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Description
In accordance to the Fifth Assessment Report, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which consisted of 1300 independent scientific experts concluded that there is a 95 percent probability that in the past 50 years the human activities were a cause of the rise of the global temperature. It is estimated that more than 15% of the global GreenHouse Gasses were generated due to the U.S. household consumption in 2009. The households expenditures were divided into 5 categories, which domestic carbon footprint share was calculated as follows: housing (33.6%), transportation (29.8%), services (19.3%), food (16.7%) and clothing (0.1%). It is essential to notice the correlation between the households’ income and carbon footprint, which grows proportionally.
Natural Resources Defense Council as methods that each individual can undertake are: driving, hybrid vehicles, use of a public transport or cycling, use of the household appliances and devices of a lower energy consumption, “green” technologies and being involved in community-level projects promoting awareness of climate change causes and effects.
The Greecoin project tries to answer the above issues via “green” technologies and a community-level awareness promotion. Based on the interdisciplinary work among polish and norwegian participants the concept of a system based on the new technologies, smart city concept and game theory emerged, promoting the pro ecological human behaviour. It is expected to benefit both environment by lowering the carbon footprint levels within a city and citizens by reduction of the social disparities by green actions reward system.
GUT- technological development of the system
SGH- valuation model of the Greencoin currency
SIM -cooperation within the city council and citizens engagement
OsloMet- research on technological engagement solutions, front-end research
APS- statistical data analysis
UiS-environmental solutions research and selection
Summary of project results
The Greencoin project was initiated to promote sustainable behaviors by developing a local digital currency, incentivizing ecofriendly practices among the community. This initiative emerged from the need to address environmental challenges and encourage a shift towards sustainability at a local level.
To achieve its goals, the project implemented several key activities: development of the PULA Application, creating methods of valuating actions and rewards, building partnership, community engagement and promotion, developing model of valuing actions and rewards. These activities enabled testing the concept in real conditions in Gdańsk, Poland. The the PULA app, was designed to facilitate the use of the digital currency. It allowed users to earn virtual coins by engaging in sustainable activities, which could then be spent at participating local businesses. The project established a network of strategic and local partners, including universities, businesses, and NGOs.
The project yielded significant insights into the effectiveness of digital currencies in promoting sustainable behaviors. The PULA app engaged users, demonstrating the potential of digital incentives to motivate eco-friendly actions. Strategic and local partners enhanced the project’s reach and impact, indicating the importance of collaborative efforts in sustainability initiatives. The PULA app was well-received, with users actively participating and earning rewards for sustainable actions. A strong network of partners contributed to the project’s success, exceeding initial expectations in terms of engagement and contributions. The project raised awareness and encouraged sustainable behaviors within the community, supporting local green businesses and services. Looking ahead, the Greencoin project presents numerous opportunities for future development. There is potential to expand the use of the digital currency to broader communities and additional sustainable activities. Building on the success of local events, future initiatives can further integrate educational and practical sustainability programs. The model established by the Greencoin project can be scaled and replicated, promoting global sustainability efforts. Using the engine of the PULA App, the applicability of new technologies can be further explored (e.g. blochain technology, AI and ML, IoT devices, big data analytics).
Summary of bilateral results
The bilateral partnership with Norwegian entities, OsloMet and the University of Stavanger, was essential to the Greencoin project''s success.These partnerships brought valuable expertise, particularly in leading crucial work packages, and facilitated the exchange of knowledge through meetings in Stavanger, Norway.The project significantly benefited from the Norwegian partners, resulting in shared advancements like the development and enhancement of the PULA application, which incentivizes eco-friendly activities through a local digital currency. This collaboration improved knowledge and understanding of digital incentives and their impact on promoting sustainable behaviors.Key results at the bilateral level include successful user engagement with the PULA app and raising awareness of sustainable behaviors within the community, supporting local green businesses and services. The partnership also led to wider effects, attracting interest from other cities and stakeholders interested in implementing similar solutions.Plans to continue the bilateral collaboration with Norwegian partners are in place, with a formal cooperation agreement established. All project partners have agreed to seek public funding to implement the system fully and conduct a long-term pilot in a medium-sized city in Poland or Norway. After the reporting period, partners plan to submit a joint grant application with an agreed framework, aiming to secure resources for further development and produce additional journal papers.