Buildings are responsible for approximately 40% of energy consumption and around 36% of greenhouse gas emissions in Europe. These emissions mainly arise from construction, use, renovation, and demolition. Public buildings play a special role in this context, as the public sector has a responsibility to lead by example in implementing energy efficiency measures and to credibly support climate goals. Nevertheless, the annual renovation rate of public buildings remains low. In fact, technical, operational and behavioural measures must go hand in hand. A study by the International Energy Agency (IEA) indicates that a combination of these measures can achieve up to a 30% reduction in energy consumption. Unfortunately, unclear responsibilities and diffusion of responsibility hinder progress, leading to stagnation and frustration. The diverse uses and user groups of public buildings and varying structural conditions complicate efforts to enhance energy efficiency and present unique obstacles. In order to tackle these challenges, local public authorities and the building users require better cooperation and participation processes and knowledge-base about effective behavioural measures. Focus of Flip-EC is on establishing the commitment and involvement of the users, based on the incremental but long-lasting behavioural change. Flip-EC solves structural hurdles, diffusion of responsibilities and lack of awareness of both target groups, brings them and their interests together to ultimately promote a faster and more durable implementation of energy-saving measures and ensure efficient and needs-based operation of public buildings.

Energy efficiency is often associated with renovation, technology, or significant financial investment. These are essential, but they are not enough on their own. Everyday decisions about heating, ventilation, lighting, and the use of rooms also shape energy consumption and building management. Flip-EC focuses on low-cost lasting changes in behaviour, which can be more easily replicated in most municipalities around Europe. These changes can support technical measures and enhance their durability.

The project has moved from the initial set-up and analysis phase into a much more concrete stage. We have not only held partner meetings, focus groups, user journey and co-creation workshops. We also translated these insights into first practical project outputs, the Municipal Synergy and Participation Blueprint and the Joint Responsibility Framework that are being tested at the pilot sites. Our 14 pilot sites enable fruitful engagement across six countries of the Baltic Sea Region (Denmark, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia). This transnational work also gives Flip-EC the opportunity to create collaboration blueprints, which are transferable to further municipalities in Europe.