Skip to main content
Jun 19 2023
Love0

Sketches of a New City

By Uncategorized

Context

While no city is the same, one thing all have in common is the challenge of creating a society that is fit for the future. Some of the most present problems citizens living in cities are experiencing are the effects of climate change–such as rising heat or lack of water. On a political level, cities often lack opportunities for citizens to actively engage and be part of decision-making processes on citie’s future.

Far too often, big and ambitious projects end with failures. We want to start in the opposite way – with small sketches; with working material that can in time develop into something durable and resilient’’

Objectives

In this publication, researchers, scholars, practitioners and activists share their insights gained through the direct experience and empirical evidence on the daily struggle of key changemakers at the municipal level aiming to inspire and educate citizens all over the world.

 

Project Background

This publication is one of the results of IPE’s participation in the GEF transnational project “Cities as Places of Hope – Resilient Cities”, where we aimed to vividly illustrate the most recent developments in some European cities and trace the pathways through which they can develop resilience, increase the well-being of citizens, reach ecological sustainability, and achieve more social justice.

Available in

Translations

Available in Macedonian

Available in Greek

 

This report has been realised by the Green European Foundation with the support of the Institute for Political Ecology, and the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this publication.

Feb 01 2023
Love0

Rethinking Heating and Cooling

By Uncategorized

Context

Climate impacts became more apparent within Europe through the record high temperatures in the summer of 2022. This has converged with a cost-of-living crisis exacerbated by the war in Ukraine and consequent shortages of Russian gas and an unprecedented increase in energy prices. Whilst governments in some countries have shown imaginative thinking to deal with the immediate energy crisis, this thinking needs to be extended with a view to long-term changes of behaviour, practices and social norms. Change is essential to limit energy demand in the future as a critical response to the climate crisis.

Ensuring everyone has a living space that they can maintain at temperatures safe for human health should be a government priority.

 

Objectives

This publication argues for a broad rethink of the demand for heating and cooling buildings that goes beyond calls for widespread retrofit. It draws from the earlier ‘Rethinking Energy Demand’ report (October 2022) and the interviews conducted for that report with academics and thought-leaders across Europe. The earlier report considered the need and means to sufficiently reduce energy demand. This policy briefing invites policy makers to extend their thinking beyond the immediate crisis towards a longer-term strategy for delivering the human need for thermal comfort whilst eliminating carbon emissions. The briefing comprises 6 sections and offers 16 policy recommendations, across both efficiency and sufficiency measures.

 

Translations

Available in Spanish

Available in Greek

 

This publication has been realised by the Green European Foundation and Green House Think Tank with the financial support of the European Parliament. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this publication.

Oct 26 2022
Love0

Rethinking Energy Demand

By Uncategorized

Context

Scientists are clear that Europe must significantly reduce its overall energy demand to meet the targets for carbon reduction necessary to limit climate danger. In its latest report on climate mitigation, the IPCC has, for the first time, included a chapter dedicated to reducing demand. This chapter concludes that calling for individual action is insufficient and that a society-wide approach is needed for significant impact, delivering up to 70% decarbonisation.

However, there is a dangerous silence on this matter within the public sphere. Politicians are hesitant to speak on this point, fearing the disruption that this will cause. (2) However, disruption is an inevitable part of any economic change and there is still time to make a choice about the form this disruption takes. Avoiding the topic closes off all options around how to address the impacts.

Objectives

This report explores the need to rethink energy demand in terms of policies, politics and economics. It draws on interviews and round-table discussions with academics researching energy reduction and sufficiency, and post-growth and macroeconomics, and with green politicians.

Energy demand is just a subset of how humanity is exceeding planetary boundaries.

 

The report focuses on the barriers, opportunities and where sufficient changes could be unlocked through new governance, policies and communication, rather than on specific policies for specific sectors.  Whilst this report focuses specifically on reducing direct energy demand, much of the report’s findings could be applied to much wider challenges, including the indirect energy embodied in supply chains, which also need to be reduced if we are to address the interlocking climate and ecological crises. The report is written to inform and provide a resource for policy makers, politicians, climate campaigners and the general public who are motivated to respond to the climate change threat.

Download

Available in Greek

Available in Catalan

Available in Spanish

This publication has been realised by the Green European Foundation and Green House Think Tank with the financial support of the European Parliament. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this publication.

Oct 03 2022
Love0

Rethinking Demand: Sufficiency Policies for a Post-Growth Society

By

About the event

Soaring energy prices are pushing European states to urgently implement energy saving measures in all sectors, as well as financial supports for the most exposed households and businesses. In France, President Macron did not hesitate to speak of “the end of abundance” and the implementation of a “great sobriety plan”. In Germany, particularly exposed to the closing of the Russian gas tap, the Federal State has implemented a series of energy saving measures. Among other things, large gas consumers are required to register and make themselves available in case of a shortage. In Belgium, the government has been refining its energy emergency plan for several months with data from large consumers and is considering ways to help the most vulnerable to pay their bills. 

Are European states ready for the advent of a post-growth society? Can the ecological project of a sober society now inspire public policies? Concretely, what does a post-growth economic policy look like? What indicators exist to assess these policies? These questions and more will be tackled in this cross-country dialogue. 

Context

This event is part of the GEF transnational project Climate Emergency Economy: Rethinking Demand. Building on several years of work exploring what it means to create an economy fit for the climate emergency, GEF and its partners are this year focusing on the crucial question of how to reduce demand for energy and materials. With the support of Green House Think Tank, Etopia, and Green Foundation Ireland, we are exploring how to frame rethinking demand politically, and articulate clear plans for demand reduction so green narratives are better grounded in reality and a shared vision of hope. 

Speakers

To discuss this pressing topic, we will be joined by a fantastic panel of experts: 

  • Yves Marignac – Négawatt, France 
  • Philippe Roman – ICHEC, Belgium 
  • Marula Tsagkari – TU Delft / R&D, Greece 
  • Lasse Thiele – Konzeptwerk, Germany 
  • Nadine Storey – Green House think tank, UK 
  • Leon Leuser – Wachstumswende, Germany 

The session will begin with a brief presentation of our Rethinking Energy Demand report, by co-author Nadine Storey (Green House think tank), followed by discussion with all our panelists.   

Practicalities

Date & Time: Wednesday, October 26th (12:00-14:00 CET) 

Location: Online, via Zoom. Please register in advance via this link.  

Audience: Open to all registered participants. The event will be in English. 

 To continue the conversation on this topic, join us later that same day in Dublin or online at Rethinking Demand: Reality and Opportunities. Make sure to register, as particularly in person spots are limited! 

 

This event is organised by the Green European Foundation with the support of Etopia and the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. 

Sep 12 2022
Love0

Rethinking Demand: Realities and Opportunities (Dublin/online)

By

About the event

The Green European Foundations is bringing together Green House Think Tank (UK), Etopia (Belgium) and Green Foundation Ireland at an event hosted with the Lord Mayor of Dublin Caroline Conroy. This event will launch our Rethinking Demand Framing Paper and explore the complexity of the actions needed to reduce our demand for energy as well as the politics involved in doing so.  

As the urgency of the need to limit emissions to prevent further climate harm grows, and the all-encompassing nature of achieving this dawns, the pivotal role of rethinking how our societies deliver wellbeing for all has become ever more critical. During this conference, sessions will explore how social and business practices, infrastructure, and our governance structures can be transformed to reduce the collective demand for energy and unlock a future without fossil fuels.

Context

This event is part of the GEF transnational project Climate Emergency Economy: Rethinking Demand. Building on several years of work exploring what it means to create an economy fit for the climate emergency, GEF and its partners are this year focusing on the crucial question of how to reduce demand for energy and materials. With the support of Green House Think Tank, Etopia, and Green Foundation Ireland, we will explore how to frame rethinking demand politically, and articulate clear plans for demand reduction so green narratives are better grounded in reality and a shared vision of hope. 

Programme

Please note that all times are indicated in IST/BST. For participants joining online from a CEST time zone, everything will be one hour later.

Our FULL PROGRAMME OF EVENTS is available here. Please see below a short overview:

 

14:00 Address by Dublin’s Lord Mayor Caroline Conroy.

Presentation and discussion of Green House Think Tank’s framing paper “Rethinking Energy Demand” by two of its authors, Jonathan Essex and Peter Sims.

Panel discussion facilitated by Michael Smith (Editor of The Village magazine) with keynote speaker John Gibbons (Environmental journalist and commentator) and Claire Downey (Rediscovery Centre), Davie Philip (Cultivate) and Rosalind Skillen (Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful).

“Circular Economy and Demand Reduction” with Minister Ossian Smyth.

17:00 Closing reflections and drinks reception.

Practicalities

Date and Time: Wednesday, October 26th from 14:00 – 17:30 IST (15:00 – 18:30 CEST) 

Location: In person at the Mansion House in Dublin, Ireland. Please note that you can also follow this event online, via Zoom. 

Audience: Open to all registered participants. The event will be in English. 

Registration: Whether you are joining in person or online, please register in advance via THIS LINK. Spots for in person attendees are limited, so if they fill up you may be placed on a waiting list. With any questions regarding registration, please contact info@greenfoundationireland.ie.   

Related reading

For Energy Independence, the EU Must Think Bigger than Power

Energy Crisis: Keeping the Cost of Living Down While Protecting the Climate

Affordable, Sustainable Housing Can Bring the Green Deal Home

The Devil’s in the Data: How the Energy Crisis Could Reshape Ireland’s Economy

Alexander Langer’s Case for an Ecological Conversion

This event is organised by the Green European Foundation with the support of Green Foundation Ireland, Etopia, and Green House Think Tank and the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. 

Aug 25 2022
Love0

Rethinking Demand: EU Roundtable

By

About the event

As Russia’s war in Ukraine puts pressure on energy supplies across Europe, governments are preparing for an uncertain winter, with concepts like rationing and controlled blackouts suddenly on the table. 

Yet the need to structurally rethink our demand for energy and other key goods is not new. Amid the multiple crises facing Europe and the world, not least the climate emergency, there is a continued failure to acknowledge the role of reducing demand in the rapid and fundamental change needed. Mainstream understanding of demand management focuses on improving efficiency and engaging consumers, which tends to reproduce existing consumption levels with marginally less energy and resource use.  This is insufficient to deliver the reduction in energy use needed as part of a rapid shift to zero carbon and to remain at 1.5°C warming. 

A better understanding of the realities of demand change is required, and exploring how to frame this difficult topic is critical to reaching climate targets and energy independence goals. This expert roundtable will bring together academics, politicians, activists and NGO/foundation representatives to discuss to what extent we need to reduce energy demand and how we can go about it in a just yet decisive manner. Results of this discussion will inform a framing paper to be published in the autumn. 

Context

This event is part of the GEF transnational project Climate Emergency Economy: Rethinking Demand. Building on several years of work exploring what it means to create an economy fit for the climate emergency, GEF and its partners are this year focusing on the crucial question of how to reduce demand for energy and materials. With the support of Green House Think Tank, Etopia, and Green Foundation Ireland, we will explore how to frame rethinking demand politically, and articulate clear plans for demand reduction so green narratives are better grounded in reality and a shared vision of hope. 

Programme

More details on the programme will follow. 

Practicalities

Date and Time: Thursday, 15th September (15:00 – 17:00 CEST)

Audience: This is a closed roundtable. For more information please contact sien.hasker@gef.eu.  

 

This expert roundtable is organised by the Green European Foundation with the support of Green House Think Tank and the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. 

May 27 2022
Love0

Energy Sobriety: Holy Grail of the Green Transition?

By

About the event:

Welcome to the Collaborative University a platform that consists of several sessions revolving around a specific theme. The registered participants meet on a few Saturdays during the year to work on the given subject, receive advice from experts in the field and visit relevant initiatives. The aim? To gain and exchange knowledge and to sharpen one’s critical mind…

Designed by our partner Etopia, GEF is hosting the third and final session of this series on the notion of energy sobriety–seeking to identify the reasons for but also the obstacles to reduce energy consumption in our society.

Participants will work in plenary and smaller groups, enjoying background reading and information, a collaborative space and participative methodology, and input from invited speakers and experts. Key insights from the day will be harvested in the form of podcast interviews and summary reflections for the general public.

Context

This event is part of the GEF transnational project Climate Emergency Economy: Rethinking Demand. Building on several years of work exploring what it means to create an economy fit for the climate emergency, GEF and its partners are this year focusing on the crucial question of how to reduce demand for energy and materials. With the support of Green House Think Tank, Etopia, and Green Foundation Ireland, we will explore how to frame rethinking demand politically, and articulate clear plans for demand reduction so green narratives are better grounded in reality and a shared vision of hope. 

Speakers

Mathilde Szuba – Political sociologist, Sciences Po Lille, Institut Momentum.

Luc Semal – Political scientist, Centre d’Écologie et des Sciences de la Conservation (CESCO), Institut Momentum.

Programme

The morning sessions will cover governance in the context of the end of energy abundance – possible consequences for institutions and potentially for the functioning of representative democracy as we know it. This is followed by lunch and group work in the afternoon.  

Practicalities

Date: June 4th (9:00 – 16:30) 

Location: Auberge de jeunesse Jacques Brel, Rue de la Sablonnière 30, Brussels 

Language: French 

Registrations for the collaborative university are now closed. If you wish to learn more, please email arnaud.deflorenne@etopia.be.  

This session of the Collaborative University is organised by the Green European Foundation with the support of Etopia and with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation.