The European Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation project MICAT – Multiple Impacts Calculation Tool aims to develop a comprehensive approach  to estimate Multiple Impacts of Energy Efficiency (MI-EE) by co-creating a free, easy-to-use, scientifically sound online tool (MICATool). The tool will enable policy-makers and practitioners to conduct simplified analyses for different data and policy scenarios, in order to compare and assess the relevance of the multiple impacts, and strengthen reporting and monitoring at the local, national, and European level.  The initial predevelopment phase is already taking place as 3 European municipalities have been selected for pilotage.

There is still significant potential to improve energy efficiency in all sectors and on different levels (local, national, EU). While low-hanging fruits have already been picked, closing the “energy efficiency gap” in order to deliver on the European Green Deal and to reach the ambitious targets that Europe set itself for 2030 and 2050 is easier said than done. Studies have highlighted that energy savings are not always sufficient to convince consumers or policy makers in investing in energy efficiency. Broadening the perspective by highlighting non-energy benefits of EE measures and quantifying their additional value could help close this gap and facilitate better energy-relevant decisions and policy-making.

“The MICATool will enable policy-makers and practitioners to conduct simplified analyses for different data and policy scenarios, in order to compare and assess the relevance of the multiple impacts, and strengthen reporting and monitoring at the three governance levels”. – says Dr. Katharina Wohlfarth from Fraunhoffer Institute, the MICAT Project Lead. “By instance. under the reporting on target progress at EU level; for Integrated National Energy and Climate Plans NECP or other reporting requirements at national levels as well as local reporting on energy efficiency within Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAPs). The learnings and efforts of the MICAT project will definitely help to establish a  semi-standardized tool for the evaluation of energy efficiency policies regarding their non-energy impacts.“ – Ms. Wohlfarth adds.

The MICAT tool will be tested on three different levels: local, national and European. On a local level, three MICAT Pilot Cities will help co-design and test the tool: Calvia and Vitoria-Gasteiz in Spain, and Tartu in Estonia,  have committed to co-develop and test the MICAT tool over a two-year period – starting in Spring 2021, and lasting until Spring 2023.

Find more information here.