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Engaging citizens in reducing comsumption-based emissions

active 22 hours, 45 minutes ago

Keywords: cities, citizen engagement, circular economy, sharing economy, consumption-based greenhouse gas emissions, wellbeing, active citizenship.

EU consumption patterns exceed several of the planetary boundaries for environmental impacts, such as climate change and resource use. Private consumption accounted for 63 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions in 2019 in Finland. The same year, Finland’s carbon footprint, or consumption-based emissions per capita, was around 13 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e). In EU (EU-27), per capita greenhouse emissions are about 7,7 tCO2e. In order to meet the 1,5°C temperature goal set in the Paris Agreement, the worldwide carbon footprint of an individual would need to be less than 2,5 tCO2e by year 2030 and continue to decrease after that. This emphasizes the gap between current consumption-based emission levels in EU and the global per capita targets required to avoid surpassing the 1,5°C temperature increase. Additionally, the last five years have seen a continuous increase in the EU consumption footprint.

At the same time, urbanization and overconsumption have generated a sense exclusion, meaninglessness, and loneliness in people.

In this project, we address both problems by creating sustainable transition through circular and sharing economy while increasing wellbeing and enhancing the vitality and attractiveness of cities. Through collaboration with companies, NGOs, associations, and citizens themselves, the project aims to help citizens find sustainable sources of happiness while increasing democracy and sense of community. Various methods are used for engaging different groups of citizens and supporting changes in daily life. The project encourages active citizenship and strengthens local organisations and associations. The engagement of citizens and organizations creates a continuum for civil society initiatives and an active citizen role in shaping the society.

While the cities’ actions towards carbon neutrality decrease the carbon footprint of its residents with, for example, energy use and infrastructure, there is a growing recognition of the carbon footprint of consumption. The International Panel on Climate Change estimates that the changes in private consumption could reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by 40-70%. Private consumption continues to be a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions and therefore, measures to reduce greenhouse emissions and increase circular actions in everyday life are needed.

NOTES:
– We are looking for 2-3 city partners. From each country, a city partner and one or more associations and NGOs are encouraged to join the project.
– The domains mainly responsible for the EU’s consumption impacts are housing, food and household goods, which together account for more than 70% of the total footprint score. In the City of Espoo (Finland), our selected focus areas are goods and services, and food. If relevant, these focus areas would be interesting for a mutual project, but we can plan that further together.

Engaging citizens in reducing comsumption-based emissions

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