A range of ANSWERs to climate change! Eline Dhooge – POM West-Flanders Iain Dunnett – Suffolk county council / chamber of commerce 12th Oct 2011 Open Days, Brussels

ANSWER is about… 2 In the current world with all its challenges the ANSWER Project aims to match cost efficiency with the required climate change response and to achieve sustainable growth

A range of ANSWERs "The introduction of energy efficiency is not about looking for one single answer. The project ANSWER should deliver several answers... These must be provided through both a tailor-made approach and through looking for common denominators" Dr Rita Kellner-Stoll, Bremen 3

Partnership 4

Project structure 5 COMMUNICATIONS WPC ENGAGING BUSINESSES WPB ENGAGING COMMUNITIES WPA ENERGY REDUCTION INSPIRE + ENGAGE: climate idols INFORM + ENGAGE: teacher trainings PILOTS: real time carbon monitoring INFORM: events & clubs ENGAGE: rewarding INSPIRE: ambassadors & EGBN PILOTS: buildings & cooperation

66 WPA Lower carbon Comunities and Schools ENGAGE COMUNITIES INSPIRE + ENGAGE: climate idols PILOTS: real time carbon monitoring INFORM + ENGAGE: teacher trainings

Teacher trainings (Inf+Eng) 7 Teachers are trained how to involve students in the climate change story. They exchange experiences about how to engage students, learn how to develop educative programmes…

Artists for climate change – Norfolk UK (Eng) 8 Pupils from primary school make an art work about climate change, coached by a real artist.

Climate idols – Växjö (Insp+Eng) famous Swedish persons + 5 challenges: reduce carbon emissions from electricity and fuel, monitor and study your consumption, smart ways of travelling, and local food! Result: 30% less carbon emissions 2010 compared to 2009, showing targets are feasible!

Climometer – real time footprint (Pilots) 10 Real time monitor screens in NOR, SWE & UK, installed in public places as streets, library and schools… in order to create awareness: YOU can do something!

11 WPB Lower carbon Businesses STRENGTHEN BUSINESSES ENGAGE: REWARDING INSPIRE: AMBASSADORS + EGBN CASES PILOTS: BUILDINGS + COOPERATION INFORM: EVENTS + ENERGY CLUBS

Energy clubs: 1+1=3! 12 "We're not blind: the energy policy, production and consumption are fast changing. We need to stay in the game. That's why we founded the energy club. (Vegho, East-Flanders)

Rewarding good practices: charters, awards… 13

Inspiring cases 14 Inspiring energy initiatives for and by businesses from BE, UK, GER & SWE!

Engaging energy campaign Energy campaign helps over 500 businesses engage their staff!

Pilots: Ambitious buildings 16 As business manager, YOU are the one in charge, so if you decide to go as green as possible, that's what will happen! (Manager International Tours, West-Flanders)

WPC Communications 17

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Project history Partner search (existing & new) Inspiring ideas Successful Greenest county & Experience with EU projects (UK) High level of enthusiasm Common interests & needs Project proposal 19 Approval

ANSWERs success = good relationship Key factors for ANSWERs success: –All partners are genuinely interested in making the project a success, willing to cooperate with a large motivation! –High level of professionalism –Importance of organizing social activities alongside meetings –Trust in partnership grows along the project! –Relatively low staff turnover 20

Continuity after ANSWER? –Embed individual actions into local delivery plans E.g. UK: private sponsorships for Carbon Charter, establishing a fund to maintain community projects –Willingness to participate in new EU Interreg projects (limited options) E.g. Carbonet (stimulating low carbon services & products) and North Sea Cluster project –Uncertainty of cofinancing for local government due to financial crisis (UK, FL) 21

Added value of EU project –50% extra money from EU > more actions ANSWER gave us the chance to strenghten and extend our energy related work. Flanders –Inspiration and multiplication of actions –Engaging each other when struggling the same difficulties –Broader view: different regions, different framework and so approaches –Accessing different skills (e.g. Climometer) 22

23 Contact ANSWER project Iain Dunnett Suffolk county council & Chamber of commerce Eline Dhooge West-Flanders Development agency

24 Supported by ANSWER is about people, who can take local action for global change!

Thank you for listening! Any questions? 25