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Description
According to our research among inhabitants of the Klodzki district (Dolnośląskie province), even though over half of the respondents believe that people have major impact on changes in the environment and climate, as many as 47% do not look at their daily behaviours from this perspective. Technological development allows us to more easily switch from conventional sources of energy to renewable ones, but the level of knowledge about this issue is very low. Hence, we will run an educational campaign on the impact of climate change on our life and on our responsibility for the environment which will encourage people living in our district to particate in civic councils. We will run 5 of them – inviting district inhabitants as well as representatives of local authorities, NGOs, business and science. Together we will discuss climate neutrality of the Ziemia Kłodzka region, renewable energy opportunities, and our responsibility for nature. Within councils we will run a cycle of lectures on climate transformation, energy market and investments in communes, using highly accessible language. We will work on proposals of changes to the local law that will emphasise the importance of environmental protection. We will also set up a communicational and participative platform – an online tool that will allow inhabitants to discuss and exchange ideas for environmentally friendly solutions in their communes and in daily life. We will train volunteers to become ‘green leaders’ – they will advise communes on how to use renewable sources of energy. We will also support selected communes and sub-communes in preparing local energy agendas. We will also start an info point in our office offering advice on sustainable energy solutions for both individuals and communes from our district.
Summary of project results
Our research among the residents of the Kłodzko district (Lower Silesia voivodship) indicated that although more than half of the respondents believed that humans significantly influence environmental and climate change, as many as 47% did not look at their daily behavior in this respect. With the development of technology, we can increasingly move away from conventional energy to renewable energy, but knowledge on this subject was very low.
In response to these challenges, we focused on finding new solutions in cooperation with local governments and the inhabitants of the Kłodzko Region. The project aimed at preventing further climate change by accelerating the decarbonisation of the region by 2050 and ensuring access to safe, sustainable and affordable energy for all residents.
A key element of the project was an education and information campaign and 5 Citizens'' Summits, during which participants gained factual knowledge and discussed local solutions.
We also created a communication and participation platform - an online tool as a place to discuss and exchange ideas for pro-environmental solutions in municipalities and everyday life. We trained volunteers to become ''green leader(s)'' - they advised municipalities on how to use renewable energy sources.
We worked with local communities to find an effective model for using green energy for local needs. This resulted in a resolution to accelerate the decarbonisation of the region by 2050 and ensure access to safe, sustainable and affordable energy for all residents. We set targets to be achieved by 2030, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing the resilience of municipalities to climate change.
The project was successful and was concluded with the signing of the Climate and Energy Agreement for the Kłodzko Region by local governments and citizens. This is an important step in the construction of a new inter-municipal climate and energy policy that includes the active participation of citizens.
The project''s target group includes a wide range of inhabitants of the Kłodzko area - from children and young people participating in educational programmes to older people using energy efficiency services. The project was aimed at all residents of the region, regardless of age or social status, to address the diverse needs and perspectives of the local community.
Our project has contributed to raising public awareness of the energy and climate crisis and the need for action to counter it. Through educational campaigns, Citizens'' Councils and outreach activities, the inhabitants of the Kłodzko Region gained important knowledge about sustainable energy development and ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The introduction of the energy communities model and local energy plans has enabled residents to be involved in decision-making processes regarding energy production and distribution at the local level. This has not only increased public participation, but also laid the groundwork for building more sustainable and climate-resilient communities.
The effects of the project are also visible in the economic sphere. The development of the renewable energy sector and the creation of local energy communities have created new jobs and stimulated the local economy. In addition, reductions in energy costs for households and support for renewable energy businesses have had a positive impact on family budgets and the development of local businesses.