How can energy efficiency and demand-side management contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions?

• A. By reducing energy consumption and shifting usage to times of lower grid emissions, lowering emissions per unit of electricity produced.
• B. By increasing the use of high-emission power plants.
• C. By banning all electrical devices during peak hours.
• D. By exporting all demand to fossil fuel plants.

Answer: (A)

Energy efficiency lowers how much electricity we need, while demand-side management shifts when we use energy to match when the grid is cleaner. When overall demand drops, fewer power plants run, or cleaner plants can cover the needed load, which cuts total greenhouse gas emissions. Shifting usage to times with lower grid emission intensity means the same amount of electricity is produced with a cleaner mix, so emissions per unit of electricity decrease. In short, using less energy and using it at better times reduces the emissions associated with power generation. Options that rely on burning more high-emission plants, banning devices during peak hours, or sending all demand to fossil-fuel plants would raise emissions or be impractical.