From October 15th to 17th, our team gathered for an intense yet rewarding three-day project meeting in Vienna. With a packed agenda, we dove deep into the progress and future direction of our LOCALISED project. The atmosphere was one of collaboration, problem-solving, and renewed energy as we moved closer to achieving our project goals.

Day 1: Setting the Stage and Diving In

We kicked off the first day with a team-building exercise that set the tone for open communication and teamwork. The icebreaker helped bridge gaps between new and existing team members, ensuring we started on the right foot.

Afterwards, we jumped into project discussions, with activity leaders presenting objectives, current challenges, and open questions, while referencing the upcoming sessions for further discussion. 

One of the key highlights of the day was the session on the LOCALISED Climate Action Strategiser (CAST). We reviewed its development, explored its links to other project activities, and strategized the next steps for data integration. The day followed up with the Social Impact Assessments (SIA) presentation, where a thorough literature review is currently taking place, and by parallel working groups focused on tackling specific data challenges and integration tasks.

In the evening, we enjoyed a social dinner at the traditional Viennese Heurige “Zwölf Apostelkeller.” The casual atmosphere fostered great conversations and helped strengthen our team’s bonds.

Day 2: Deeper Discussions and Problem Solving

The second day of the meeting saw us diving even deeper into the technical aspects of the project. We began with a group session on finalising our interdisciplinary project glossary, a crucial piece for ensuring that we are all speaking the same language. The session on LOCALISED data was particularly insightful, as it addressed our hurdles we have been facing, from data quality and integration challenges.

Very fruitful was the presentation of the Citizen Engager development: the results from the testing activities with vulnerable groups in the city of Barcelona  were promising. The following working group sessions allowed us also to collaborate intensively on targeted issues. Moreover, in the dedicated sessions we discussed how to proceed in terms of scientific output and organisation and participation in specific events to spread the knowledge about our tools and results. 

The day ended with a wrap-up of the ongoing work, and many of us opted to join a sightseeing walk through Vienna, ending at the famous Prater where we enjoyed amusement park games. The evening was also filled with good vibes thanks to the live music provided by some of our talented LOCALISED members.

Day 3: Closing with Concrete Next Steps

On the final day, we started with an inspiring session organised by our project partner, the Department of Energy Planning of the City of Vienna , where local city officials shared valuable insights on Vienna’s climate policy and ongoing implementation projects. This local perspective offered fresh ideas that could feed into our project’s broader goals.

The rest of the day was packed with strategic planning, from the presentation of the upgrade of the Net Zero Business Consultant to methodologies for adjusting pathways. Another collective discussion and group work ensured we have a comprehensive view of LOCALISED impact moving forward.

At the end of the day, we focused on communication and exploitation activities, identifying the next steps for promoting the project results and capitalising on the progress made so far. Before closing, we gathered feedback from all the consortium to reflect on the discussions and outcomes of the previous days.

Each session built on the discussions from previous days, ensuring that we left with clear next steps for tool development, stakeholder engagement, and outreach strategy. It was clear that we made substantial progress, with many challenges addressed and new ideas taking shape. 

In recent and upcoming years, Europe faces the challenge of fighting climate change and its adverse effects. One of its primary objectives in this effort is to reduce emissions to achieve net zero by 2050. To this end, mitigating measures are being implemented to effectively reduce pollutant emissions, with the energy system being a key element in this process due to the integration of renewable energy sources, extreme climate events, and fluctuating energy demands.

When discussing renewable energy, we often focus exclusively on its benefits. However, it is essential to consider their limitations. Most renewable energy sources are intermittent and cannot be fully controlled, meaning electricity supply may be disrupted due to weather conditions. Climate change and meteorological factors will have a dual impact, affecting the total energy generated and introducing additional risks from physical impacts. Furthermore, as efforts to electrify sectors such as transportation and industry increase to reduce emissions and meet environmental targets, electricity demand inevitably rises. It leads to a growing system with uncontrolled energy generation and increasing demand. Therefore, measures must be taken to prevent blackouts and ensure a stable electricity supply, as more people will be impacted if these needs are unmet.

The intermittency of renewable energy generation requires regions to implement strategies or contingency plans to address potential energy shortfalls. Relying on backup systems that use fossil fuels should be avoided, as this could lead to spikes in emissions, undermining decarbonization efforts. An alternative approach is to incorporate a diverse mix of renewable energies combined with new technologies applied to the grid, such as batteries or smart grids. Smart grids are networks that use digital and advanced technologies to monitor and manage the flow of electricity from various generation sources to meet the fluctuating demands of consumers. It can help maintain a stable electricity supply with low emissions. To ensure an efficient and effective approach, it is crucial to understand the region’s specific resources and circumstances.

In light of the points outlined, it is critical to take action now to ensure that energy systems remain secure and reliable as Europe transitions to a low-carbon future. It is why the LOCALISED project is working to identify the risks highlighted and determine the best measures each region can implement, considering its specific circumstances. The goal is to ensure a safe and resilient electricity supply throughout the transition.

Decarbonisation is one of the key goals of the LOCALISED project, which aims to close the information gap between national plans and local needs for energy transition and climate change adaptation. It is crucial for local governments, citizens and companies to understand and effectively use the tools that support these processes.

An example of decarbonisation efforts is the construction of photovoltaic farms that enable clean energy production. A study visit by Obszar Metropolitalny Gdańsk Gdynia Sopot (OMGGS) local government representatives to the Slupsk Technology Incubator was an excellent opportunity to explore this topic. They were shown the step-by-step process of setting up a photovoltaic farm – from analyzing the location, to developing the technical concept, to selecting a contractor and monitoring the efficiency of the installation.

The visit provided the local authorities with valuable insights into investments in renewable energy sources. Through direct contact with experts, participants better understood the technical and administrative aspects of such projects. This experience fits in with the goals of the LOCALISED project, supporting local governments in their efforts to decarbonise and achieve the European Green Deal. During the visit, while talking to participants, the aims and objectives of the LOCALISED project was also presented, promoting it to local authorities.

A photovoltaic farm is an investment that brings great opportunities, but also some challenges. It allows a significant reduction in CO2 emissions and energy costs, but requires careful planning, consideration of changing regulations and a lengthy process of obtaining the necessary documentation.

During the visit, participants learned about different models of energy communities and technical aspects, such as the selection of photovoltaic panels and monitoring systems. Attention was drawn to the need for constant supervision of processes at the farm and regular technical inspections to ensure optimal performance.

LOCALISED is producing cutting-edge scientific results and new knowledge to support climate planners and policymakers across Europe. Developed through extensive research and harmonization of existing climate action resources, a new paper and the accompanying Integrated Database has been developed with a detailed, comprehensive, reproducible and extendable repository of climate measures (direct impact on emissions) and instruments (implementation aids and policies).

The database includes a total of 188 mitigation measures, 191 adaptation measures, and 97 measures of both response types, along with 609 associated instruments, harmonized from 13 different known repositories and merged into one database. For monitoring their outcomes 93 Sustainable Development Goals relevant indicators are also included.

Despite growing climate action plans since the 2015 Paris Agreement, implementation remains slow. Existing climate action databases typically focus on a particular type of response, sector, hazard, or type. In parallel, national governments and international initiatives provide tools and guidelines to facilitate the development of climate action plans. Therefore, with a focus on the real-world challenges faced by climate planners, the Integrated Database combines a scientific approach with the practical needs of climate planners and practitioners. This unified framework is designed to address the disconnect between existing climate databases and practical planning needs, offering an essential resource for improving climate plan quality, facilitating implementation, and identifying synergies and trade-offs.

The LOCALISED project research team reviewed nine existing databases of adaptation and five mitigation databases, comprising a total of 7.130 adaptation actions and 11.409 mitigation actions, and detected a lack of alignment with climate planning practices and claims. Furthermore, a lack of coherency regarding the level of abstraction of climate actions and their role in the implementation process has been discovered. Given that, the team created a new Integrated Database of adaptation and mitigation measures in Europe, focusing exclusively on climate planning and implementation practices. Firstly, specific and transferable mitigation and adaptation measures and instruments through an originally designed decision tree has been identified. Secondly, the collection of climate actions has been harmonized in a unique framework based on one of the biggest climate planning initiatives: the Sustainable and Energy Climate Action Plans (SECAPs) by the Covenant of Mayors. 

Overall, the Integrated Database of adaptation and mitigation measures: (1) classifies and relates the different types of climate actions; (2) provides data that may improve the quality of climate plans and facilitate implementation; (3) allows a better perspective of systematic problems by identifying potential synergies and trade-offs; and (4) defines and characterizes measures using a framework that draws on actual practice.

In a nutshell: this integrated resource is set to play a crucial role in helping Europe meet its climate targets.

From June 25 to 27, LOCALISED was present at EURESFO24 and hosted a workshop titled “What Kind of Tools and Practices Do City and Regional Administrations Need to Make Urban Resilience a Reality?“. Our goal was to empower municipalities to develop effective, resource-efficient, and socially inclusive climate strategies through practical tools and collaborative discussions.

Workshop Overview

The workshop addressed the specific challenges faced by small and medium-sized cities and regions in developing climate action plans. With around 80 participants from diverse fields—including academia, policymaking, and the private sector—the discussion aimed to provide practical insights and strategies for making urban resilience a reality. Indeed, the variety of participants enabled us to collect a wide range of perspectives, by enriching the dialogue, and allowing for a more comprehensive exploration of the potential solutions in for mitigation and adaptation plans.

Key topics included:

• Developing Ambitious Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAPs) with Limited Resources: How can smaller municipalities create climate action plans with constrained budgets?
• Integrating Mitigation and Adaptation Measures: What are the best practices for combining efforts to reduce emissions and adapt to climate impacts, while also considering the social implications of these measures?
• Aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): How can climate action plans be linked to broader SDGs to ensure comprehensive and synergistic development?
• Engaging Citizens Effectively: What strategies can help municipalities engage citizens as agents of change?
• Navigating Governance and Stakeholder Dynamics: How can cities and regions ensure collaboration across various governance levels, departments, and stakeholder groups?

Expert Contributions

We were honoured by the presence of distinguished speakers:

• Fabian Reitemeyer, Climate Change Officer at the District Office of Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg
• Ramon Canal Oliveras, Director of the Technical Programming Office, Barcelona City Council
• Elena Lacort, Head of Climate Change and Air Quality Office, Barcelona Metropolitan Area

Their practical insights enriched the dialogue, offering valuable perspectives on overcoming common obstacles in climate action planning.

Showcasing LOCALISED Tools

The workshop featured demonstrations of two key tools developed by the LOCALISED project:

• The LOCALISED Climate Action Strategiser: Presented by Tobias Gralke, Project Developer & Researcher at Climate Media Factory, this tool automates the generation of tailored climate action measures for SECAPs. It enables municipalities to customise emissions reduction solutions to their specific needs and resources.
• The LOCALISED Citizen Engager: Maxie Riemenschneider, Scientific Manager at the Austrian Society for Environment and Technology, introduced this tool, which focuses on co-creating climate strategies with citizens. It facilitates the inclusion of public input in both overarching strategies and specific measures, fostering community involvement and support.

Feedback and Knowledge Exchange

After presenting the tools, participants from various countries and professional backgrounds joined different groups and provided invaluable feedback on the LOCALISED tools, but also exchanged their expertise on decarbonization pathways and best practices. Their inputs have been crucial for refining the tools to better meet the needs of cities and regions across Europe and increase our knowledge.

Marketplace Engagement

In addition to the workshop, LOCALISED was also present at the  marketplace and many visitors explored our initiatives, tools, activities, and outcomes. The booth also served as a platform for gathering interest from participants eager to engage in the co-design and testing of our tools.

LOCALISED participation at EURESFO24 underscored our commitment to supporting small and mid-sized cities in their climate action efforts. For more information about our tools, please visit the website here.

The participation of LOCALISED in EURESFO24 has been made possible thanks to the collaboration of the following people: Christiane Walter from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), Jordi Pascual, Nadia Soledad Ibañez Iralde and Enric Mont Lecocq from IREC – Catalonia Institute for Energy Research, Maxie Riemenschneider from ÖGUT – Austrian Society for Environment and Technology, Sara Dorato and Katja Firus from T6 Ecosystems srl and Tobias Gralke and Bernd Hezel from Climate Media Factory.