HYBES Consortium Gathers in Bodø

Nordland Research Institute, the leading partner of HYBES, and Bodø Municipality hosted the meeting. Over two days, participants worked on how to involve citizens in decarbonisation, saving energy, and using more renewable energy.

On the first day, partners gathered at Nordland Research Institute to review progress on the first part of the project. They discussed results from Co-Creation Cafes, how cultural events and festivals can help people learn about cutting carbon emissions, and the use of Living Labs to encourage people to change their habits.

One of Hybes' main achievements is improving the living lab method and idea based on what they have learned. Project manager, Bjarne Lindelør from NRI, comments:

“The living lab method has been shown to be effective in exchanging knowledge between regions, to address challenges of replication and to support transnational working to implement joint solutions towards improving energy performance and decarbonisation.”

Work Package 2 was also discussed on the first day, with draft reports on macro energy analyses in Umeå and Bodø. The group also looked at energy monitoring tools for social housing and schools. These tools are designed to help other municipalities reduce energy use and cut carbon emissions.

Macro energy analyses use scenario-based Life Cycle Assessment with both energy mix and marginal approaches to measure emissions. The study found that the marginal approach shows much greater potential for reducing emissions, especially when fossil fuels like coal are the marginal energy sources. Lindeløv believes this tool can help city planners and support decisions that meet climate goals.

On the second day, the group met at Bodø Town Hall to discuss progress on Work Package 3. Draft reports included test projects in solar power, geothermal energy, and updating old buildings, along with plans for local energy storage and sharing systems to encourage more people to use electric cars. Lindeløv notes that moving from saving energy in single buildings to making whole neighbourhoods more flexible with energy will be essential for future city planning.

Lindeløv also pointed out another group effort: the Citizen Guide to Decarbonisation. This guide will provide practical, proven advice to demonstrate to people and organisations the environmental and financial benefits of reducing carbon emissions. It will offer tips for building managers, businesses, and tenants, and explain the benefits of different ways to reduce carbon. A primary goal of this guide is to help people take action and change habits by giving clear advice to increase understanding of decarbonisation.

Education was another key topic. Partners looked at the Carbon Schools initiative and talked about updating school curricula to include measures to cut carbon emissions, aiming for lasting changes in behaviour. Lindeløv said that educating children and young people is a vital part of decarbonisation efforts. He explained that using student-led projects and hands-on learning can connect global sustainability issues to local situations.

The meeting ended with plans for the upcoming HYBES End Conference, where the team will present project results and discuss ways to expand solutions across the NPA region.

The HYBES project continues to gain momentum in its mission to support changing citizen behaviour, encourage energy saving, and implement renewable solutions for climate challenges unique to the northern periphery. All the project results will be clearly included in the “Capitalisation Plan”, a main document to check the HYBES model, which will help make sure HYBES results last beyond the project’s lifetime.