PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
More and more people are willing to do something about rising energy prices, increasingly fragile supply structures and climate change. Hence the EmpowerLIFE project provides concrete, simple and effective measures that can be co-created and implemented by local communities following a do-it-yourself (DIY) approach.
The measures will cover three categories:
- Lifehacks: rolled out as online challenges using an existing app. They are simple and can be implemented individually (e.g. sealing windows).
- Workshops: measures that require practical instruction and additional support (e.g. insulation of storey ceilings).
- Community projects: more complex, needing to be implemented jointly and requiring resources and ongoing support (e.g. community gardens, car sharing).
The target local communities are constituted spatially (neighbourhoods, etc.), socially (work colleagues, associations, etc.) or thematically (solar self-construction groups, etc.). EmpowerLIFE Hubs are installed to provide these communities with spaces to co-create and implement innovative climate solutions and offer tools, material and expertise. The project activities will be embedded in existing structures and are realised in close cooperation with established initiatives and civil society organisations.
Crucial for the success of the project is the activation of local communities via several promising channels:
- Develop follow-up channels with existing structures (energy consulting, e5 teams, etc.).
- Broadly advertise the participation options via communication channels.
- Cooperate with mobilisation partners (companies, associations, etc.) to share opportunities to participate with interested citizens and groups.
Existing initiatives and stakeholders will also be invited to participate in a local network to facilitate knowledge sharing, cooperation and to lead to new climate solutions. In addition a small project fund will allow support for the initiatives' own activities.
The consequences of climate change are becoming increasingly noticeable. In addition, global developments in the energy sector including price increases and supply uncertainties are becoming a concrete challenge for more and more people. In many cases, established daily routines and lifestyles are being questioned. Increasingly, local communities are taking action, using options within their own sphere of influence to develop and implement low-threshold, self-applicable climate measures.
EmpowerLIFE aims to tap into this potential for climate action, thereby supporting regional, national and EU-level climate mitigation and adaptation policy targets. The focus of the local action lies in the region of Vorarlberg, Austria. The main approach is to enhance local communities, such as geographical communities in neighbourhoods; interest-based communities including local civil society organisations or associations; work-related networks of colleagues; and online communities, to implement workable, low-threshold solutions independently. To this end, the project will develop numerous support networks, hubs and online tools.
OBJECTIVES
The overall objective of the project is the avoidance of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while at the same time increasing resilience to climate change effects and international energy crises.
Against this background, the project will contribute to the implementation of the EU climate targets and legislation; the integrated national energy and climate plan for Austria 2021-2030, including the national pledge to the goals of the Paris Agreement (reduction of Austrian emissions by 40% minimum until 2050); and the Energy Autonomy+ 2030 strategy in Vorarlberg, which includes a GHG reduction target of 50% by 2050 compared to 2005. Furthermore, certain actions such as roof greening or community gardens will also contribute to the EU Biodiversity strategy for 2030.
The specific project objective is to develop and implement climate protection measures in close cooperation with local communities (neighbourhoods, associations, work colleagues or virtual groups) and existing initiatives in Vorarlberg. The focus is on practical, do-it-yourself (DIY), low-threshold climate protection measures, social innovations, and solutions which can be implemented independently by these small communities or even by individuals as an alternative to investment-intensive technologies that would require additional capacities and resources from external actors.
RESULTS
1. Energy saving – reduction in primary use in GWh/year:
Start: 2,450 GWh/year
Project end: 2,414 GWh/year
3/5 years after project end: 2,400 GWh/year
2. Reduction of GHG emissions in tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year
Start: 402,500 t/CO2 eq/year
Project end: 396,500 t/CO2 eq/year
3/5 years after project end: 394,268 t/CO2 eq/year
