CommitClimate: Towards Energy Transition and Climate Neutrality in the Baltic Sea Region Municipalities

Status: Ongoing projects

The project aims to increase the capacity of municipality staff and local stakeholders to deal with energy transition issues. In the project CommitClimate, cities will develop, test and deploy a computer-based simulation model to create sustainable energy and climate action plans to reduce carbon footprint.

Municipalities and cities are important drivers of decarbonizing energy systems. They are responsible for setting a strategic direction to increase energy efficiency, produce renewable energy, and reduce local greenhouse gas emissions. They are essential in mobilizing stakeholders and citizens to introduce energy solutions for climate neutrality. However, this potential is not yet well exploited due to a lack of skills and supportive tools. It is very difficult for municipalities to calculate and understand today’s CO2 emissions and even more to understand different possible future scenarios.

The major practical outcome is a new computer-based simulation model called CommitClimate Simulator for carbon footprint calculation and future scenario modeling. Local authorities will develop, test, and use the Simulator to create municipal sustainable energy and climate action plans for reaching climate neutrality. The technical work on the development and use of the modeling tool goes hand in hand with information & communication activities and training for target groups and citizens. All results and experiences will be summarized in an interactive online platform with step-by-step explanations, the CommitClimate Simulator, and training materials enabling its use in energy transition planning for every municipality.

Duration, funding, partners:

Funding: Interreg Baltic Sea Region
Budget: Total € 2 420 000, EU contribution € 1 930 000, Riga Municipality budget € 196 908, EU contribution € 157 526.
Duration: 01.01.2023. – 31.12.2025.
Partners: Lead partner – Riga Technical university (LV); Rīga City Council (LV), Tallin University of Technology (EE), Sustainable Business Hub Scandinavia AB (SE), Association of Municipalities Polish Network “Energie Cities” (PL), Municipality of Palecznica (PL), Cēsis Municipality (LV), Municipality of Raciechowice (PL), Enerhack Foundation NGO (EE), Lapplands Municipal Association (SE).