EDAPHIC-BLOOM Danube 2

EDAPHIC-BLOOM Danube

Greenhouse Gas Mitigation in the Danube Delta

This project is part of the European Climate Initiative (EUKI) of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU). It is the overall goal of the EUKI to promote climate cooperation within the European Union (EU) in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Our Steinbeis Danube Center contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by participating in the EDAPHIC-BLOOM Danube project. Responsible Steinbeis experts: Roxana Boboruta. Jurgen Raizner.

How to benefit from EDAPHIC-BLOOM Danube? NEWS.

Objectives

EDAPHIC-BLOOM DANUBE aims to increase the capacities for reducing greenhouse gases in the target region by maintaining and restoring organic soils (EDAPHIC). The focus of the BLOOM component is the improvement of energy efficiency in the area of ​​the built environment.

Background

Both in the European Union and worldwide, drained organic soils make a significant contribution to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. In the long term, the drainage of moors must be stopped in order to be emission-free by 2050 (EDAPHIC). BLOOM: Buildings are responsible for around 40% of energy consumption and 36% of CO 2 emissions in the EU. Comprehensive retrofitting of buildings can save more than 50% of the energy required.

Project partner from Romania

  • Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development (DDNI)
  • General Secretariat of the Government, Department of Sustainable Development (DDD)
  • Tulcea Municipality
  • National Research and Development Institute for Soil Science, Agrochemistry and Environment (ICPA)
  • National Research and Development in Construction, Urban Planning and Sustainable Development (Urban-Incerc)

Project partner from Germany

  • Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
  • Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences
  • Steinbeis Danube Center

EDAPHIC-BLOOM Danube

The EDAPHIC component of the project organizes local climate protection measures to preserve soil organic matter and offers advice, workshops and training. These provide environmental authorities and local communities with the necessary skills and knowledge to increase the capacity of organic soils and to respond to climate change effects. Second, the project develops a Master Plan (MP) and good practices guide for reducing the GHG emissions, proposing solutions for sustainable land management. Third, to disseminate the MP and good practices guide, the project sets up the “Cluster for Sustainable Development of the Lower Danube Plain and Danube Delta”. Members include project partners, local authorities, universities and research institutes from Romania and Germany, private land owners and administrators, and NGOs. The cluster creates space for efficient dialogue, exchange of good practices, awareness raising, and knowledge transfer between members. Furthermore, a dissemination plan including conferences, workshops, trainings, roundtables, and a documentary film lays out the necessary communication infrastructure to involve a wide range of stakeholders.

EDAPHIC-BLOOM Danube

With regard to the energy efficiency of buildings, the BLOOM component of the project ensures capacity building and knowledge exchange through various means: first, it creates a regional energy efficiency map. This provides public authorities and professionals with valuable information on the existing building stock as well as the basis for public buildings’ energy audits. Second, at least 20 professionals from the built environment sector receive training and examination for Certified Passive House Tradesperson (PHTP), according to the “Passivhaus Standard” developed in Germany. Third, the project creates an online platform to enable access to knowledge and support the development of future retrofit projects. Finally, in order to raise public awareness and include local communities, the project organises two “urban living labs” to discuss and promote sustainable energy practices and behaviours.