What are we talking about?
Climate change is gathering pace. If catastrophic effects are to be avoided, rich countries need to make drastic cuts in their greenhouse gas emissions by the middle of this century. By the year 2050, typical European countries will have to reduce their emissions from today’s 11 tonnes to just 2 tonnes per capita. That means a fundamental shift to a low-carbon society.
Some argue that such a shift is only possible if we give up much of the comfort we now take for granted in Europe and elsewhere. We believe that this is not necessarily true, but that the contrary must be proven. The public needs to be convinced that fighting climate change does not mean adopting a lower quality of life, but a different, maybe even a higher one. Only then will governments receive strong enough popular support to make substantial decisions leading to a low-carbon society.
What will be the contribution of Shift 2050?
Shift 2050 will highlight showcases for a low-carbon society. A growing number of initiatives already optimise specific emission drivers, such as heating/insulation, energy production or transportation. Shift 2050 aims at providing an overview of these initiatives by serving as a central platform and crystallising best practise projects that will be called “Shift Places”. The attention will be placed on projects with a comprehensive approach that have an impact on the lifestyle of Shift Place visitors. Shift 2050 shows what tomorrow’s low-carbon lifestyle will look like and accelerates the transition to a low-carbon society.
How is Shift 2050 executed?
Shift Speedup! focuses on accelerating and strengthening climate protection at selected Shift Places and on providing platforms for networking. Selected Shift Places will be granted privileged access to public and independent sources of funding as well as to innovative products and solutions from corporate partners. Shift Speedup! will also offer regular meetings as platforms for participants to discuss their experiences with experts, corporate partners and other stakeholders, to find solutions to common problems and to initiate joint projects.