The article discusses the importance of demand-side strategies in mitigating the material impacts of the energy transition. As fossil fuels are replaced by renewable energy and low-carbon technologies, the clean energy system may require less mining than the current fossil-fuel system. However, the transition will still involve significant material extraction, waste flows, infrastructure development, and land-use changes, which can create environmental and social pressures. Demand-side solutions can reduce both the climate challenge and material resource requirements by focusing on reducing energy and material use through social and behavioral change, low-carbon infrastructure, and circularity strategies. The article highlights that while many technologies for climate change mitigation are already available, the transition to a low-carbon economy may lead to increased material extraction and environmental impacts. For example, the expansion of renewable energy and electrification of mobility and heating services will increase demand for materials such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements. These materials are often sourced from regions with high environmental and social risks, leading to conflicts with supply chain legislation and environmental protection. The article argues that demand-side strategies are essential to mitigate the risks associated with supply-side solutions. These strategies focus on reducing material use and environmental impacts through efficient resource use, recycling, and reducing the scale of material demand. The article also emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary approaches to address the complex interactions between energy, materials, and social systems. This includes integrating systems analysis and social scientific expertise to develop comprehensive models that consider both energy and material dimensions of the transition. The article concludes that demand-side strategies are crucial for addressing the environmental and social challenges of the energy transition. These strategies can help reduce the scale of the climate challenge and material resource requirements, while also ensuring that the transition is equitable and sustainable. The article calls for further research and policy development to support the implementation of demand-side strategies and to address the complex interactions between energy, materials, and social systems.The article discusses the importance of demand-side strategies in mitigating the material impacts of the energy transition. As fossil fuels are replaced by renewable energy and low-carbon technologies, the clean energy system may require less mining than the current fossil-fuel system. However, the transition will still involve significant material extraction, waste flows, infrastructure development, and land-use changes, which can create environmental and social pressures. Demand-side solutions can reduce both the climate challenge and material resource requirements by focusing on reducing energy and material use through social and behavioral change, low-carbon infrastructure, and circularity strategies. The article highlights that while many technologies for climate change mitigation are already available, the transition to a low-carbon economy may lead to increased material extraction and environmental impacts. For example, the expansion of renewable energy and electrification of mobility and heating services will increase demand for materials such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements. These materials are often sourced from regions with high environmental and social risks, leading to conflicts with supply chain legislation and environmental protection. The article argues that demand-side strategies are essential to mitigate the risks associated with supply-side solutions. These strategies focus on reducing material use and environmental impacts through efficient resource use, recycling, and reducing the scale of material demand. The article also emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary approaches to address the complex interactions between energy, materials, and social systems. This includes integrating systems analysis and social scientific expertise to develop comprehensive models that consider both energy and material dimensions of the transition. The article concludes that demand-side strategies are crucial for addressing the environmental and social challenges of the energy transition. These strategies can help reduce the scale of the climate challenge and material resource requirements, while also ensuring that the transition is equitable and sustainable. The article calls for further research and policy development to support the implementation of demand-side strategies and to address the complex interactions between energy, materials, and social systems.