers)
- Markus Millinger (PhD, Chalmers).
/University Release. This material from the originating organization/author(s) might be of the point-in-time nature, and edited for clarity, style and length. Mirage.News does not take institutional positions or sides, and all views, positions, and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s).View in full here.
