Research project LESS is more

The "LESS is more" project aims to support sustainable thinking and actions of people in Kassel, along with integrating regional climate protection projects. The approach should also be transferable to other municipalities. 

The poject's core is the development of an app inwhich users can record their indiviudal CO2 emissions. The app will continuously report back the impact of their own actions. This will determine an annual reduction target which will be continuously refined over time in line with the climate targets set by the city of Kassel.

To achieve the target, various compensation options are proposed to users. These can include changes in everyday actions, challenges (for example, amongst city districts, friend groups, and employees) as well as support for regional climate protection projects.

While Fraunhofer IEE calculates and balances the data required for the app, the University of Kassel analyzes user behavior. Ecological, economic and socio-cultural aspects are combined holistically here.

The difference between LESS is more and other climate apps is that the energy transition is driven locally by end users and personal behavior is the focus of the analysis.

The app is to be developed over the next few months and will then be open to the public. Through joint activities and competitions, users will be able to encourage each other to reduce the CO2 emissions of not only their own district but their whole city. Playful elements in the app promote learning and understanding whilst motivating users to try out their own ways to reduce CO2 emissions.