Structural changes are essential to support lifestyle changes because they create the enabling conditions for sustainable choices to be accessible, affordable, and desirable, particularly in key areas such as food, housing, and mobility. The EU 1.5° Lifestyles project highlights that technological improvements alone are insufficient to meet the 1.5°C target, as the demand for high-emission goods and services continues to grow without systemic shifts in provisioning systems and regulations that align consumer behaviour with climate goals (see Policy Brief 1).
In the context of increasing polarization in society and populist backlash to climate governance, we need to change policies and broader structures to address these challenges effectively. Alongside the implementation of specific policies (see Policy Brief 2), policymakers can pursue several strategic actions to overcome structural barriers (Policy Brief 4), avoid rebound effects (see Policy Brief 3), and create the necessary momentum towards transformation. These include creating a common understanding of responsibilities, coordinating broad actor coalitions, putting social justice at the heart of policymaking, and communicating to stakeholders effectively. Some of these actions are related to a range of the aspects analysed in the EU 1.5° Lifestyle project, which makes them fundamental for addressing multiple challenges to mainstreaming 1.5° lifestyles.