Policy pathways that prioritise absolute energy demand reductions are the only pathways currently available that meet 1.5 oC targets without relying on negative emissions technologies. In the energy sector, readily available technologies and programs consistent with demand reduction pathways (e.g. retrofits, public and active transportation, consumer goods standards and repair) are proven, readily available, and often have high levels of social support because they produce significant social and environmental co-benefits. Yet these solutions often seem politically infeasible at scale in many countries, or they remain a much lower priority than supply-side policies. The political (in)feasibility of systematic energy demand reduction remains one of the main impediments for progress toward 1.5 oC targets.
Despite its key role, political feasibility remains poorly theorised, especially for energy demand reduction. This paper unpacks the question of the political feasibility of energy demand reduction by reviewing existing perspectives on political feasibility and highlighting strengths and gaps. We develop an understanding of political feasibility specifically for energy demand reduction, develop an approach of analysing the concept, and then unpack three interacting drivers that we feel offer strong explanatory value for understanding the political feasibility of demand reduction: economic incentive structures and temporal and material infrastructures.
