Advancing Climate Action: UrbanChange Approach
Climate Action as a Sustainable Development Goal
The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are at a critical crossroads. The 2023 report paints a grim picture: with 2030 approaching, just 12% of targets are on course, nearly half are struggling, and 30% are either stagnant or regressing from 2015 levels. This situation demands immediate and urgent attention.
For instance, consider Goal #13, which focuses on “Climate action.” It’s facing significant challenges. According to the report, we’re very close to a climate disaster, and our efforts to deal with it are falling short. Here are some of the key points from the recent UN SDG Progress Report Draft:
- Carbon dioxide levels increased a lot from 2020 to 2021. They’re now 149% higher than they were before we started using a lot of machines and factories.
- Unless we take substantial and swift action right now, within this decade, to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in all sectors, we risk missing the 1.5°C target. This could endanger the lives of more than 3 billion people.
The points above serve as a stark reminder of the importance of achieving these goals for a better future, not only for us but also for the generations to come. It is imperative that we act swiftly and collaboratively to make significant progress toward achieving the UN SDGs.
However, the crucial question remains: how do we engage people to take actions toward achieving these goals? How can we encourage them to take action?
This is where the UrbanChange Protocol comes into play. Through UrbanChange, organizations can define objectives and effectively engage individuals in taking action to accomplish those goals.
To learn more about how it works, continue reading below.
*Sustainable Development Goals — a collection of seventeen interlinked objectives formulated by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and designed to serve as a “shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.”
**Climate Action — goal #13, “take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.”(source)
Turn Budget into Impact
Achieving ambitious goals is often challenging for cities and organizations. They face difficulties engaging communities, building trust, and ensuring budget transparency. Moreover, there are limited options available to reward and recognize civic engagement efforts. This underscores the importance of trust-building, transparency, and meaningful incentives.
This is where the UrbanChange Protocol comes into play.
The UrbanChange Protocol introduces LocalCoins, creating an ecosystem that encourages actions in areas like Climate Action, Sustainability, Education, and more. Residents can earn user-friendly LocalCoins for their contributions to community goals and can exclusively spend them at local businesses, thereby promoting a circular economy.
Now, let’s explore some use cases in detail.
At UrbanChange, we believe in the power of communities and every single resident. In this post, and similar posts, we present some of the use cases that emerged from our global community, representing ideas that resonate with people’s needs and aspirations.
The use cases are aligned with the following SDG goals:
Let’s explore the top use cases that emerged from our community in the “Climate Action” category.
Note: Images in this article are submitted by our community members, respecting their original authorship and content.
Use Case #1: UrbanChange Climate Heroes
Author: @O_G (X -Twitter)
Initiative: Community members are encouraged to adopt practices that can make a positive difference for the environment and climate in particular. For instance, promoting the use of renewable energy, which effectively reduces carbon emissions and has a significantly lower environmental footprint.
How to calculate the impact in this case?
We can imagine calculations as follows (the proportions are customizable):
- $150k = 15,000 trees planted to offset carbon emissions
- $200k = 200 households transitioning to renewable energy
How to verify the actions?
Community members can contribute actively by hosting workshops on renewable energy or installing solar panels. Validation for panel installation can be through rooftop photos or related documents. Event confirmation can use event materials or images. An appointed committee can oversee verification. For those finding renewable energy adoption difficult, recognition can come from lowering conventional energy usage. Proof can be in the form of electricity bills or consumption data.
This use case idea brilliantly embodies the circularity that the UrbanChange Protocol enables. Once community members receive LocalCoins for supporting climate action, they can then use these tokens for other targeted activities that hold significance for the community. For example, these earned rewards could be utilized to attend workshops dedicated to the same climate action, further emphasizing the community’s commitment to this pivotal cause.
Use Case #2: Urban Gardens for a Greener Future
Author: @O_G (X -Twitter)
Initiative: Community members can earn LocalCoins by participating in gardening activities. These activities might involve maintaining personal gardens or assisting with the upkeep of community green spaces, like local parks. The emphasis on nurturing gardening endeavors could yield positive effects on the climate, as plants are known to notably curtail carbon emissions.
How to calculate the impact in this case?
We can imagine calculations as follows (the proportions are customizable):
- $150k = 15,000 plants planted or maintained
- $200k = 20,000 hours of community members participating in gardening activities
How to verify the actions?
To validate their involvement, participants can submit pictures or receipts as proof of completed gardening tasks. Additionally, an on-site community verification team could physically confirm these actions, ensuring their authenticity.
Many members of our community, particularly those from European cities, seem to like this use case idea. We hope to see it come to life one day in various places, including small towns and big cities like Rome or Warsaw.
Use Case #3: Eco-Education
Author: @tomi_kava (X -Twitter)
Initiative: Within university settings, an initiative could be established to incentivize students and university staff to earn LocalCoins through various climate-positive actions. For instance, participants could accumulate LocalCoins by opting for eco-friendly commuting methods like walking or biking to campus, thereby contributing to reduced carbon emissions. Moreover, individuals can also gain LocalCoins by either arranging or attending workshops and lectures dedicated to climate change.
How to calculate the impact in this case?
We can imagine calculations as follows (the proportions are customizable):
- $150k = 30,000 workshop or lecture attendances dedicated to climate change
- $90k = 9,000 participants arranging or leading climate-related workshops or lectures
How to verify the actions?
Participants can utilize dedicated apps to ensure precise tracking of their walking or biking activities. When it comes to workshops, community members have the option to provide visual evidence, such as event photos or used tickets.
This concept is truly intriguing, as it has the potential to be implemented within universities. Offering incentives for education, particularly on environmentally significant matters, could yield a substantial and enduring impact on community well-being.
Use Case #4: Use Bike — Be Happy
Author: @Andrzej.btc (X -Twitter)
Initiative: Community members can earn LocalCoins for using city bikes instead of cars, thereby reducing their carbon footprint and promoting eco-friendly transportation.
How to calculate the impact in this case?
We can imagine calculations as follows (the proportions are customizable):
- $150k = 150,000 kilometers traveled on city bikes
- $90k = 9,000 community members actively choosing city bikes over cars
How to verify the actions?
Community members could log their bike rides through the dedicated apps, providing evidence of their eco-friendly choice.
Among our community, this use case idea stands out as one of the most popular. It appears that there is a strong desire for incentivized sustainable transportation options among people.
Bring UrbanChange to Your Community
Every city and community has its unique characteristics and priorities. While the use cases presented in this post may resonate with some communities, they might not align with the goals of others.
What makes the UrbanChange protocol truly amazing is its adaptability to different community needs. Whether it’s promoting climate action, education, health, or other initiatives, the protocol has the power to efficiently and transparently transform budgets into impactful outcomes.
If you’re curious to learn more about the UrbanChange protocol and how it can benefit your community, we invite you to book a demo here and discover its potential firsthand.
Are you a resident with a vision for a brighter future in your local community? Join our Quests, and become part of the UrbanChange movement. Share your use case ideas, contribute to our Medium posts, and earn exciting rewards along the way. Together, let’s create positive change and make a difference in communities around the world!
