The shift towards a net-zero built environment is not merely a technological challenge—it is a societal transformation that demands active citizen participation.
As part of the 1st International Conference on Net-Zero Built Environment, Christian Wolfgang Kunze, Alemu Moges Belay, Ahmed Samir Hedar, and Aaditya Dandwate from Smart Innovation Norway presented a chapter that delves into the role of citizen engagement in energy transition. Their work, based on findings from selected EU H2020 projects, outlines key challenges, best practices, and future research directions in co-creation strategies for sustainable development.
Three Phases of Citizen Engagement in Net-Zero Projects
The study identifies three critical phases in engaging citizens effectively within net-zero initiatives:
1. Recruitment Phase: Laying the Foundation for Participation
The first phase of engagement involves attracting and informing potential participants about relevant projects. This stage is crucial for ensuring high levels of interest and initial commitment. Success factors include clear communication, targeted outreach, and the integration of digital and community-based recruitment strategies.
2. Consumer Response Phase: Encouraging Active Participation
Once citizens have joined a project, the next challenge is fostering meaningful engagement. This phase focuses on helping participants integrate new sustainable practices into their daily lives. Strategies include interactive workshops, personalized feedback systems, and incentives that encourage active participation in net-zero initiatives.
3. Persistence Phase: Sustaining Long-Term Commitment
Long-term engagement is essential for lasting impact. The persistence phase seeks to maintain participant interest and transform them into ambassadors for sustainability. Techniques such as community-building, gamification, and public recognition play a role in ensuring continued involvement and advocacy for net-zero solutions.
A Framework for Co-Creation in Net-Zero Projects
The chapter proposes a co-creation framework based on insights from EU-funded projects, leveraging a quintuple helix approach that integrates stakeholders from academia, industry, government, civil society, and the environment. This structured approach facilitates effective collaboration and ensures that citizen participation is embedded in every stage of project development.
The Role of Citizen Engagement in Energy Transition
Citizen engagement is not just a complementary aspect of energy transition—it is a fundamental driver of success. By shifting from passive consumer roles to active participation, citizens can become co-creators of innovative solutions, investors in renewable energy, and advocates for policy change. The concept of “energy citizenship” reinforces the idea that individuals play a crucial role in shaping a sustainable future.
Conclusion: Moving Towards a Participatory Net-Zero Future
The insights from the SENDER project highlight that co-creation and active citizen engagement are essential for achieving a net-zero built environment. By adopting best practices in recruitment, participation, and long-term engagement, stakeholders can create more inclusive and effective sustainability initiatives. As energy democracy gains traction, the path to a cleaner, greener future will be shaped not just by policymakers and industry leaders but by every citizen willing to take part in the transition.
Citizen Engagement and Co-creation in a Net-Zero Built Environment Transitions: Challenges and Best Practices
The shift towards a net-zero built environment is not merely a technological challenge—it is a societal transformation that demands active…
Unlocking the Potential: Estimating ECMWF EPS Value for Enhanced Photovoltaic Power Forecasting!
The SENDER project is pleased to present a recent publication from our partner, CRS4, represented by Marino Marrocu and Luca…
Discover Our Latest Publication from ENLIT Europe 2023: SENDER’s Innovative Approach to Energy Transition!
From November 28 to 30, 2023, the SENDER project proudly showcased its groundbreaking work at the ENLIT Europe 2023 event,…
Open letter on lessons learnt during the workshop “Fostering user engagement for innovative demand response for effective flexibility” second version is now out!
This open letter captures key insights and recommendations from five European projects—HESTIA, SENDER, ReDREAM, ACCEPT, and iFLEX—focused on consumer engagement…
Total and thermal load forecasting in residential communities through probabilistic methods and causal machine learning
The SENDER project is proud to announce the release of a new publication on the prediction of total and thermal…
Possible Barriers to the SENDER Project
Political/Institutional Barriers Political and institutional barriers could significantly impact the SENDER project. For instance, political obstruction, entailing actions or inactions…
SENDER Functional Testing Environment
The SENDER Project aims to upgrade home automation and energy service, and shows how functional testing remains a vital aspect…
CIRED2023 publication : An Interoperability-by-Design approach for designing Smart Grid Solutions
Interoperability is at the heart of the digital transformation of Smart Grid, and any methodology that advocates this concept would…
Communicational aspects in hierarchical real-time control of electric vehicle charging: Available information and its value.
Abstract Smart electric vehicle (EV) charging is a widely studied topic, and multiple different solutions have been proposed in the…
The SENDER project: an integrated demand-response platform
ELECTRICITY consumers in the European Union (EU) suffer from high energy prices and a rampant inflation. Individual action can make…