2° private

Many people see the need to make a contribution to climate protection through individual action. There is now also a wealth of information on how to save energy. However, everyday routines usually mean that changes in behavior are not tackled or well-intentioned plans are abandoned when it proves all too easy to return to old, cherished habits. The climate coach, following the example of the fitness trainer, analyzes the personal fitness or climate balance of his client and helps him to draw up a training plan in the areas of mobility, consumption, living and nutrition. If necessary, he makes adjustments, ensures that the exercises are carried out correctly and shows ways in which further progress can be achieved. In addition, he not only calculates exactly how much_CO2 has been saved, but also how much money has been left over from saving energy and how much time has been saved. This transparent “accounting” makes the double benefit of_{CO2 reduction measures} immediately clear: climate protection on the one hand and simultaneous cost savings for the individual household on the other. In a pilot project as a UfU in-house project in 2012, a family is currently receiving intensive support over a period of one year. First, the family’s energy consumption was analyzed and presented in_{CO2 equivalents}. A possible list of measures to reduce these emissions was then proposed and agreed with the family. During weekly visits, ongoing checklists are used to review the progress made in saving energy, where there are problems with implementation and what alternative actions can be proposed for unworkable measures. The actual_{CO2 savings} are compared with the monetary savings on an ongoing basis and a final balance sheet is drawn up after one year. Finally, an evaluation is carried out to determine which behavioral changes have been sustainably rehearsed by the family and adopted in everyday life.