[I am Richard Brandon]

The “nobles” want to force cuts in the energy usage of the “serfs” in order to control them better, as well as making sure there is enough difference between their two lifestyles to highlight how superior the “nobles” are to the “serfs”."

Sorry - I don't agree with your second part. Highlighting that difference will only hasten the revolution, and they likely will know that. They want to PROFIT from the trading of carbon credits (cf Algore) so that their lifestyles are different (better) for sure. The first part of your response is spot on.

[MrB]

You do have to kind of “get in their brain” to see if they see the threat of revolution as an issue of more significance than their desire to be seen as superior.