The Intensify Final Conference was held on the 9th and 10th of November in Cork. Intensify focuses on more carbon reduction through intense community engagement. The partners, project stakeholders and interested parties from across Europe attended the conference detailing their Regional Action Plans and the pilot actions developed during the project. Intensify highlights the need for community engagement and a combined effort to reduce carbon emissions to combat climate change effects.
Intensify Lead Partner Milton Keynes highlighted the Electric Vehicle Experience Centre and the Low Carbon Conference held in Milton Keynes in November 2021. Vitoria-Gasteiz spoke about refurbishing and instilling sustainability in municipal buildings and engaging with communities in the creation of energy communities. Energap, the Energy and Climate Agency of Podravje aims to improve the sustainability of the surrounding municipalities. Energap’s Regional Action Plan focused on the development of a One Stop Shop and engage citizens on energy matters and the availability of an Energy Kit to diagnose heat losses in a building. Treviso, our partner in Italy has improved the efficiency of schools and engaged with students with an online platform to monitor energy use thorough smart meters. The Regional Action Plan from Zadar focused on renovation of schools, public buildings and family homes in the municipality. Lastly, Cork City Council presented on the development of the Home Energy Upgrade Office and an online platform which engages the public about energy efficiency and empowers them with the knowledge to take action to reduce carbon emissions.
The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Deirdre Forde proudly welcomed the attendees to the Final Conference in Cork and spoke about Cork’s pathway to carbon neutral by 2030. Cork has been chosen as one of Europe’s 100 Climate Neutral Cities along with our Intensify Project Partners in Vitoria-Gasteiz. Milton Keynes Cabinet Member Jennifer Wilson-Marklew spoke passionately about the collective need for changing our behaviour to energy use and engaging with communities to empower them with the knowledge to enable upgrade of their homes. Milton Keynes are powering ahead with sustainability initiatives receiving prestigious planning awards from the South East Royal Town Planning Institute. The Intensify Project has influenced these initiatives through community engagement and encouraging actions to reducing our carbon emissions.
For more information on the Regional Action Plans, please follow this link: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/intensify/library/
To view images from the Intensify Final Conference, please follow this link: projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/intensify/library/
