Quantitative Analysis

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The emission reduction potentials of 1.5° lifestyles in Germany for the year 2030 and 2050 are analyzed in the EU 1.5° Lifestyles project and the results will be published upon completion of the analysis. These results will be used in Citizen Labs, where participants will design pathways to reduce lifestyle emissions by 2030. One further H2020 project which is focusing on 1.5° lifestyles in Germany is PSLifestyle. The share of total lifestyle carbon footprint from food consumption can vary substantially across countries. For example, in the report 1.5-Degree Lifestyles: Towards A Fair Consumption Space for All published by the Hot or Cool Institute, the share of carbon footprint from food ranges from about 16% in Canada to over 60% in Brazil. Highest carbon footprints are associated with meat and, to a minor extent, dairy consumption. The reductions required in the footprint for food by 2030 range from 39% to 68% in upper-middle and high-income countries. Among the different lifestyle options available for achieving these reductions, adopting a vegan or vegetarian diet are the most effective, followed by switching to low-carbon protein instead of red meat and to alternative dairy products (plant-based).

The impact of lifestyle change on climate change mitigation is calculated by considering changes in demand and/or in carbon intensity of different lifestyle options.

Carbon footprints of consumption are estimated by multiplying consumption amounts (for example how much electricity you use in your house) by carbon intensities (the emission of CO2 (or GHG) per unit of consumption, for example per kWh of electricity).

By reducing either consumption amounts (i.e. consuming less) or carbon intensity through switching to modes that emit less CO2 per unit of consumption it is possible to reduce lifestyle carbon footprints.