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35 - The Energetic City: Between Dreams and Deeds
- Virginie Mamadouh, Anne van Wageningen
- Translated by Gioia Marini
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- Book:
- Urban Europe
- Published by:
- Amsterdam University Press
- Published online:
- 05 February 2021
- Print publication:
- 30 November 2016, pp 283-290
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Summary
The ambitions
Every self-respecting city has defined its CO2 targets and a sustainable energy policy. This is because energy from coal, mineral oil and natural gas (fossil sources) accounts for the majority of greenhouse gas emissions. The Covenant of Mayors (the European partnership of local and regional governments), following the line of the European Union, has set targets for 2030 and aims to reduce CO2 emissions by 20 percent as compared to 1990 levels, to save 20percent of energy and to generate 20 percent renewable energy. In fact, a number of Dutch municipalities aim for more. The Municipality of The Hague is following the national policy that aims for a 30 percent reduction in CO2 emissions and 20 percent for energy savings and energy from renewable sources. Amsterdam aims for a 40 percent reduction in CO2 emissions by 2025 with respect to 1990, while Rotterdam aims to emit no less than 50 percent CO2 reduction by 2025. Haarlem is even aiming for carbon neutrality by 2030.
So the ambitions and goals are looking good. But things are less clear when it comes to realising them. How can these targets be achieved, and what effects will we see in a city that has renounced fossil energy? How will residents and businesses experience all these changes? Is it financially feasible? And if so, why are things going so slowly?
The future picture
Currently the energy demand of private end-users in Northwestern Europe comprises heat for home heating and hot water, electricity and transport fuel. The demand for heat is the largest. Natural gas is currently being used for home heating and tapwater heating in the Netherlands. Most people also use natural gas for cooking. Electricity consumption is increasing because people are buying more electrical appliances. Even the most energy-efficient refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, dishwashers, laundry dryers and TV sets require (a lot of) electricity. Lighting forms just a fraction of electricity consumption. Most cars are still powered by petrol or diesel. This brings not only the problem of CO2 emissions but also the emission of small particulates, which can cause diseases. This is especially a problem in inner cities and close to motorways. The energy consumption patterns of businesses are very different, so this article confines itself to private energy consumption.
8 - COOL: Exploring options for carbon dioxide-reduction in a participatory mode
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- By Willemijn Tuinstra, Researcher National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) in Bilthoven, Netherlands, Marleen van de Kerkhof, Ph.D. Student Institute for Environmental Studies, Vrije Universiteit of Amsterdam, Netherlands, Matthijs Hisschemöller, Research Associate University of Amsterdam, Leiden University, and Erasmus University Rotterdam, Arthur Mol, Professor Environmental Policy at the Department of Social Sciences, Wageningen University, Netherlands
- Edited by Bernd Kasemir, Harvard University, Massachusetts, Jill Jäger, International Human Dimensions Programme, Bonn, Carlo C. Jaeger, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Matthew T. Gardner, Biogen Inc.
- Foreword by William C. Clark, Harvard University, Massachusetts, Alexander Wokaun, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland
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- Book:
- Public Participation in Sustainability Science
- Published online:
- 22 September 2009
- Print publication:
- 10 April 2003, pp 176-186
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Summary
Introduction
The ULYSSES study has been an interesting exercise, unique in its variety of research groups spread all over Europe with different research backgrounds and different foci, yet all embarking on a shared voyage. What does this experience teach us for other initiatives of participatory projects? What news do the voyagers bring to the ones ashore and what do they tell about new coasts and the adventures on their way?
We address this question from the point of view of researchers taking up a similar endeavor, though with a different starting point and looking from a different angle. The authors are involved in the Climate OptiOns for the Long term Project (COOL). The Dutch COOL project focuses on long-term (up to 2050) options to realize far-reaching carbon dioxide emission reductions. Stakeholder dialogues are central to this project. As in the study discussed in the first parts of this volume, the use of knowledge and know-how of experts other than scientific experts is an important element in COOL.
In this chapter we discuss experiences from the ULYSSES project that are especially relevant for other Participatory Integrated Assessment projects like COOL. We will start with a short introduction to the COOL project in order to make clear why the ULYSSES experiences are relevant for COOL. This includes some reflection on differences and similarities between the two research efforts. Then we turn to specific experiences gained from ULYSSES, which focus on the process, the outcomes, and the multilayered purpose of the project.