Chapter 5 - Boosting global climate action
With the European Green Deal, the EU aims to become the globe’s first climate-neutral continent. Achieving this ambition will require many actions that will largely happen at the level of the Member State, local actors, or even households. In addition to achieving climate neutrality, the Green Deal aims to ensure that the transition to a climate-neutral future is a just and inclusive one. That means ensuring workers in carbon intensive sectors benefit from the transition to cleaner economies. It also means creating opportunities for everyone to take part in research and climate actions. The good news is we don’t have to arrive at the climate challenge empty-handed. Thanks to EU funded projects, we now have a treasure trove of tools at our disposal.
Towards an inclusive and climate-neutral future
The mySMARTLife project is providing a number of strategies to make carrying out an energy efficient home renovation easier. In addition to having created an online database of vetted providers, the project is using smart metering technology to help homeowners better manage their energy use. The WINBLUE project is empowering women in the traditionally male-dominated blue economy. The project is working with local stakeholders to implement gender equality plan models, address unconscious biases, and provide the support women need to take on leadership roles via coaching programmes. As the projects in this chapter make clear, when the EU thinks globally, acts locally and involves everyone, it puts Europe on track to becoming not only a climate-neutral continent, but an inclusive one too.