What everyday life could look like in a climate-neutral country

Imagine Slovakia deciding to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to a minimum by 2050. Our publication Decarbonising Slovakia: Pathways to climate neutrality in 2050 explores how this could be done, using a scenario called ZEM 2024 (Zero-emission measures, version from 2024). It combines modern technologies, smarter infrastructure and services, and gradual changes in how we live our lives. These shifts could influence nearly everything, from how we get around to how we eat, shop and heat our homes.

Slovenská verzia článku je tu: Ako by mohol vyzerať bežný život v klimaticky neutrálnej krajine

Shorter distances, better transport: One of the key ideas is that if work, schools and services are easier to reach, people will travel shorter distances and often without needing a car. When shops and offices are closer to where people live, it becomes much easier to walk, cycle or take public transport. Improvements like safer streets, better buses and connections, or new community transport options could make everyday travel more pleasant, especially in towns and cities.

Cars won’t disappear, but they might be used differently. Where electric vehicles make sense, especially when powered by clean electricity and used efficiently, they could become part of the mix.

Homes that use less energy and feel better inside: In housing, we might see more focus on comfort, simplicity and energy savings. Good insulation, reliable heating and a pleasant indoor climate could become the norm. If homes are better built or renovated, and if families choose to lower their energy use, they might be able to switch to smaller, cheaper, cleaner heating systems. Less energy use also means less reliance on fossil fuels. People might even become own energy producers thanks to solar panels and heat pumps.

And it’s not just about winter. As summers get hotter, homes will need to stay cool too. That doesn’t always mean more air conditioning. Smart design, like shading, green roofs, and materials that keep buildings cooler, could help reduce the need for cooling while still keeping spaces comfortable.

Eating differently: Our daily choices around food also matter. When households plan meals well and avoid waste, it cuts costs and reduces the energy and resources needed to grow and transport that food. There might be growing interest in plant-based meals too, as they’re becoming tastier, more affordable and easier to find. If people start including them more often, the shift could happen gradually and naturally, without pressure or drastic changes. The point is to have a real choice, one that fits different lifestyles, budgets and habits.

Buying better, wasting less: More people are also rethinking how and what they buy. If we get used to keeping things longer, fixing what breaks, or even sharing tools and appliances with neighbours, life can become simpler and less expensive. It also means less rubbish, fewer shopping trips and lower stress.

This isn’t just about personal values, it also depends on what’s on offer. If retailers and manufacturers respond to demand for durable, repairable and high-quality products, sustainable choices will become more accessible for everyone.

Of course, not everyone has the same ability to make changes. Some households can afford home improvements or new appliances; others are already stretched thin. If the shift to climate neutrality is going to work, it needs to be fair. Solutions must be designed to avoid placing extra pressure on those already struggling, and not just reward those with more financial sources.

Every time we use less energy, whether at home, on the road or in industry, we reduce the need to build new power sources. But if energy demand (especially for electricity) doesn’t decrease significantly, Slovakia might need new electricity production capacity. Renewables like wind and solar can cover part of the energy needs, but because they vary with the weather, other backup solutions are needed too, potentially including a new nuclear plant. If there’s no social agreement on cutting demand or expanding generation, the risk of energy shortages could grow. It all comes down to shared decisions: how much energy do we really want to use in the future and how should we produce it?

Reaching climate neutrality won’t be one dramatic leap, but thousands of small choices. Day by day, the way we travel, live, shop and eat will shape the bigger picture. If we want a healthy, stable and affordable life in 2050, those choices are worth making.

The publication is available in english at the Institute for Forecasting of Slovak Academy of Sciences.