MonSta

Project goals

The aim of the project is to develop and refine standards that will enable local authorities to assess the impact of local climate action measures efficiently and effectively. The standards developed are intended to

• ensure the measurability, comparability, transparency and consistency of local authority climate action,
• be compatible with the objectives of the national climate action strategy,
• address the full realisation of municipal climate action potential,
• be scientifically sound whilst also being practical for different types of local authority,
• review and adjust methodological assumptions,
• consider non-energy-related emissions and the LULUCF sector, and
• provide more precise guidelines on data sources, calculation methods and data quality.

Another key priority is to develop the standards in such a way that they can be widely applied, institutionalised and disseminated through existing multipliers.

Procedure

The project follows an iterative, transparent and participatory approach. Key elements include the systematic analysis of the current state of research and existing standards, the active involvement of local authorities, regional representatives, experts and tool providers through surveys, workshops and pilot schemes, and the testing of the developed standards in pilot municipalities.

Content and work packages

The project is divided into several interlinked work packages (WP):

• WP 1 | Further development of BISKO and information materials: The existing standard for municipal energy and greenhouse gas accounting (BISKO) is being further developed in the light of new scientific findings and practical experience. Alongside this, target-group-specific information materials (e.g. guides, checklists, FAQs) are being produced for local authorities and service providers.
• WP 2 | Development of further standards for comprehensive climate protection monitoring: To complement emissions accounting, further monitoring elements are being developed and standardised, such as standardised measure fact sheets for the planning and monitoring of local authority climate protection measures, a methodology for determining and documenting the full realisation of municipal potential (e.g. renewable energy, sinks), a standard for municipal climate protection and target scenarios on the path to greenhouse gas neutrality; the further development and standardisation of the municipal impact assessment; an accounting standard for greenhouse gas emissions from local authorities; and the revision and expansion of municipal climate protection indicators.
• WP 3 | Integration into a monitoring system: The individual monitoring standards are integrated into a single, modular climate action monitoring system that takes account of different local circumstances and provides practical guidance.