Big lifestyle changes needed to limit global warming to 1.5°C, says Sitra - Helsinki Times

“The 1.5°C lifestyle necessitates changes in our everyday habits at home, work and leisure.”

Sitra on Thursday published a report together with its international partners modelling the changes required to pep global warming below the threshold regarded as crucial for preventing the worst irreversible impacts of climate change. The report examines roughly 30 alternatives for closing the so-called lifestyle gap, such as living in smaller spaces, switching away from car use and adopting predominantly plant-based diets.

People in Finland, it concluded, must reduce emissions arising from their consumption habits by 75 per cent in the next 10 years and by over 90 per cent by 2050.

Finns currently have an annual lifestyle carbon footprint of an estimated 10,400 kilos, the bulk of which is made up of emissions from transport (2,790 kilos), housing (2,500 kilos) and food consumption (1,750 kilos).

Sitra has calculated that the footprint could be reduced by 1,500 kilos by using public transport for private travel, by 1,120 kilos by adopting a vegan diet and 1,060 kilos by switching to an electric vehicle. A full list of the measures and their estimated impact on carbon footprints can be found below.

Consumers, it acknowledged, alone cannot create the change needed.

“The required levels of reductions, exceeding 90 per cent based on current lifestyle carbon footprints, imply a radical rethink of sustainability governance and the need for new business models to shift the paradigms on which we base infrastructure, economies and consumer lifestyles,” the report reads.

The average annual lifestyle carbon footprint is estimated at 7,600 kilos in Japan, 4,200 kilos in China, 2,800 kilos in Brazil and 2,000 kilos in India. The footprints should be decreased to 2,500 kilos by 2030, 1,400 kilos by 2040 and 700 kilos by 2050, according to Sitra.

“This would require very ambitious levels of introduction in Finland and Japan, such as over 75 per cent for around 30 options,” it said.

From over 10,000 to less than 1,000 kilos of CO2 emissions by 2050

Estimated carbon footprint reduction (CO2e)
1,560	Not using a car for private travel (public transport)
1,120	Adopting a vegan diet
1,060	Switching to an electric car
900	Adopting a (lacto-ovo) vegetarian diet
810	Switching to a hybrid car
790	Using renewable energy in heating
700	Improving fuel-efficiency of vehicle
610	Using a heat pump in heating
580	Improving energy-efficiency of buildings
560	Using wind power
540	Renting a guest room to travellers (23m2 for 27 weeks)
450	Replacing dairy products with plant-based alternatives
410	Living (80%) closer to workplace
400	Using an electric bicycle instead of car for commutes
370	Reducing domestic and international flights
370	Using public transport instead of car for commutes
360	Replacing red meat with chicken and fish
340	Sharing a ride with one person
230	Working remotely (office workers)
220	Reducing living space by roughly 10%
140	Saving hot water
130	Reducing the consumption of sweets and alcohol
130	Lowering room temperature by 2°C
130	Improving efficiency of food production
50	Reducing food loss in production
40	Improving efficiency of household appliances
40	Reducing food loss in households

Aleksi Teivainen – HT

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2019-05-17 03:03:31Z
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