European local governments are key to achieving climate neutrality, according to research from the Institute of Energy Systems and Environment at Riga Technical University. A new project aims to equip these governments with the tools and knowledge needed to effectively reduce emissions and transition to sustainable energy sources.
CommitClimate Project Addresses Local Government Challenges
Local governments in Europe are responsible for setting strategic directions for energy efficiency, renewable energy development, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions. However, their potential is often limited by a lack of skills, insufficient tools, and difficulties in accurately calculating emissions and developing future scenarios.
The CommitClimate project, funded by the Interreg Baltic Sea Region programme and implemented in cooperation with partners from Latvia, Estonia, Sweden and Poland, seeks to address these limitations by providing data-driven tools and knowledge support.
Local Government Needs and Challenges
Project research identified three primary obstacles hindering effective climate action at the local level: the need for policies promoting decarbonisation of energy supply, limited knowledge on updating energy and climate plans to meet neutrality goals, and a lack of tools for implementing energy-efficient solutions and assessing policy impacts.
CommitClimate CO2 Simulator for Municipalities
The project’s central tool is a municipal CO2 simulator, which allows municipalities to determine their emission baseline, analyze emissions by sector (transport, buildings, energy production, waste, etc.), model different policy scenarios, and assess the impact of specific measures on future emission reductions.
The simulator is being tested in five territories, including Riga, Latvia, representing larger cities, and Jokkmokk, Sweden, representing smaller, rural areas with industrial development plans. The model requires minimal data to operate, including the number of inhabitants, municipal transport fleet size, total building area, public lighting units (LED/non-LED), and transport demand indicators. National averages are used to fill data gaps.
More precise data can be added to improve modelling quality. The tool includes policy switches allowing users to adjust parameters and observe the effects of measures like building renovations and increased renewable energy.
Read about the CommitClimate Simulator, here.
Household CO2 Calculator: A Dialogue with Residents
Recognizing the importance of citizen behavior, the project also developed a Household CO2 Simulator. This tool helps residents calculate their personal carbon footprint, understand how daily habits contribute to emissions, compare their results to national averages, and explore the impact of lifestyle changes.
Municipalities can use the calculator to communicate the importance of climate policy and facilitate discussions about solutions related to mobility, energy saving, and lifestyle habits.
Read about The CommitClimate Household CO2 Simulator here.
Platform: A Single Tool for Knowledge, Data, and Decision-Making
Both simulators are available on a single online platform that also provides detailed project information, a resource library with guidelines and studies, a training module for municipal specialists, examples of best practices, and self-assessment tests.
Citizen Involvement: An Essential Component of the Project
The project prioritized citizen engagement through workshops, discussions, and meetings at both municipal and national levels. A large-scale survey of 1,150 citizens across Sweden, Poland, Latvia, and Estonia examined mobility habits, energy consumption, waste management, lifestyle habits, understanding of climate issues, and assessment of municipal services.
The survey results will help municipalities understand public acceptance of different solutions and identify areas where further clarification is needed.
Read the survey results, here.
The CommitClimate project integrates modelling, knowledge, and public engagement to help municipalities calculate emissions, understand their causes, assess policy impacts, and create effective development scenarios. The municipal simulator, household calculator, and resource platform are intended to be essential tools for climate planning in the Baltic Sea Region.
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