Europe in transition Local communities leading the way to a low-carbon society

The silent revolution

Over 2,000 groups and growing!

Country focus 2 Local communities leading the way to a low-carbon society – AEIDL

Europe in transition

Author: Eamon O’Hara, specialist in and European networking of community-based initiatives. Contributors: Cristiano Bottone, Transition . Theresa Carter, Transition and Northern Ireland.

Chris Church, Low Carbon Communities Cover: ‘Daycare bikes’ used to transport young Network, UK. children on the island of Samsø in . Kitty De Bruin, Transition . © Samsø Energy Academy Fransje de Waard, Association, The Netherlands. Alejo Etchart, Transition Economist and member of the Spanish Hub for Transition Network, . Paul Hendriksen, Transition Towns, The Netherlands. Dr . Tom Henfrey, Schumacher Institute for Sustainable Systems, Bristol, UK. Table of Contents Kosha Anja Joubert, President of the Global The silent revolution ...... 3 Network (GEN) and Managing Director of GEN-Europe. Behind the scenes ...... 4 Christine Kotarakos, AEIDL – European Over 2,000 groups and growing! Association for Information on Local Development. The benefits of community-based action ...... 6 Gesa Maschkowski, Transition Network for , , Switzerland. The movers and shakers ...... 7 Gil Penha-Lopes, Faculty of Sciences, Transition University of Lisbon, Portugal. Davie Phillips, Cultivate Living & Learning, Permaculture – a guiding philosophy Cloughjordan Ecovillage, Ireland. Dr Wojciech Szymalski, Institute of Sustainable Country focus ...... 11 Development, Poland. The UK – a hotbed of community-based activity Job van den Assem, Friends of the Earth France – community-based initiatives breaking new ground (Milieudefensie), The Netherlands. Italy – community-based initiatives take the lead Production coordination: Jean-Luc Janot Sweden – 5,000 villages ready for transition Layout: Kaligram The Netherlands – communities working in partnership with other local actors Supported by AEIDL Portugal – mapping and linking community-based initiatives This project is supported by AEIDL, the Germany – building knowledge on community-based action European Association for Information on Local Spain – where cooperation replaces competition Development . Poland – building local awareness and capacity Denmark – a European leader in community energy

EU support and assistance ...... 24

Time to go mainstream ...... 26

© AEIDL, June 2013 . Building a community of communities Local communities leading the way to a low-carbon society – AEIDL 3

The silent

revolution Academy Energy Samsø ©

Across Europe, a new frontline on climate change is emerging . In- For this potential to be realised, however, the role of this local, com- spired by the tradition of community in other spheres, and munity-based action must be better recognised by policymakers at building on the experiences of other initiatives for sustainable local all levels . Voluntary, citizen-based initiatives cannot be sustained development, small groups of citizens are quietly coming together to indefinitely without external support and assistance . The challenge take action in their own communities . for policymakers, therefore, is to provide this support in a way that encourages and facilitates community-based action, without un- These small, local groups are emerging in , towns, villages and dermining its local, bottom-up dimension, or stifling the energy and rural areas right across the EU, and the numbers are increasing at an creativity that this unleashes . impressive rate (see Fig . 2 page 5) . Meeting in living rooms, in local ca- fés, community centres and other public places, the focus is predomi- Local, community-based initiatives are, by their nature, fragmented, nantly on practical initiatives that can be taken locally to reduce green- and often have little contact with or support from outside . There have house gas (GHG) emissions and the dependence on fossil fuels, and been some efforts to address this, especially at local, regional and to strengthen the resilience and of local communities . national level, but the effectiveness of these efforts has been limited .

Many of these initiatives involve the testing of new ideas, technolo- A key requirement, therefore, is to nurture and support this local gies and approaches in order to find the most sustainable and cost dimension, while also facilitating greater inter-connectedness and effective solutions . In this way, they act as important local laborato- networking between groups, and with other organisations . There is ries, piloting and demonstrating how citizens and communities can a clear need to create a strong platform that promotes the exchange live more sustainably . of ideas, information and good practices, and also facilitates the de- velopment and implementation of cooperative or shared initiatives . A defining feature of this silent revolution is that it is entirely citizen- driven, or bottom-up . Those involved are not responding to top- The establishment of this kind of a platform would provide existing down policy or regulatory decisions, but to their own desire to make groups with improved access to the information and resources they a difference, to be part of the solution rather than the problem . need to develop their projects and activities . Importantly, however, it In many instances, links and collaborative initiatives are being de- would also be a valuable source of inspiration and guidance for other veloped upwards, with local authorities and other local or regional groups and communities, providing a tool to promote a much wider bodies, which are responding positively to the leadership shown by dissemination and uptake of community-based approaches . local citizens . █ This gives this community-based movement a strong legitimacy and credibility which, combined with its widespread and growing popu- larity across the EU, makes it a potentially powerful driver of pro- environmental behavioural change . This type of societal change is not just a pre-requisite to meeting future emissions targets, but also to bringing about the transition to a resource efficient, low-carbon economy, which is now a central goal of European policy . 4 Local communities leading the way to a low-carbon society – AEIDL Behind the scenes

A critical first step in establishing a support framework for local, community-based ac- Over 2,000 groups and growing! tion on climate change is to better under- In the 13 EU countries reviewed, there are 4,000 groups engaged in local, community- stand the existing situation in the EU, and currently in excess of 2,000 local, communi- based action on climate change, which sug- to build links with the key stakeholders in- ty-based groups directly engaged in activi- gests that the number for the 13 countries volved . It was for this reason that between ties to tackle climate change and promote studied is in fact considerably higher that December 2012 and March 2013, the Eu- (see Fig 1) . the available data suggests . ropean Association for Information on Local Development (AEIDL) undertook a This number could be considered to be con- Significantly, however, the number of these preliminary investigation, which led to the servative, however, as it is difficult to get groups and the number of people engaged gathering of information on community- information on all existing initiatives, some in their associated activities is growing rap- based action on climate change in 13 EU of which have a low public profile and are idly (see Fig . 2), unleashing a heretofore countries . poorly documented . There are also many latent resource that is making an increas- other groups that are engaged in activities ingly valuable contribution to wider efforts to This study built on previous information and with an indirect impact on climate change combat climate change . contacts developed by AEIDL experts over and sustainable development, which was a three year period, which helped to identify outside the scope of this study . The common characteristic of these initia- countries where community-based initia- tives is that they are established and driven tives were known to exist . By way of example, research carried out by local people (bottom-up), acting on their for the Carnegie Trust in 2008 found that in own initiative and guided by the desire to This publication presents the results of this the UK alone there were between 2,000 and take action within their own communities to research and seeks to quantify the scale of activities (the number of active groups) in the countries concerned, their rate of de- Transition Ecovillage pro- Country Other velopment, the kinds of actions being un- Initiatives jects or networks dertaken, the key actors or organisation Belgium 10 3 10 concerned and, where they exist, the struc- tures that have evolved to assist and sup- Denmark 30 10 50 port local efforts . Finland - 7 50 France 130 13 4 Germany 60 20 50 Ireland 20 2 10 Italy 80 18 150 Netherlands 80 8 100 Poland - 4 80 Portugal 14 7 20 Spain 30 17 9 Sweden 20 7 9 UK 367 1 500 Total 841 116 1042

Fig. 1: Estimated number of local, community-based groups focusing on climate action in 13 EU countries. Local communities leading the way to a low-carbon society – AEIDL 5

respond to the threat of climate change and energy efficiency, production ecological degradation . and .

The focus is on promoting a shift to a post car- Some groups, or networks of groups, also bon, post-consumerist society: one that gives engage in some level of lobbying or advo- priority to economic and social practices that cacy . However, for the moment at least, this value, protect and enhance natural and social remains a relatively minor part of their ac- capital, thereby helping to strengthen resil- tivities and the focus is more on local rather ience and overcome existing environmental, than higher level decision making . economic and social problems . Community-led action Through their actions, these groups are also in Leicester (UK) These local groups are action oriented (see creating a platform for wider behavioural Transition Leicester is a network of volun- Box), with a clear focus on bringing about change within their communities, challeng- teers living in the Leicester area (UK) that positive change within their own geographi- ing existing beliefs and practices and es- aims “to inspire action to make Leices- cal areas . Most groups begin with softer tablishing a supportive environment for new ter a thriving, low-carbon and resilient actions (awareness raising, community norms to emerge and develop . They also ”. The main focus is on developing engagement), but as they mature and be- have an important catalytic effect, helping practical, local solutions to some of the come more experienced, the tendency is to inspire action in other communities by big challenges facing the community of to engage in more concrete projects with a acting as role models and a source of ideas, Leicester, such as climate change, the direct impact on local GHG emissions and expertise and good practices . economic crisis and dwindling supplies sustainability . Examples include projects of energy . The group is estab- focusing on production, █ lished as an unincorporated association, at the core of which is a seven-member Transition Initiatives 2006-2012 steering group, working with a wider group of volunteers that organise events and projects . 1000 900 Transition Leicester has developed sev- 800 eral long-term projects, covering issues

700 such as local food, energy and educa- tion: Examples include the establishment 600 of a co-operatively owned apple press, a 500 local sustainable food producers group, 400 an advisory initiative to help households 300

Number of groups of Number reduce their , a co-oper- 200 ative promoting investment in sustain-

100 able and affordable energy, an annual festival to promote and celebrate sus- 0 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 tainable living in Leicester, and an annual Year course covering the basics of Permacul- ture design, for creating productive and sustainable gardens and homes . http://transitionleicester org. uk/. Fig. 2: The number of Transition initiatives in Europe has grown exponentially since the movement’s inception in 2006. 6 Local communities leading the way to a low-carbon society – AEIDL

The benefits of community- based action A number of different studies have looked at The review found that the carbon savings the benefits of community-based approach- from community projects in the study area es to addressing climate change . One of the was “significant” and, crucially, additional to more recent is a review of the Climate Chal- what would have occurred in the absence of lenge Fund (CCF) in Scotland1, which was these projects . Also of note was the fact that set up to help communities address climate some projects were found to be contributing change by reducing their carbon emissions . to longer-term change, “with the potential to This review suggests that community-based begin changing social norms ”. approaches are particularly well-placed This potential to promote wider behavioural to deliver pro-environmental behaviour change is a distinguishing feature of com- change, for a number of reasons: munity-based initiatives and one that gives them an important added-value in facilitat- 1 . Community projects are tailored to local ing the transition to a post-carbon society . needs, conditions and capabilities; To meet future targets for the reduction of Brighton Permaculture Trust © Brighton 2 . Local, community-based projects tend GHG emissions, profound lifestyle changes to be trusted by local residents, who are required and the Scottish review sug- Other studies also underline this pivotal perceive them to have the community’s gests that community projects are well- role of community-based initiatives in pro- interests at heart; suited “to deliver the personalised, intensive moting behavioural change, including a 3 . Community projects are more success- interventions” that can help to bring about recent study of the Transition initiatives in ful at engaging and activating local these changes . the Netherlands and in Freiburg, Germany2 . residents, in particular the sizeable pro- This study also underlines the importance of portion of the population that are only It also highlights the importance of avoiding close collaboration with local government ‘moderately interested’ in the environ- an over-emphasis on “quick carbon sav- and the business sector and of broadening ment; ings” at the expense of engaging people on the scope of community-based initiatives in 4 . Action on climate change at the com- more broadly, which is a order to appeal to a wider reference group . munity level is on a meaningful scale particular strength of community-based ap- In this regard, it suggests that groups and to people (i e. . large enough for the over- proaches, which generally encompass car- projects that seek benefits beyond the pure- all impact to be considered worthwhile, bon savings, sustainable lifestyles and ca- ly environmental, such as economic and but small enough for individuals to feel pacity building for climate action . social, also tend to be more successful and that they have a valuable contribution to attract a broader membership with a wider make) . range of competencies .

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1 http://www .scotland gov. uk/socialresearch.

2 How to Involve Citizens in Sustainable Development: An Exploratory Study of the Transition Towns Network in the Netherlands and Freiburg, Germany, Wieke Rusman (2012) . Local communities leading the way to a low-carbon society – AEIDL 7

The movers

and shakers Italy © Slowfood

The review of local, community-based ini- Transition tiatives on climate change in the countries covered by the AEIDL survey shows two pre- The Transition movement is a bottom-up It is estimated that there is also a similar dominant networks with international reach: network of active citizens who are trying to number of unregistered groups, also pursu- the Transition initiative and the Eco­village find practical solutions on a local level to the ing the Transition approach . Network, which together account for just global problems of climate change and peak over half of the groups identified (see Fig . 1 oil . The first Transition group started in In the 13 countries surveyed, there were an page 4) . These networks and their members (UK) in 2006 (see Box) and since then Transi- estimated 898 groups officially or unofficially also have close links with the Permaculture tion initiatives have sprung up in communities pursuing the Transition approach at the be- movement, which is an important source of across 30 different countries, including 11 in ginning of 2013 (see Fig . 1 page 4) . These ideas, inspiration and guidance for local, the EU: the UK, Sweden, Spain, Portugal, the groups all share a concern with regard to community-based activity . Netherlands, Italy, Ireland, Germany, France, dwindling supplies of fossil fuels (), Denmark and Belgium . At national level, there are also some important  networks, such as the Low Carbon Commu- There are currently in excess of 1000 groups nities Network in the UK, which includes over officially registered as Transition initiatives, 400 groups, as well as many smaller local or located in cities, towns, villages and rural ar- regional networks and stand-alone groups . eas, and the number is growing all the time .

Transition Town Totnes – streets ahead! Established in 2006, Totnes One award winning TTT project, which (TTT) is a dynamic, community-led char- ran from January 2010 to July 2011, was ity, which acts as an umbrella for different Transition Streets, which aimed to engage thematic groups developing projects in and the wider community in Totnes in living more around Totnes, in areas such as sustainable sustainably . Nearly 500 households partici- © Transition Town Totnes construction, food production, business and pated in the project . These were organised livelihoods . There are currently around 20 into 56 different groups of neighbours . The TTT activities are mainly carried out by volun- ongoing projects, all of which have been de- projects saw households save an average teers, but it also has a full-time manager and veloped by interested members of the com- of £570 and 1 3. tonnes of CO2 per annum . a part-time office coordinator . munity, with the support of the TTT office . New social ties were also created and the http: //www transitiontowntotnes. org/. vast majority of groups vowed to continue their activities beyond the life of the project . 8 Local communities leading the way to a low-carbon society – AEIDL

climate change and, increasingly, the eco- Ecovillages nomic downturn, and all have adopted a community-led approach to addressing The Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) was into the future, merging the best of sustain- these issues within their own local areas . set up in 1995 to support human communi- able traditions with innovative solutions . ties that sustain and regenerate their social Its members have some of the lowest per A common thread between these groups is and natural environments . Ecovillages are capita carbon footprints in the industrialised the focus on practical, action-oriented pro- rural or urban, intentional or traditional com- world3 . jects, which cover a wide range of activities, munities with vibrant social structures . They from community gardens, to energy saving are vastly diverse, yet united in their actions GEN-International works through five broad clubs, shared transport and and towards low-impact, high-quality lifestyles . regional organisations: the Ecovillage Net- repair schemes, to more investment inten- works of Northern America (ENNA), GEN sive projects in areas such as community Ecovillages are consciously designed Oceania and Asia (GENOA), the networks supported agriculture and community ener- through local participatory processes, inte- of Latin America (CASA), GEN-Europe and gy production . Most groups start small, but grating the four dimensions of sustainability: GEN-Africa . The European branch of GEN through their engagement in projects they ecology, economy, society and culture . (GEN-Europe) is currently assisting in the gradually draw in more and more people emergence of GEN-Middle East as an inde- from within their catchment areas . Today, GEN is made up of an alliance be- pendent branch of the global network . tween intentional communities (new villages Many Transition groups benefit from train- developed in accordance with the Ecovillage The Newsletter of GEN International current- ing and from other support and assistance model, see Box) and traditional villages that ly goes out to around 12 000 individuals and provided by Transition Network, a platform have decided to design their own pathway 1000 organisations worldwide . established at the end of 2006 in order “to inspire, encourage, connect, support and train communities as they adopt and adapt the transition model ”. Ireland’s model ecovillage Transition Network is run from Totnes and The ecovillage at Cloughjordan, in Ire- The ecovillage also includes: has a small core staff that helps to deliver its land, is located on a 67 acre site in Coun- >>A solar- and wood-powered community support services, which includes maintain- ty Tipperary . It was set up by a group heating system; ing a network website . In addition to provid- of people who formed an educational >>A green enterprise centre and hi-speed ing access to various guides and other re- charity, Sustainable Projects Ireland Ltd, broadband; sources, the website also hosts a database in 1999 . The premise was to create, “a >>An eco-hostel for visitors; of registered groups and a project directory supportive social community living in a >>A nearby train station . that describes over 300 projects . low-impact way, and to create a fresh blueprint for modern sustainable liv- Many of the new houses in Cloughjordan This networking service is attempting to ing” . A key objective for the project is to have rainwater harvesting systems in place meet an identified need for information, ensure that the development integrates and their energy performance is well above knowledge and exchange among Transi- into the existing village of Cloughjordan, the national average . Cloughjordan was at tion groups, but due to the limited resources and plays a part in the regeneration of the hub of a region within the county that available, and to a lack of prior experience in the whole community . was selected to become a leading exam- the management of international networks, ple at a European level of how local com- this service remains largely underdeveloped . Today, the site has 50 newly construct- munities can become sustainable in terms ed low-energy homes and work units, a of their and use . The SERVE There is, for example, very limited transla- community farm, and virgin woodland in Rural Village Environ- tion of material into languages other than of 17,000 mixed native trees . It also has ments project demonstrates sustainable English, there are no methodologies for permission for a further 82 low- energy use in rural communities (see: http:// identifying, assessing and disseminating energy homes and work units . servecommunity ie. ) . good practices (currently done through a monthly newsletter and annual meetings), and there is very limited organisation or thematic specialisation within the network . The development of the networking service also seems to be hampered by issues sur- rounding its organisational structure, which is struggling to adapt to the evolving needs of the network . 3 Simon, Karl-Heinz (2006): Gemeinschaftlich nachhaltig . Welche Vorteile bietet das Leben in Gemeinschaft für die Umsetzung ökologischer Lebenspraktiken? In: Grundmann, Matthias, Dierschke, , Drucks, Stephan u . Kunze, Iris (Ed ):. Soziale Gemeinschaften . Experimen- tierfelder für kollektive Lebensformen . In der Reihe: “Individuum und Gesellschaft: Beiträge zur Sozialisations- und Gemeinschaftsforschung” . Münster . 155-170 . Local communities leading the way to a low-carbon society – AEIDL 9

GEN-Europe has more than 159 ecovillages The network’s longer term strategy is guid- and national ecovillage networks enrolled on ed by the belief that all of society needs to its interactive maps, spread across 27 EU transition to low-impact, resilient lifestyles . countries (see Fig . 3) . Some of the nation- GEN-Europe has been working on educa- al ecovillage networks in turn represent a tional programmes (see Gaia Education) to number of projects: the Swedish Ecovillage mainstream the experience of its existing Network, for example, consists of at least network and to support this transition . 80 ecovillage projects . Similarly, the UK net- work includes at least 20 ecovillages . Kosha Joubert, the President of GEN-Interna- tional and the Executive Secretary of GEN-Eu- From initially concentrating on the establish- rope, sums up this approach as follows: “One ment of model ecovillages, the focus of GEN of the most powerful resources available to has now shifted to the sharing of best prac- humanity is the longing of citizens to become tice or aspects of ecovillages that have prov- part of the solution instead of feeling that they en to be successful . The thinking now is that are contributing to the problem . GEN helps “every village must become an ecovillage and unleash this potential by showcasing path- every city must become a green city ”. ways, solutions and best-practice examples ”.



Country Ecovillages or national networks Austria 5 Belgium 3 1 Cyprus 1 1 Denmark 10 Estonia 2 Finland 7 Sustainable Projects Ireland Ltd Ireland Projects © Sustainable France 13

The Cloughjordan Community Farm was Germany 20 set up in August 2008 and is spread over Greece 7 40 acres . The Farm is based on a model of 5 farming called Community Supported Agri- Ireland 2 culture (CSA) and is the first and largest of Italy 18 this type of farm in Ireland . CSA is where a direct relationship is created between farm- Latvia 5 ers and farm members, who pay a weekly Lithuania 4 amount which guarantees the farmers a 0 wage and the members a supply of local, Malta 0 fresh produce . See www cloughjordancom. - Netherlands 8 munityfarm ie. Poland 4

Further details on the Cloughjordan ecovil- Portugal 7 lage can be found at: http://www thevillage. ie. Romania 6 Slovakia 2 Slovenia 3 Spain 17 Sweden 7 1 Total 159

Fig. 3 Ecovillages and ecovillage networks in the EU27. Source: http://gen ecovillage. org/ecovillages/find-an-ecovillage. .html 10 Local communities leading the way to a low-carbon society – AEIDL

Permaculture – a guiding philosophy

Many local, community-based groups that recreation of rainforests, the replanting of are engaged in activities related to climate arid lands, the building of sustainable com- change and sustainable development are munities and ecovillages, the development influenced by, and sometimes work closely of new credit systems and productive busi- with, the Permaculture movement . In fact, nesses, and even to post-conflict reconcilia- the original idea for Transition emerged from tion and emergency disaster relief . a permaculture training course in Kinsale, Ireland, in 2005, and there continues to be Permaculture has developed a sizeable in- considerable overlap between the two move- ternational following and now has national ments, in terms of both people and ideas . associations in 120 countries, which have collectively produced over 5000 graduates Permaculture was developed in the 1970s of permaculture training programmes . and was originally seen as a contraction of Brighton Permaculture Trust © Brighton the words permanent (or sustainable) and This “permaculture community” continues agriculture . Nowadays, it is more commonly to expand on the original ideas of the move- Principles understood as a contraction of ‘permanent ment’s founders, working through a network of permaculture culture’, reflecting a broadening of its scope of publications, permaculture gardens, inten- from agriculture to a wide range of social as tional communities, training programmes, 1 . Observe and Interact well as ecological endeavours . and internet forums . This evolution of ideas 2 . Catch and Store Energy and practices is driven by project experience, 3 . Obtain a Yield The basic principles of permaculture (see as well as research, which has become an im- 4 . Apply Self-regulation and Accept Box) provide a set of universally applicable portant part of the permaculture movement . Feedback guidelines that can be used in designing 5 . Use and Value Renewable Resourc- sustainable systems . These principles have In the UK, for example, the Permaculture es and Services been derived from the observation of nature Association has a research strategy in place, 6 . Produce no Waste and from the earlier work of ecologists, land- and as part of this it has assembled a Re- 7 . Design from Patterns to Details scape designers and environmental scien- search Advisory Board whose members 8 . Integrate rather than Segregate tists . The focus is on working with the forces include many university-based research- 9 . Use Small and Slow Solutions of nature rather than trying to reshape them . ers, along with independent professional 10 . Use and Value Diversity researchers and permaculture practitioners 11 . Use Edges and Value the Marginal Individuals, communities and organisations involved in onsite research . 12 . Creatively Use and Respond to can, and have been successfully applying Change these principles and ethics to many different █ challenges, from the creation of community gardens, to the rehabilitation of farms, the Permaculture Research Institute Research © Permaculture

Greening the desert An iconic permaculture project, and one that high salinity levels . To reverse this decline, in of a 10 acre demonstration site, turning the perfectly demonstrates the enormous po- 2000, Australian permaculture expert Geoff Jordanian desert into an oasis . Today, with tential of this approach in tackling issues re- Lawton embarked on an ambitious project limited funding and minimal maintenance, lated to climate change, is the Greening the that he called ‘Greening the Desert’ . He de- the original site is self-sufficient, producing Desert project in Jordan . signed a system that harvested available impressive yields of fruit and vegetables, water by effectively using and manipulating and becoming increasingly fertile . A new For centuries, the Jordan Valley was re- the natural landscape . sustainable building on site also acts as a nowned for being one of the most lush and training centre, helping to share the lessons productive lands in the world, but years of Using agricultural mulch and special irrigation with other communities throughout the region . over-grazing and left it arid and with canals, he managed to restore the fertility Local communities leading the way to a low-carbon society – AEIDL 11

Country focus In addition to international networks and movements with links to community-based action on climate change and sustainable development, there are also national networks in some countries, some with a focus on promoting cooperation and exchange between broad-based community initiatives, while others have a specific sectoral or thematic focus .

The UK – a hotbed of community-based activity

In the UK, for example, a number of national and regional networks have been estab- lished to support community-based action on climate change . In 2010, several of these came together to form an informal grouping of representatives from networks, called the Communities and Climate Action Alliance (CCAA) . This ‘network of networks’ includes representatives of:

>>The Low Carbon Communities Network, which supports groups engaged in activi- ties to promote low carbon and zero car- bon technologies and lifestyles at a com- munity level (see below);

>>Transition Network (representing Transi- tion groups in the UK);

>>Local United, a membership association

which aims to inspire, enable and promote © Low Carbon Hub social ventures to move communities Launch of the Low Carbon Hub in Oxford Town Hall, with over 250 representatives from low carbon community groups across Oxfordshire. more rapidly towards a low-carbon future;

>>Community Energy (Sustain Wales), >>Green Communities, a progamme run by CCAA members share the belief that a network which aims to promote sustain- the , a government “communities have a unique and critical able development in Wales, including by body that promotes the saving of energy, role to play in helping the UK meet its na- supporting local, community based initia- water and carbon emissions by UK house- tional carbon reduction targets, but that tives; holds and communities; the communities’ role is currently poorly understood.” >>Keep Scotland Beautiful, which adminis- >>The Community Energy Practitioners Fo-  ters and supports the Climate Challenge rum, which brings together know-how, Fund in Scotland (see Section 3 0. above); creativity and support for communities striving to put in place large energy and carbon reduction projects . 12 Local communities leading the way to a low-carbon society – AEIDL

It argues that national and local policy mak- groups), followed by food (62%), waste (54%), not provide for their legal establishment: a ers risk making policy decisions that are not transport (46%), green space and good example of how legislation can act as as effective in the long term as they could (36%), water (19%) and flooding and resil- a barrier to community-based action on cli- be, because communities and community ience (9%) . The most popular types of energy mate change . carbon reduction delivery models – such as projects focus on energy efficiency improve- social enterprise – are not an effective part ments, energy advice to local people, domes- Community energy of the strategic discussion . Its main pur- tic renewables, community scale renewables, Community energy is another area that has pose, therefore, is to: and community scale energy saving . seen significant growth in the UK in recent >>Demonstrate to government and other years . Scotland, in particular, has a strong Engagement in policy work is also increas- partners the unique and critical role of tradition in the development of community ing, with over half of groups already having communities in helping to deliver climate renewable energy projects . Since 2003, been involved in some kind of lobbying ac- change targets; community energy ownership in Scot- tivity . Groups are also increasingly engaging land has been supported through tailored >>Build a sense of shared purpose and col- with their local authorities: in 2012, 79% of schemes, resulting in over 800 projects . lective action amongst its members and groups were in contact with their local coun- across a range of key private and public cil on climate issues (up from 52% in 2011) . In 2011, the Scottish Government introduced sector partners, aimed at lowering the Almost all of these groups report that they additional measures to help communities to barriers to community-based action on have good relations with their council’s cli- benefit from developments in renewables climate change; mate change staff . and set a target of 500 MW from commu- >> Develop, in collaboration with key partners, nity and locally-owned renewable energy LCCN sees this engagement with public a UK wide plan which plays to partner schemes by 2020 . Community Energy Scot- bodies as an increasingly important aspect strengths and which actively enables the land is a registered charity that provides of its work, and its future priorities include potential for community-based action on practical help for communities in developing training on lobbying, practical skills and climate change . green energy projects . public speaking, as well as continuing to provide information on new developments Low Carbon Communities Elsewhere in the UK, Energy4All is a limited and mentoring support on group organisa- company established in 2002 by the Baywind A founding member of the CCAA, the Low tion and fundraising . Energy Co-op, the UK’s first community- Carbon Communities Network (LCCN) aims owned wind farm, to develop green energy to encourage the adoption of low carbon and Low Impact Development schemes that are owned and operated by lo- zero carbon technologies and lifestyles at a Another interesting initiative to emerge re- cal communities . Energy4All is owned by the community level, and to enable its members cently in the UK is Low Impact Development various wind cooperatives around the UK, in- engaged in such activities to be as effective (LID) LID. is an innovative approach to creat- cluding Baywind, Westmill, Boyndie, Fenland, and efficient as possible . Membership of the ing sustainable homes and livelihoods, which Isle of Skye, Kilbraur and Great Glen . LCCN includes over 400 community groups, fosters social, economic and environmental coming from all parts of the UK, as well as renewal . This is a grass roots movement, and Other pioneers in the area of community a further 400 supporting members (which in- as such its actual definition has continued energy in the UK include the Meadows Part- clude a wide range of organisations including to evolve . However, in general, it concerns nership and West Oxford Community Re- local authority climate teams)4 . practical projects that draw on elements of newables . Several new initiatives to enable permaculture, traditional knowledge, and ap- investment in community energy projects The LCCN members vary in size and nature, propriate ‘low carbon’ technology to create have also emerged in recent years, including with around 60% being run on a purely vol- low impact settlements . Abundance, Triodos Bank and MicroGenius, untary basis, while about 40% employ one all of which enable small-scale investors to or more staff . Most groups have a legal ba- One study listed over 20 such settlements buy shares in local energy projects . sis and over half (51 3%). have been running in the UK, and it has been estimated that for more than five years . There is an even a total of around 10,000 people live in Low The UK government has supported a num- split between urban and rural groups, and in Impact Developments nationwide5 . At the ber of community energy schemes and there terms of financing, just over 23% of groups heart of LID are the interrelated challenges is clear evidence that community-backed have an annual turnover/budget of more of climate change and peak oil, and, in gen- projects enjoy a higher level of public sup- than £50,000 (approx . . €60,000) . eral, projects aim to inspire action beyond port and encounter less planning problems, the boundaries of their own developments which is a key factor in reaching future tar- Group activities broadly cover local engage- by providing practical examples which oth- gets for energy from renewables . In this con- ment, project work and lobbying . Almost all ers can follow . However, to date, many LID text, the UK government is currently working of the LCCN groups have developed practi- projects have been forced to operate in a on a community energy strategy, which it cal projects, mostly related to energy (91% of low key manner, as UK planning policy does plans to publish in the autumn of 2013 .

4 Low Carbon Communities Network: Annual Survey Results 2012

5 Pickerill, J . & L . Maxey, 2009 . of sustainability: Low Impact Developments and radical spaces of innovation . Compass 3(4): 1515-1539 Local communities leading the way to a low-carbon society – AEIDL 13 Virage Nord-Pas-de-Calais © Virage Wind turbines in Nord-Pas-de-Calais. France – community-based initiatives breaking new ground

In France, a country that does not have a strong tradition of community-based activ- ity, new initiatives have emerged across the Local climate- country in recent years . A supportive frame- energy plans work for this community engagement has Since July 2010, all French municipalities now also been established, with the require- with a population of more than 50,000 ment for French municipalities to develop are required to introduce a Local Cli- local strategies to combat climate change, mate-Energy Plan (PCET), which should and to involve local communities in their de- be developed by all local interests (com- velopment and implementation (see Box) . munities, companies, associations, citi- zens, etc ). . While many of the community-led initiatives that have emerged so far are affiliated to the French municipalities had until the end of Transition network (around 130 groups already 2012 to prepare a PCET, with a priority registered with Transition Network) and GEN focus on reducing emis- (13 ecovillages) a number of other important sions from municipal activities and other activities that are managed as a result of their initiatives have also emerged in France . regulatory responsibilities . The expectation, however, is that PCETs will go beyond this and experience to date suggests that the most successful initiatives are those that also  engage with local citizens and the business sector .

“By taking action solely within the sphere of its direct responsibilities, a municipality can look at reducing by 10 to 20%”, explained Éric Prud’homme, head of the French environment agency’s territorial coordination unit . “But by working with its economic and social partners, it can reduce them by more than 70%.” Further details at: www pcet-ademe. fr. 14 Local communities leading the way to a low-carbon society – AEIDL

Community supported locally produced food at a fair price, while The agriculture the farmer has the security of a guaranteed Virages Énergie is a network of citizen’s market and income . The produce varies ac- initiatives, which aim to facilitate the exit One of these is AMAP, the Association for cording to the season and is delivered at from nuclear energy and fossil fuels, while the Preservation of Peasant Farming, which regular intervals, in small or large boxes, to a also reducing greenhouse gas emissions, aims to support the viability and continu- designated pick-up point . through a gradual transformation of the ity of local farms committed to sustainable French economy and society . To date there agriculture . Established in 2001, AMAP is a The first AMAP groups started in 2001 and are five known groups in this network: citizens association, involving a partnership there are now an estimated 1,600 groups, >>Virage Énergie Aquitaine between local consumers and local organic with regular deliveries of 66,000 boxes to >>Virage Énergie Nord-Pas-de-Calais farmers, whereby the consumers (or Amap­ some 270,000 consumers . >>Virage Énergie-Climat Pays-de-la-Loire iens) enter into a contract with the famers at >>Virage Énergie-Ile-de-France the beginning of each season to buy a cer- AMAP was inspired by Community Sup- >>Virage-Énergie Centre-Val-de-Loire tain amount of their production (fruit, veg- ported Agriculture initiatives in Japan and The focus of these groups is primarily on influ- etables, meat, cheese, eggs, honey, nuts,…) the US and it also works closely with other encing public opinion and . The at an agreed price . organisations in France, such as the Slow initiative was founded in 2006, with the es- Food movement, which has about 3,000 tablishment of Virage Énergie Nord-Pas-de- For their part, the farmers agree to supply member, and the association, Terre de Calais, which brings together individuals and good quality products, in accordance with Liens (see Box below) . organizations interested in building a more a special AMAP charter . This arrangement secure energy future through energy savings, gives the consumer access to good quality, energy efficiency and renewable energy .

Sustainable farming Established in 2003, Terre de Liens (land links) aims to acquire land and support alter- native and more sustainable models of land ownership and use . It also provides practi- cal help to aspiring organic, biodynamic and peasant farmers . By mid-2012, the organisa- tion had supported 115 farms and 200 farm- Schamasch Schamasch . ers . The success of this initiative has led to © T the establishment of an informal network Members of the ‘Collectif de la Mijote’, a Terre with similar initiatives in Belgium, , de Liens group supporting in Savoie. Germany, Italy, Lithuania and Spain . Local communities leading the way to a low-carbon society – AEIDL 15 © Terre de Liens

By providing expert analysis and technically (referenced to 1990): -40% in 2020 and launched a public consultation called feasible proposals, the association aims to -85% in 2050; Transition énergétique . This initiative is enlighten, guide and convince decision mak- being implemented with the support of >>Ensuring a sustainable energy supply in ers and citizens in the region to take action . regional authorities and seeks to engage the region, reducing energy consumption In 2008, it won the European Solar Prize for a with citizens in charting a new energy fu- and developing renewable energies; study that led to a roadmap on how to meet ture . The consultation continues until July 100% of the regions energy requirement >>Responding to the climate emergency in 2013 and will lead to the adoption of a legal from renewable sources . the interest of social justice . initiative in the autumn of 2013 .

The association, “Virage Énergie-Climat Established in 2011, Virage Énergie Aqui- The regional authority for the Nord-Pas de Pays-de-la-Loire”, was established in 2009 taine is also in the process of developing a Calais region was the first to launch the con- and has over 100 members, including ener- regional energy-climate scenario, while the sultation process . In October 2012, it held a gy, agriculture and environment experts, as more recently formed Virage Énergie Cen- conference in Lille, where over 400 invited well as citizens . On 3 April 2013, it published tre Val de Loire and Virage Énergie Ile-de- guests participated in a first discussion on a citizen-focused climate-energy scenario, France are pursuing similar initiatives in their the ecological and social transformation of which proposes technological solutions respective regions . the region . aimed at: Recognising the important role of local >>Reducing regional GHG emissions in line citizens in contributing to the energy tran- with the recommendations of the UN’s In- sition, the French government recently tergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Éoliennes en Pays de Vilaine de Pays en © Éoliennes Citizens involvement in the France’s first community-owned wind farm Béganne wind farm. In 2002, a small group of local people came up with the idea of The involvement of significant numbers of local people in the project establishing a citizens’ wind farm at Béganne, in Brittany . Eleven has given it a strong educational dimension, sensitizing residents years later, more than 600 households (via local investment clubs or to the potential of local renewable energy and energy savings . This through the social investment association, Énergie Partagée), social initiative is also helping to establish other citizen-run wind energy economy activists, as well as the Region of Brittany have come to- cooperatives in Brittany and elsewhere . gether in a local enterprise that will build four turbines and produce More details at: http://www eolien-citoyen. fr/. enough electricity to supply 8,000 households . 16 Local communities leading the way to a low-carbon society – AEIDL

Italy – community-based initiatives take the lead In Italy, there are around 80 Transition groups (see Box), 18 ecovillages, which make up the Italian network of ecological villages (Rive), as well as a number of other bottom-up ini- tiatives, such as Rete Gas, which promotes ethical purchasing .

Ethical purchasing

Ethical purchasing groups are purchasing groups that do not have price as their first priority, but instead chooses products and producers on the basis of defined environ- mental criteria and a shared ethos between the members of the group, the traders, and the producers . This leads to a preference for local products (in order to minimize the environmental im- pact of transport), fair-trade goods (in order to respect disadvantaged producers by pro- Daniele Cavallotti © Daniele moting their human rights) and reusable or eco-compatible goods (to promote a sus- Consuming less, tainable lifestyle) . living better A very demanding task for ethical pur- chasing groups is the continuous search There are also a number of other networks for producers and products that satisfy in Italy that focus on promoting the shift these stringent criteria, which is why in to a society that consumes less and puts Italy, these groups came together to form greater value on non-materialistic assets . the network, Rete Gas, which allows for Examples include: the sharing of information and tasks be- >> Archipelago Scec, a network of associations

tween different groups . It includes around Cavallotti © Daniele with a focus on sustainable local develop- 948 registered group members in Italy, as Delivery of commonly purchased food in Gottolengo. ment, and in particular the development of well as many non-registered groups . Its ac- local renewable energy resources, as well as tivities focus primarily on energy and food . promoting awareness about climate change and global warming;

>>Descrescitae Felice (decreasing happily), Transition mainstreamed by Italian municipality a network of around 40 clubs, spread across Italy, which promote prosperity In the of Monteveglio, the efforts of the local Transition without economic growth . These clubs group led to the local authority adopting an Energy Decent Plan have a strong focus on sustainability and in 2009, aimed at transforming Monteveglio into a “post carbon” on projects and actions that contribute to commune . The local authority developed a strategic partnership climate change mitigation; with the Association Monteveglio Città di Transizione (Transition Town Monteveglio), with both organisations having a common assessment on the deple- >>Slow Food, a global, organi- tion of fossil energy resources and the need to limit , on the need sation with a network of around 2,000 to make the local community more resilient and better prepared for a low energy future, communities across 150 countries that on the importance of a bottom-up, participatory process, and on the need to maintain an engage in small-scale food production, optimistic outlook (important challenges lie ahead, but this will also bring great opportu- focusing on quality and sustainability . nities to improve quality of life) . The Slow Food movement was founded in Italy in 1986 and there are currently On foot of this, the local authority committed itself to promoting Monteveglio as a around 280 active slow food communi- Transition Town, with the direct participation of the whole community . Concrete actions ties in Italy . proposed include: defining CO2 emission measurement tools and containment policies; >>CESnet, a cross-border eco-sustainable the designation of an Energy Manager to promote renewable energy development projects network between Italy and Slovenia . Es- and energy efficiency; and promoting sustainable lifestyles and actions . tablished in 2009, the network promotes Further details at: http://transitionculture org/2009/12/04/what-it-looks-like-when-a-lo. - local seed saving, sustainable production, cal-authority-really-gets-transition-the-monteveglio-story/ ecological learning and sharing between groups and individuals . Local communities leading the way to a low-carbon society – AEIDL 17 Hela Norden ska leva ska Norden © Hela

Sweden – 5,000 villages ready for transition

In Sweden, there are around 20 Transition It is estimated that roughly 100,000 indi- groups, which have come together with a viduals are involved directly in village action larger network, called Hela Sverige ska leva groups and that their work affects over three (All Sweden shall live), to create a new net- million people – a third of the Swedish popu- work called Converting Sweden . Converting lation . Groups are spread all over Sweden Sweden draws on the experiences of both and engage in all kinds of activities, from By working with Hela Sverige ska leva, the organisations and aims to create strong and running shops, organising childcare, to set- Transition movement in Sweden has access sustainable communities across Sweden . ting up renewable energy plants and improv- to considerable resources and networks to ing local transport infrastructure . facilitate the process of sharing experiences Hela Sverige ska leva is a national associa- and inspiring other communities to engage tion consisting of around 5,000 village action Sustainable development is a key guiding in the transition process . Locally, there are groups . It also has 24 sub-networks, work- principle of the village action movement and now county or municipal committees across ing with information and advisory services many projects focus specifically on this is- the entire country to support this activity . on a county level . Its mission is “to support sue . Since 2003, for example, Hela Sverige local development towards a sustainable ska leva has worked on a project called Sus- Hela Sverige ska leva also cooperates ac- society”, which it does by providing advice tainable Districts, in which 25 pilot villages tively with similar organisations in other and support to local groups, facilitating co- developed sustainable solutions to lessen countries . It is, for example, one of the driv- operation and by giving access to tools and their dependency on oil . ing forces in Hela Norden ska leva (All methodologies that help groups to succeed North shall live), which also includes similar in their work . It also seeks to influence public This project has now been completed, but networks from other nordic countries, and opinion and public policies . its activities are being continued in collabo- is an active participant in the Village Action ration with the Swedish Transition network, Movement in Europe . within the framework of Converting Sweden . The aims is to promote a wider uptake of the piloted actions . 18 Local communities leading the way to a low-carbon society – AEIDL © Astrid den Haan Demonstration of an electric car. The Netherlands – communities working in partnership with other local actors A specific feature of community-based initia- In addition to Transition groups, there are There are at least another 35 stand-alone, tives on climate change in the Netherlands is also an estimated 100 other local, commu- community-based groups in the Nether- the close working relationships with munici- nity-based groups with a focus on climate lands focusing on climate action . Examples palities (see Box) and other local organisa- change and sustainability, including 65 local include Make Gouda Sustainable, a local tions . As of January 2013, there were about groups that are affiliated to the Dutch branch partnership of citizens and public bodies, 80 local Transition initiatives in the Neth- of Friends of the Earth (Milieudefensie) . and NMCH, an independent foundation erlands, about half of which had a regular Milieudefensie has a long tradition of work- working with residents, businesses, public programme of activities, including local food ing with local groups across the Netherlands bodies and education centres to promote production, permaculture courses, sustain- and many of these are now engaged in cli- sustainable development in the municipality able construction and recycling initiatives . mate action . Improving energy efficiency is of Haarlemmermeer . a particular area of focus, but some groups are also working on a wider range of pro- jects aimed at promoting sustainable local development .

Climate alliance Established in 1991, the Climate Alliance A good example of the latter is the SOS (Klimaatverbond), is a dynamic network of project, which developed a web portal that 150 municipalities, 10 provinces and two publishes practical and inspiring examples water boards, working on projects, knowl- of how citizens, citizen groups and munici- © Astrid den Haan edge exchanges and other initiatives aimed palities can work together to address cli- Conference at the ‘Maak Gouda Duurzaam’ at promoting local action on climate change . mate change . The aim is to showcase what (Make Gouda Sustainable) Symposium in 2012. Climate Alliance projects include climate is already being done in order to inspire oth- In the Rozendaal Park area of Leusden, for awareness campaigns, energy saving and ers to develop similar actions . The emphasis example, residents saved an average of renewable energy initiatives, as well as pro- is on actions that are easy to replicate . €1,000 each by jointly purchasing double jects to inform, educate and inspire action glazed windows . By acting together, they among individuals and local communities . were also able to negotiate a 15% discount on the purchase of insulation . Local communities leading the way to a low-carbon society – AEIDL 19

Portugal – mapping and linking community-based initiatives

In Portugal, the recently formed Converge able Europe), which is attempting to map lo- tive Approaches to Support the Shift to a Network is seeking to map the growing cal, community-based initiatives on climate Sustainable, Low Carbon Society” (TREE) . number of local, community-based climate change in nine European countries . The pro- This project aims to build a ‘Transition change initiatives, and to inform and at- ject is being funded by the EU’s 7th Frame- knowledge base’ in order to characterise tract new participants that are interested work Programme for Research (FP7) . bottom-up sustainability movements and in getting involved in concrete projects and communities and better understand the initiatives in their own localities . Through its The focus is on the local level (cities/rural current impacts of these movements and activities, the network also aims to inform areas) and on examining issues such as communities and how they interact with people already involved in these initiatives methods of participation and the empower- and implement existing policies . and to encourage and support cooperation ment of stakeholders and citizens, socio- and new synergies . technical transitions to sustainability, and the The project will compile and integrate socio- of communities . existing scientific studies on various as- To date, around 80 different organisations The project is also trying to identify bridges pects of transition, map existing bottom-up have registered with the network, including: between sectors, spatial scales, bottom-up initiatives in Europe and review their char- 15 Transition groups (there are 20 registered and top-down initiatives, and to address ex- acteristics and knowledge on transforma- groups in Portugal), 14 Permaculture pro- isting gaps in processes of adaptation policy tions in order to identify the main drivers, jects, seven ecovillages (two of which are design and implementation . the key stakeholders and their roles, and members of the Iberian Ecovillage Network), the processes that sustain transformation and a number of other organisations promot- A BASE project publication, the CIRCLE-2 (including challenges) . ing sustainable living, either through training, Adaptation Inspiration Book, provides an or through specific projects in areas such as overview of practical and early examples of An important feature of the TREE project is sustainable food or energy production . The adaptive actions already taking place across that it includes practitioner organisations members of the network are located right Europe . (Transition Network, Global Ecovillage Net- across the country, with the biggest concen- work and Gaia Education) as full partners, trations around Lisbon and Porto . Another recently submitted FP7 research alongside recognised research organisa- project, also coordinated by Lisbon Uni- tions, and takes an action research ap- Also in Portugal, Lisbon University is partici- versity, but involving partners from another proach that allows practitioners a full and pating in a project called BASE (Bottom-Up five countries, is “Transition – Report- active role in shaping and carrying out the Climate Adaptation Strategies for a Sustain- ing, Evaluation and Engagement: Innova- research .

Showcasing sustainable living Located in the Algarve, the Permaculture to 20 guests, a children’s summer camp Institute of Vale da Lama is an educational and environmental education centre, and a institute, a working farm, and a demonstra- pedagogical garden that provides food for tion site for sustainable and self-reliant liv- the centre and teaches students and guests ing . Situated on the banks of the Ria de Alvor about sustainable food production . tidal estuary, the site encompasses a 42 ha More details at: www valedalama. .net farm, which is now being cultivated accord- ing to the principles of permaculture . There is also an eco-villa that accommodates up © Instituto de Permacultura do Vale da Lama 20 Local communities leading the way to a low-carbon society – AEIDL

Germany – Building knowledge on community-based action

In Germany, there are currently around 60 Research in community participates in conferences and provides an Transition groups and 20 ecovillages . There advisory service . Established in 2008, Research in Commu- is also an active permaculture movement, nity (RIC) is “a network for research and led by the German Permaculture Institute In 2009, RIC received the ‘Futurist’ project support linked to the culture of sustainabil- (founded in 1984), in collaboration with the award and was nominated for the ‘Ideen ity” . RIC focuses specifically on the study Permaculture Academy, which offers per- Initiative Zukunft’ 2010-11 . The network was of projects that seek to enhance or develop maculture design courses . also an official project of the ‘UN-Decade the diverse sustainability aspects of local There are currently around 50 permaculture for Education for Sustainable Development communities – ecovillages, Transition towns projects listed on the Institute’s website . 2005-2014’ in the years 2010-11 . At the be- and other forms of socio-ecological coop- ginning of 2011, it was formally inaugurated eration, areas that still have a very limited Other important activities in Germany in- as an association, which now receives fund- research base . The aim is to investigate the clude community-based energy initiatives ing from the MRF Trust . Future plans include experiments and experiences of these pro- (see below) and community supported ag- the formation of a research institute . jects, and critically analyse their potential for riculture (CSA) . The German CSA-network transfer to other contexts . was founded in 2011 and there are currently Local energy cooperatives 32 participating farms and 41 Initiatives . The first common research project was car- Germany is also a leader in the field of com- ried out in cooperation with the Ecovillage of munity energy, with 65% of its renewable Responding to these different developments, Sieben Linden (see Box) in Saxony-Anhalt, energy capacity community-owned . There a new research community has also emerged Germany . The most recent was conducted are over 600 energy cooperatives, the num- in Germany, with the specific goal of devel- with an EU-funded learning partnership of ber having increased tenfold in the period oping knowledge about local, community- five European Ecovillages (‘The Transition from 2000-2010, following a major restruc- based approaches to addressing climate Journey’) . RIC also organises workshops, turing of Germany’s Feed-in Law . change and promoting sustainable living .

Testing new responses to pressing challenges The idea for the Ecovillage of Sieben Linden use of solar energy, building with natural and was first tabled in 1989, and in 1997 a 77 local resources (straw, clay, timber), and cul- hectare site was purchased, which is now tivating organic food on-site . The populated home to a living community of 100 adults area and its ecosystems are also enhanced and 40 children . The broad goal of this by preserving and creating diverse habitats ecovillage is “to develop and test answers to for flora and fauna . pressing challenges such as climate change, economic crisis, unsustainable resource use The project is structured as a registered co- and social inequality ”. operative, with land and infrastructure be- longing to the inhabitants, all of whom are A specific objective is to reduce the ecologi- shareholders . Domestic budgets are the cal footprint of the community, which has so personal responsibility of the inhabitants . far been cut to 2,500 kg CO2 equivalents per The experience and knowledge developed head, or about one-third of the average eco- at Sieben Linden is offered through semi- © Nado logical footprint in Germany . This has been nars and participatory workshops to people Working together in the Ecovillage of Sieben Linden. achieved by focusing on the use of closed from all over the world . energy and resource cycles, including the Further details: http: //www .siebenlinden de. Local communities leading the way to a low-carbon society – AEIDL 21

During this ten-year period, Germany increased its total share of electricity from renewables from 3% to 25%, with energy production from renewables increasing from 5,000 MW in 1990 to 55,700 MW in 2010 .

The vast majority of the investments were made by cooperatives and small, community-owned businesses . An es- timated 60% of the financial investment to replace fossil fuels and came from private households, which now own 39% of all renewable energy plants in Germany . Cooperativa Integral Aragonesa (CIAR) Aragonesa Integral © Cooperativa

© EWS Spain – where cooperation Ursula Sladek of EWS received by President Obama at the White House in 2011. replaces competition In Spain, at the beginning of 2013 there were Spain also has many stand alone local ini- Schönau’s local an estimated 30 Transition groups, with an- tiatives with a focus climate change, such as energy cooperative other 14 groups in the early stages of devel- the cooperative Trigaza in Artesa de Villasur opment . The members of these initiatives (Burgos), Otxandio (Bizkaia), Tramallol (Sevilla), Schönau is a town of 2,500 people, situated were also in the process of establishing a Zemos98 (Sevilla), Amayuelas (Palencia), in the Black Forest, near the city of Freiburg . Spanish Hub to support networking and co- Quintanilla Montecabezas (Burgos) . In the early 1990s, the local community of operation at national level . Schönau set up the energy cooperative, Many of these initiatives focus initially on EWS, and bought the local electricity grid There were also 17 ecovillages in Spain, all ecological agriculture or other issues related when the license came up for renewal . To members of the Iberian Ecovillages Net- to local food production, but as they devel- raise the necessary funds, EWS launched work, and a network of around nine integral op, the scope of their activities widen to in- a nation-wide campaign, raising more than cooperatives, local citizen-led initiatives that clude projects such as time banks and local six million Deutschmarks (3 million Euros) . aim to progressively network all the basic currencies, distributed energy, composting, elements of an economy (production, con- recycling and recovery, and asset sharing . EWS Schönau currently has one thou- sumption, finance and social capital) and in- sand owners, all of whom are paid small tegrate all sectors needed to live outside the yearly dividends . It provides clean elec- traditional capitalist system . tricity to around 120,000 households and industrial clients, which it buys from sup- The aim of these cooperatives is to pro- pliers around Germany and generates mote a new way of life based around self- itself in and around Schönau . The main managed communities, where cooperation focus is on wind energy, bioenergy, solar replaces competition as the basic guide for energy and hydroelectric power . human co-existence . 22 Local communities leading the way to a low-carbon society – AEIDL

Poland – building local awareness and capacity In Poland, there are no known Transition groups, Ecovillages or Permaculture as- sociations, and no other community-based initiatives with a specific focus on climate change have been identified . However, there are other initiatives focusing on climate change that have a distinct local dimension and are seeking to increasingly involve local communities in their activities .

One such initiative is the DOKLIP (good climate for counties) project, which is part- funded by the EU LIFE programme and coordinated by the Polish Institute for Sus- tainable Development, an independent, non-governmental, non-profit organisation .

The main goal of DOKLIP is to raise aware- ness about climate change among civic leaders at county level, and to stimulate initi-

atives in support of practical local measures Archives Mazowiecki © Tomaszów to mitigate and adapt to the impact of cli- DOKLIP opening session in Tomaszów Mazowiecki. mate change . Specifically, the project aims to stimulate cooperation between stake- A model county for renewable energy holders at local level and to increase aware- The county of Kisielice in Iława recently carried out a project that was aimed at cre- ness about the importance of integrating ating an “energy self-sufficient municipality” . The project engaged with all sections measures for climate mitigation and adapta- of the local community in promoting the development of renewable energy sources tion into local development policy . (RES) and now serves as an example of a successful RES initiative in Poland .

A network of around 80 local leaders has EU funding for the DOKLIP project contin- Another Polish iniative is the Climate already been established and training is ues until 2015 . Beyond that, the intention is Coalition, an association of mainly envi- being provided for another 1,400, covering to continue the network of local leaders and ronment NGOs that are engaged in climate around 115 or one-third of all Polish coun- of counties through self-financing mecha- protection activities . Established in June ties . It is expected that other, non-partici- nisms, which are now being put in place . 2002, during the conference, ‘Stop global pating counties will also be encouraged to warming’ in Kazimierz Dolny, Poland, the get involved and to make better use of EU In addition to DOKLIP, which currently coalition aims to promote a more proactive funds to address climate change issues . operates at county-level, many Polish climate policy in Poland, and to monitor its municipalities are members of the Polish implementation . branch of the EU-wide Energy Cities ini- tiative, and some are also members of the Covenant of Mayors initiative . Local communities leading the way to a low-carbon society – AEIDL 23 Samsø Energy Academy Energy © Samsø

A 100% renewable Denmark – a European leader in community energy energy community In Denmark there are a number of local, Electricity and heat are by law non-profitable in 10 years community-based initiatives working either goods in Denmark, which has enabled local directly or indirectly on climate change is- community-based cooperatives to take the The island of Samsø was selected by sues . These include Transition initiatives, lead in the implementation of the energy the Danish Government in 1998 as a ecovillages, as well as transition . The price per kilowatt-hour for demonstration site for a community that and ethical food production and distribution electricity from community-owned wind would meet all its energy needs using re- projects . parks is now not only competitive with con- newable sources . ventional power production, but is actually Denmark also has a strong tradition of com- half the price of electricity from off-shore The local community, with government munity renewable energy generation (see wind parks . support, implemented a range of initia- Box) . While many other countries are still tives, such as a district heating systems struggling with local opposition to wind or Denmark is clearly on its way to achieving its based on biomass, combined heat and other green energy projects, and with the 100% renewable energy target for the elec- power (CHP) schemes, wind turbines integration of fluctuating energy from wind tricity, heat and transport sectors by 2050 . and solar heating projects, and a sus- and solar, Denmark has largely overcome However, in order to see developments else- tainable transport initiative . Many of these problem by giving local communities where in Europe similar to those in Denmark, these projects were organised through a financial stake in local energy projects, there is a need for national political frame- cooperatives and financing schemes and by combining heat and power and im- works that enable citizens and municipalities that ensured a strong involvement of lo- plementing district heating infrastructure to profit from this transition . cal inhabitants . across the country . █ Ten years after the project started, the island of around 4,000 inhabitants was not just 100% self-sufficient in renew- able energy, but was also exporting sur- plus energy to the Danish mainland . 24 Local communities leading the way to a low-carbon society – AEIDL

EU support and assistance

There are a number of EU and national more specific focus on promoting market case of the EAFRD, Fisheries local action programmes and initiatives that provide uptake of renewable energy technologies groups (FLAGs) in the case of the EFF, and support for community-based action on and energy efficiency measures . other local partnerships in the case of the climate change . Some of these have been Structural Funds . mentioned above but perhaps the most In addition, there are also certain EU pro- important at European level are the Intelli- grammes, such as the European Agricul- From 2014, these local intermediaries will gent Energy Europe (IEE) programme and tural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), have the possibility to simultaneously ac- the LIFE+ programme . the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) and cess funding from several different EU pro- the Structural Funds programmes that are grammes, giving them the opportunity to From 2014, the LIFE+ programme will in- implemented through national, regional or broaden the scope of their local develop- clude a specific sub-programme on Climate local intermediaries . Community-led local ment strategies and, therefore, the range of Action, which will provide support for pilot development has been a feature of these projects and initiatives they can support . and demonstration projects, including those programmes for many years now, imple- carried out by community-based groups mented through local intermediaries such or networks of such groups . The IEE has a as LEADER local action groups (LAGs) in the

LIFE support for local climate action in Finland The Finnish LIFE project, Climate Change climate science, as well as impacts, mitiga- Community Response Portal, successfully tion and adaptation measures; 2 . A ‘Maps, created an extensive web portal that brings graphs and data’ section, which provides together in one place, relevant and reli- users with observed and anticipated data able information on climate change relating on climate change and its impacts, includ- to Finland . The site, which is structured to ing future scenarios; and 3 . A ‘Community help local decision makers to integrate cli- Response Wizard’, which offers support, as mate change information into their planning well as options, for adaptation and mitiga- and decision making processes, is struc- tion for local-scale planning and decision- tured around three sections: 1 . A ‘Climate making . change explained’ section, which provides research-based information on physical Local communities leading the way to a low-carbon society – AEIDL 25 European Commission © European

This could lead to the improved availability material and documentation that provide of local funding for community-based ac- information on the results, lessons and ex- tion on climate change, but this will require periences of thousands of projects, includ- a considerable effort by all interested stake- ing many related to local action on climate holders, at all levels, to ensure climate action change . is recognised as a priority in local develop- ment strategies . █

In addition to the funding available from these different EU programmes, the sub- stantial body of projects already supported is also a valuable source of information and good practices . All of these programmes have web portals, which act as gateways to project databases, publications and other

€1.0 million for community- based energy in Oxford In the UK, Oxford City Council, in partnership with Oxfordshire County Council, was approved for a grant of €1 1. million from the IEE in 2012, as part of their £1 24. million OxFutures programme to develop community renewable energy and energy efficiency projects . The project is being spearheaded by a so- cial enterprise called the Low Carbon Hub, which is working with an active network of community-based groups to develop energy projects . The EU funding will help to broaden and accelerate this work, focus- ing mainly on investments in hydro-power and solar projects in the Oxford area . © Low Carbon Hub 26 Local communities leading the way to a low-carbon society – AEIDL

Time to go main stream

This preliminary investigation confirms the An interesting aspect of the work of groups existence of an active and rapidly growing in all countries, however, is that most have network of local, community-based groups taken a lead role in their communities in engaged in projects and initiatives on cli- terms of testing and demonstrating different mate change and sustainable development tools, technologies, models and approaches in Europe . that can help society to make the transition to a more sustainable and low carbon future . These projects and initiatives cover a wide range of activities, from information and In a wide range of areas, including transport,

awareness raising, to training, to invest- food and energy production, construction © Transition Town Totnes ment in capital and infrastructure, and also and , these groups are a wide range of thematic issues, from com- drawing on available knowledge, skills, tech- munity supported agriculture, to recycling, nologies and creativity to find new ways of The challenge and the opportunity now is to sustainable construction and renewable living and working that not just reduce car- make this experience and knowledge more energy production . bon emissions, but also help to spawn new widely available in order to accelerate the businesses and economic activities and en- transition that is now needed in society . The There is also considerable diversity between sure a greater respect for social justice and perils of climate change, the loss of biodiver- EU countries, in terms of both experience social equity . sity and others consequences of an inher- in applying community-based approaches, ently unsustainable socio-economic model and also in relation to the areas of focus . In doing this, they have achieved some are well documented and the need for ur- Some countries, such as the UK, for example, dramatic results: demonstrating that com- gent action is widely recognised . have a long tradition of community-based munities can be 100% self-sufficient in activity and have been successfully applying renewable energy, that our ecological Community-based initiatives have an impor- this to climate change issues for a number of footprint can be significantly reduced, that tant role to play . These initiatives have been years now, while others, such as Poland, are group purchasing can make new technolo- shown to be effective in bringing about be- only beginning to explore the potential of this gies more affordable, that communities can havioural change and in helping to establish approach . build wind farms, that local food production new norms in society . The wider application can deliver food that is healthier and more of these approaches must, therefore, be In terms of thematic focus, there are also no- sustainable, and that people can consume seen as an essential element of any broader table differences, with counties like France less and still be happy and fulfilled . strategy on climate change . and Italy, for example, having considerable experience and knowledge in the area of lo- cal food production and community support- ed agriculture, while countries like Denmark, Austria and Scotland have developed quite a wealth of experience in the area of communi- ty-based renewable energy production . Local communities leading the way to a low-carbon society – AEIDL 27

Time to go main stream Ltd Ireland Projects © Sustainable

Building a community of communities

Community-based approaches should not be seen in isolation . Their role must be seen in the context of wider action and an appro- priate support framework must be estab- lished in order to assist the further develop and replication of these approaches, without losing their essential local, bottom-up ethos .

At present, there is no overarching struc- ture to support this kind of activity in the EU, and while the more developed movements have established international coordinating bodies (Transition Network and the Global Eco­village Network), the scope of the net- working activities carried out is limited and

focused mainly on the existing members of Petitgand © Bernard these networks .

There is, for example, very little analysis of There is, however, a recognised need among All of this would also contribute to ad- what constitutes good practice and what stakeholders for a more proactive approach, dressing another identified need, that of and how this can be transferred and repli- with more attention given to identification fostering a “community of communities”, cated in other areas, and while some good and analysis of good practice, the establish- a one-stop shop for community action on links have been developed with research- ment and animation of thematic groupings, , a single voice at ers and universities, the dissemination of the production and dissemination of user- the policy making table in Brussels and a research results and effective communica- friendly guides, methodologies and informa- focal point or flag bearer for communities tion with the wider community of praction- tion material, and the facilitation of contact, across Europe that are committing their ers, potential practioners and policy makers collaboration and cooperation between time, energy and ideas to combating cli- remains a challenge . Existing networking groups and between networks . To facilitate mate change and, to the creation of a new, activities at international level also tend to true international networking, there is also a low-carbon society . be passive in nature, focusing primarily on need for a networking service that is multi- making information and knowledge available lingual and multi-cultural, with the capacity █ via web portals . to facilitate European-wide participation . Towards a European network for local community-based action on climate change As a follow up to this publication, AEIDL is currently facilitating a discussion with partners from across Europe on the establishment of a European network to support local, community-based action on climate change . Those interested in contributing to this initiative are invited to contact AEIDL at the following address: enlacc @ aeidl . eu

Supported by AEIDL

AEIDL (Association Européenne pour l’Information sur le Développement Local) is a not-for- profit association with a focus on promoting and supporting sustainable local development in Europe . AEIDL has particular expertise in the coordination of European networks, com- munications, publishing, event management and web design, especially in the areas of local development (rural, urban), the environment, employment and social affairs, and citizenship .

Further details at: www .aeidl .eu