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SDG 13: EIT Climate-KIC is Europe’s largest climate innovation agency

"What lies ahead after the ‘easy stuff’ on the path to net-zero has already been done is unprecedented and more difficult: structural change in social, economic and financial systems.", said Joe Naimer-Stach.

03.04.2020.

Systems Change. Not Climate-Change.

We present you the Interview with Joe Naimer-Stach, country manager (aka Climate Warrior) at EIT Climate-KIC Austria, an organization that does so much in achieving the SDG 13.

What’s EIT Climate-KIC up to?

EIT Climate-KIC is Europe’s largest climate innovation agency. We focus on the rapid and broad-based systems transformation. The reason for this is that we now need to build prosperous, resilient AND net-zero-carbon societies. EIT stands for “European Institute of Innovation and Technology” and “KIC” stands for “Knowledge and Innovation Community”. Having to explain two acronyms in our name is always a joy! And I can assure you that “Joe” is not another one.

How do you contribute to the Climate Action Sustainable Development Goal?

We are working in over 30 countries with more than 400 forward-thinking partners to make sure that innovation is driving systems change. Across most industries in Europe, the ‘easy stuff’ on the path to net-zero has already been done, mostly through cleaner energy supply and some efficiency measures. What lies ahead is unprecedented and more difficult: structural change in social, economic and financial systems. This means fundamental transformations of city systems, of whole industries and the way we use land.

Our “Healthy Clean Cities” deep demonstration approach, for example, provides a testbed for tackling multiple societal challenges in an integrated and holistic way. We look at topics like waste, mobility, heat, power, buildings, infrastructure, fuel poverty, skills, jobs, well-being, etc. which seem like different things at first sight, but in the end they pose interrelated challenges. And we need to act on different levels, like regulations, new business models or awareness to create systemic change. And since we are a pan-European programme, we do this across multiple cities in Europe in order to let the decision-makers in those cities learn fast what works and what doesn’t.

Is this happening in Austria?

Yes, absolutely! We are very proud to just be starting to work with the City of Vienna. And there are 14 other ambitious municipalities in Europe working in this program together with Vienna to ensure that they become more resilient and healthier places to live, while reaching net-zero emissions as soon as possible. But we’re also supporting young green start-up founders in Austria in scaling up their business and by helping them tackle the systems and industries that they are working with to become climate-friendly.

Can you help our readers to support the Climate Action SDG?

We are organizing a climate action hackathon called “Climathon” in various locations in Austria and more than 100 cities worldwide. Check out Climathon.climate-kic.org to register for the next one in fall and to see what ideas were developed so far. They are a great place to find like-minded people for climate action. We also run an accelerator programme in Vienna that gives access to climate warriors across Europe [check out www.climate-kic-dach.org for more info!]. This programme has supported more than 1,500 green startups so far and if you have the pocket money for climate action you can also support them on our Investor Marketplace. (laughs)

Follow EIT Climate-KIC and join their activities.

This interview was conducted by the editorial office of the Innovation Review [www.climate-kic.org/news-insights]

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