PIK
The potential role of lifestyle changes in reducing energy demand is widely discussed, yet remains underexplored in integrated scenario assessments. A recent study, supported by the PRISMA project, demonstrates the significant impact of behavioural shifts on energy consumption and carbon emissions in the European residential sector. By incorporating behavioural factors into energy system models, the research quantifies the extent to which household-level adjustments can complement existing climate policies.
The study examines various lifestyle changes, including reducing thermostat setpoints, optimising living space, and choosing energy-efficient appliances. Scenario-based modelling suggests that widespread adoption of these measures could reduce final energy demand in the residential sector by up to 30% by 2050. This translates into substantial CO₂ emission reductions, supporting the EU’s long-term climate neutrality targets.
Figure 1 . Final energy demand in the EU27 residential buildings sector, as projected by two energy system models. Reductions attributed to various lifestyle changes are highlighted in colour.
The findings indicate that lifestyle changes, when combined with ambitious decarbonisation policies, can enhance
the effectiveness of regulatory and technological measures. While current climate policies primarily focus on energy
efficiency improvements and the deployment of renewable energy, integrating behavioural adaptations could
further accelerate emission reductions and reduce household energy costs.
However, the level of lifestyle change adoption remains an exogenous assumption in energy system models.
Estimating plausible adoption rates presents a challenge, as no comprehensive scientific assessment currently
quantifies the willingness to engage in such changes. Nonetheless, this research highlights that overlooking
behavioural factors in transformation scenarios risks neglecting a potentially significant mitigation opportunity.
A. Andreou et al., ‘Evaluating the impact of lifestyle changes: a scenario-based analysis for Europe’s residential
buildings sector’, Environ. Res. Commun., vol. 7, no. 3, p. 035013, Mar. 2025, doi: 10.1088/2515-7620/adb9d8.
Getty Images
This news is part of a project that has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme under grant agreement No 101081604 – PRISMA.
Views and opinions expressed are however those of the speaker(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Follow PRISMA’s outcomes and results on social media, via the #net0prisma