I'm not sure it's that easy: if you just reduce consumption but don't touch production, someone with less scruples than you can buy (slightly) cheaper oil and use it.
I guess the big deal is to come up with alternatives that can compete on cost with oil?
It will definitely have to match or exceed performance based on cost.
Right now, I think there is no truly viable alternative for electricity generation in most low income countries. Not enough money for renewables + battery storage. Not enough money for nuclear or hydro.
We can only hope that more advanced countries can create the battery technology we desperately need for the whole world.
> Not enough money for renewables + battery storage. Not enough money for nuclear or hydro.
Do you mean those alternatives are more expensive per Joule, or do you mean that the alternative have higher up front capital costs?
For the later, the global financial system can help: capital from rich country is more than happy to invest in poor countries as long as the risk-adjusted returns are there.
(Thus driving down the risks is important!)
There's also still the replacement of kerosene lamps by eg electric lights that going on.
Forcing reduced consumptipn will lower costs of alternative energy sources. It's already happening anyway, but governments can enact policies that accelerate this trend.
I guess the big deal is to come up with alternatives that can compete on cost with oil?