This global study led by Dr Yuru Guan and Dr Yuli Shan from the University of Birmingham and the University of Groningen looks at how much carbon pollution could be cut if people adopted low-carbon lifestyles — from eating less meat and flying less, to repairing clothes and improving home insulation.
By analysing household spending data from 116 countries, the team estimated that the wealthiest 23.7% of people—those with carbon footprints above the level compatible with staying below 2°C of global warming—could cut global emissions by 10.4 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent, or about 40% of household-related emissions, if they embraced a combination of 21 low-carbon choices. The biggest savings come from changes in mobility (12%), services (10%), and diet (8%).
Surprisingly, the study found that even some African nations such as Namibia and Mauritius have large untapped potential for reducing emissions through lifestyle changes among higher-income households. However, the researchers also warn about rebound effects — when people re-spend the money they save on other goods, which can offset 6–45% of the benefits.
The authors conclude that lifestyle changes are an essential complement to technological solutions:
“Low-carbon lifestyles can play a pivotal role in short and medium-term climate mitigation efforts by reducing energy demand and overall consumption”
The research highlights that everyday actions—especially among high emitters—are crucial complements to clean technologies, offering a fast and equitable path to lower emissions.
Read the full paper here: