Shifting behaviour could reduce CO2 emissions post-lockdown

Data from EDF Energy shows that changes to daily household routines as a result of lockdown could have a long-term positive impact on carbon emissions.

While historically additional energy demand has been created at peak times, typically between 4-7pm, the lockdown has meant that demand has smoothed throughout the day.

Data collected by the energy giant estimates that if just over a third of households continue to use appliances such as their dishwasher and washing machine at non-peak times as they have in lockdown, annual carbon emissions could reduce by half a million tonnes – the equivalent to more than 750,000 cars switching to electric vehicles (EVs).

Overall, the supplier has seen typical residential electricity demand shift and spread-out, with consumption increasing on average by around 3 per cent, and some changes to the times of day when people are consuming their energy.

This, EDF says, is potentially as a result of people waking up later, as they skip their normal morning commute. Overall daytime consumption is up, while there has been minimal change in the evening and overnight period.

EDF added that the increase is partly offsetting the recent downwards trend in demand from residential energy customers. According to Ofgem, typical residential consumption in recent years has dropped by around 6 per cent thanks to improvements in energy efficient appliances and light-bulbs.

In addition, overall business electricity demand has decreased, mainly across companies in leisure, manufacturing, transport and those with offices.

A separate study by EDF of 2,000 UK residents found that while more than three quarters (78 per cent) believe we can all do more to reduce our carbon footprint once restrictions are lifted, only 31 per cent are aware that the time of day they complete household chores impacts their carbon footprint.

The data also found that the restrictions have caused people to reassess the impact of their daily habits on the environment, with 40 per cent planning to take steps to reduce their carbon footprint post-lockdown, rising to 51 per cent of those under the age of 34.

The most popular steps were:

• Walking more (67 per cent)
• Recycling more (52 per cent)
• Purchasing more locally produced products (47 per cent)
• Using the car less (46 per cent)
• Unplugging electronic devices when not in use (37 per cent)

Furthermore, reduced pollution levels resulting from fewer vehicles on the road have sparked an interest in electric vehicles (EVs), with almost a fifth (19 per cent) more likely to consider switching to a low emission EV in the future.

Philippe Commaret, managing director for customers at EDF, added: “The restrictions brought on our lives by the coronavirus pandemic have really made people think about the impact of human activity on the planet.

“It’s encouraging to see how many are embracing the ambition of what lasting changes could be made to reduce their carbon footprint, from considering greener modes of transport to making smarter choices with their energy usage.

“Our data shows that even small adjustments to routines, such as changing the time we do household chores, could have a collective impact as lockdown eases and industries return to work.”

EDF said it will launch an app in the summer which prompts users with energy efficiency advice such as alerting them when the grid is operating at low levels of carbon emissions.

You can read Utility Week’s full interview with Philippe Commaret here.