Pilot and outreach initiative to decarbonise a neighbourhood

In its ‘Burgenland 2030’ climate strategy, the province of Burgenland aims to become climate- and energy-neutral by 2030. Burgenland Energie AG plays a key role in this, driving the regional energy transition as a leading company in the renewable energy sector with a wide range of sustainable product solutions for households, businesses and local authorities. A key pilot project is the complete decarbonisation and electrification of a district in a municipality in southern Burgenland. The area is predominantly home to older and vulnerable residents living in detached houses with outdated heating systems fuelled by wood, oil or gas. Against this backdrop, significant questions arise regarding future building use, ownership structures and the specific needs of residents, who differ markedly from previous target groups for modern energy solutions. The project is being implemented with a focus on innovation and is receiving scientific support from Forschung Burgenland. The aim is to develop a communication and implementation concept tailored to the target group that promotes social acceptance and participation, as well as to assess the model’s transferability to other communities in Burgenland. Forschung Burgenland supports the implementation through participatory approaches and social science methods.