Alina Safronova from the Institute of Energy Systems and Environment at Riga Technical University highlights the vital role of local governments in Europe for achieving climate neutrality. These governments set the course for better energy use, renewable energy growth, and cutting down greenhouse gas emissions.
However, many local authorities struggle to reach their goals. They often lack the necessary skills, tools, and methods to measure emissions and plan for the future. This gap is where the CommitClimate project steps in. Supported by the Interreg Baltic Sea Region program, it aims to equip local governments with modern, data-driven tools.
Challenges for Local Governments
At the project’s start, three main challenges emerged:
- Developing policies to decarbonize energy supply.
- Revamping existing energy and climate plans to meet neutrality goals.
- Finding effective tools to implement energy-efficient solutions and assess different policies.
These issues reveal a paradox: local governments have a significant responsibility but often don’t have the right tools to succeed.
Municipal CO₂ Simulator
One of the standout outcomes of the CommitClimate project is the municipal CO₂ simulator. This tool enables municipalities to:
- Establish a baseline for emissions.
- Analyze emissions by sectors like transport and energy.
- Create models for various policy and technological scenarios.
- Evaluate how certain measures can lead to future emission reductions.
The simulator is designed for both large cities like Riga and smaller areas such as Jokkmokk, which has a low population density. It’s user-friendly and only requires basic information to get started, such as population size and transport fleet details. If detailed data is missing, the model uses national averages for insights.
Engaging Citizens with the Household CO₂ Calculator
Understandably, the actions of citizens also affect a municipality’s overall emissions. That’s why CommitClimate developed the Household CO₂ Simulator. This tool helps individuals:
- Calculate their CO₂ footprint.
- See how everyday habits like transport and energy use impact emissions.
- Compare their results to national averages.
- Identify ways to reduce emissions through specific lifestyle changes.
This calculator is also a valuable resource for municipalities to engage with residents about climate policy and collective solutions.
More than Just a Simulator
Both simulators are available on a single online platform, offering:
- Detailed project information.
- A library of resources, guidelines, and studies.
- Training modules for local officials.
- Examples of successful emission reduction strategies.
- Self-assessment tools for enhancing knowledge.
This platform empowers municipalities to tackle emissions systematically, creating data-driven strategies to address climate challenges.
Citizen Engagement
Throughout the project, engaging with citizens was a priority. Workshops and discussions took place at both local and national levels. A survey of 1,150 citizens in Sweden, Poland, Latvia, and Estonia explored topics like mobility, energy consumption, and attitudes toward climate issues. The results provided insights into public acceptance of various solutions and informed where municipalities should direct their resources.
Conclusion
The CommitClimate project merges modeling, knowledge, and public participation to aid municipalities. With tools like the municipal CO₂ simulator and the Household CO₂ Calculator, local governments can better understand emissions’ causes and effects. This initiative plays a crucial role in climate planning in the Baltic Sea Region.
For more on the CommitClimate Simulator, check here. To read about the Household CO₂ Simulator, visit this link. You can also explore the survey results here.
