Climate solutions are all around

Imagine the possibility to heat public spaces using clean energy sourced from the movement of people passing by. And imagine household lifts operating on solar power, food produced with minimal water or energy resources and technology allowing you to check the environmental impact of your shopping basket…

If this sounds like science fiction, think again. These are only some of the climate-friendly solutions discovered through the European Commission's A world you like. With a climate you like campaign which comes to an official close today.

Since its launch in October 2012, this EU-wide campaign invited citizens, companies and organisations from across Europe to share their best climate solutions. Focusing on five areas – travel and transport, building and living, producing and innovating, shopping and eating, and re-use and recycling – the campaign found a wealth of innovative, cost-efficient solutions showing how Europeans take climate action in their everyday lives.

European Commissioner for Climate Action Connie Hedegaard said: "Creative ideas and concrete projects for a low-carbon society are already mushrooming throughout Europe. They show that climate action can save money and create jobs and growth. It’s now on us to make these solutions the norm and create a world we like with a climate we like!"

A key part of the campaign was the World You Like Challenge, a contest calling for creative minds from across the EU to put their low-carbon innovations to the test. The Portuguese project "Sown Biodiverse Pastures" was selected as the overall winner. The Challenge also rewarded one climate solution in each of the campaign’s five target countries – Bulgaria, Lithuania, Italy, Poland and Portugal.

The campaign succeeded in reaching millions of Europeans through a variety of online and offline channels: an interactive website, social media, electronic media, and press and campaign events in several EU member states. It also received the support of high-level politicians and celebrities, and teamed up with 320 partners from all sectors of society.

Read more:

• IP/13/1298 – Climate solutions are all around
• IP/13/1049 - Portuguese project crowned best climate solution in European competition
• World you like on DG Climate Action's website
• EU Climate Action on Facebook
• EU Climate Action on Twitter #worldulike