A transnational cooperation perspective for “low carbon economy”

Abstract

Many of Europe’s local/regional actors struggle with developing targeted, implementation-oriented policies addressing low carbon challenges. This work describes the project LOCARBO, already in the early stage of implementation, financed by the INTERREG EUROPE Program. The project is mainly oriented at improving regional programming and main policy instruments in order to innovate low carbon strategies looking at the best European practices properly transferred in each implementation context. A peculiarity of the approach promoted by the project is the involvement of citizens in order to spread sustainable behaviours based on a formal ‘green’ agreement among users, local administrations and business/services operators. The challenge to involve and motivate stakeholders (especially energy consumers) is perceived broadly as a major problem for public authorities. Motivation and awareness of consumers are of high significance to influence their behaviour and support more conscious energy decisions.