Because of its dependency on air transport, mitigating tourism greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions might become the most important challenge for the sustainability of the sector. Moreover climate change mitigation will be more and more in conflict with other sustainability objectives such as poverty alleviation and biodiversity conservation through tourism. Indeed, tourism increasingly contributes to global GHG emissions. Transport, and in particular air transport, have the largest share in those emissions, with respectively 75 per cent and 40 per cent of the tourism 5 per cent share of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions estimated for 2005 (UNWTO et al. 2008). In terms of the actual contribution to climate change, measured in radiative forcing, the share of air transport is between 54 per cent and 83 per cent of tourism, depending on assumptions made on non-CO2 effects of aviation (Scott et al. 2010). Projections show a strong growth, with more than a doubling by 2035 (UNWTO et al. 2008). In a context where climate policies try to maintain global warming within the limit of +2 °C, this current tourism growth is apparently at odds with global emission reduction targets (Bows, Anderson and Peeters, 2007; Gössling et al. 2010).
Because of its dependency on air transport, mitigating tourism greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions might become the most important challenge for the sustainability of the sector. Moreover climate change mitigation will be more and more in conflict with other sustainability objectives such as poverty alleviation and biodiversity conservation through tourism. Indeed, tourism increasingly contributes to global GHG emissions. Transport, and in particular air transport, have the largest share in those emissions, with respectively 75 per cent and 40 per cent of the tourism 5 per cent share of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions estimated for 2005 (UNWTO et al. 2008). In terms of the actual contribution to climate change, measured in radiative forcing, the share of air transport is between 54 per cent and 83 per cent of tourism, depending on assumptions made on non-CO2 effects of aviation (Scott et al. 2010). Projections show a strong growth, with more than a doubling by 2035 (UNWTO et al. 2008). In a context where climate policies try to maintain global warming within the limit of +2 °C, this current tourism growth is apparently at odds with global emission reduction targets (Bows, Anderson and Peeters, 2007; Gössling et al. 2010).
Background:Many business intelligence surveys demonstrate that Digital Realities (Virtual reality and Augmented Reality) are becoming a huge market trend in many sectors, and North America is taking the lead in this emerging domain. Tourism is no exception and the sector in Europe must innovate to get ahead of the curve of this technological revolution, but this innovation needs public support.Project partnership:In order to provide labs, startups and SMEs willing to take this unique opportunity with the most appropriate support policies, 9 partner organizations from 8 countries (FR, IT, HU, UK, NO, ES, PL, NL) decided to work together: regional and local authorities, development agencies, private non-profit association and universities.Objective of the project:Thanks to their complementary experiences and know-how, they intend to improve policies of the partner regions (structural funds and regional policies), in order to foster a tourist channeled innovation in the Digital Realities sector.Approach:All partners will work together on policy analysis tasks before exchanging their best initiatives and transferring them from one country to another. This strong cooperation will allow them to build the best conditions to foster innovation thanks to more effective structural funds policies and regional policies.Main activities & outputs:8 policy instruments are addressed, among which 7 relate to structural funds programmes. Basis for exchange of experience: Reciprocal improvement analysis and 8 study trips with peer-review of each partner’s practices. Video reportages for an effective dissemination towards other territories in Europe.Main expected results:At least 16 good practices identified. 8 targeted policy instruments improved. At least 27 staff members will transfer new capacities in their intervention fields. At least 8 involved stakeholders with increased skills and knowledge from exchange of experience. Expected 17 appearances in press and media, including at European level.
E-cycling intelligence is a research project directly connected to the PhD-research of Joost de Kruijf at the Utrecht University. Within the program the effects of the introduction of e-bikes in daily commuting are being investigated. Using a large-scale incentive program targeting on behavioral change among car-oriented commuters the next four specific components are being :- Modal shift to e-cycling- Well-being and travel satisfaction of e-bikes vs. car- Weather circumstances and e-cycling- Behavioral intention to e-bike vs. actual behavior Using a combination of three surveys (baseline, one month and half a year) and continuous GPS-measurement on the behavior of more than 800 participants makes this research unique. In collaboration with the TU/e the GPS-dataset is being translated into relevant information on modal shift on different trip purposes offering a new range of possibilities to analyses behavioral change. Knowledge on every of the four topics in the project is translated scientific paper. The expected end of the project is July 2021.With the research not new insights are being gained, the Breda University of Applied Sciences also develops a scientific network of cycling related researchers together with a network of cycling engaged road authorities.
Geavanceerde hoortesten die worden ingezet om slechthorendheid te diagnosticeren en hoortoestellen af te regelen worden standaard uitgevoerd door een geoefend professional in een face-to-face consult. In de context van Covid-19 afstandsmaatregelen brengt dit voor vele slechthorenden een belangrijk gezondheidsrisico mee. Dit is in het bijzonder zo voor de kwetsbare groep van 65-plussers met slechthorendheid die vaak bijkomende aandoeningen hebben. Zij kiezen er om die reden niet zelden voor om te verzaken aan de noodzakelijke hoorzorg. De centrale doelstelling van dit project is om een objectief meetinstrument te ontwikkelen om spraakverstaan geautomatiseerd en online te toetsen. Deze testprocedure dient een valide alternatief te vormen voor face-to-face testconsults. De resultaten van deze online test dienen professionals toe te laten om het functionele horen van cliënten op afstand in kaart te brengen en zo nodig te optimaliseren dankzij een aangepaste fijnstelling van het hoortoestel. Aldus biedt het online testen voor bepaalde groepen van slechthorende cliënten een kostenefficiënte en veilige manier om communicatief zo goed mogelijk aangesloten te blijven op de maatschappij. De beide praktijkpartners zullen aan de hand van surveys eerst de belangrijkste communicatieve uitdagingen en behoeften van de doelgroep van slechthorenden in kaart brengen. De resultaten hiervan leveren de nodige input voor het gericht ontwikkelen van het testinstrumentarium en de experimentele testcondities. Om de nieuwe testprocedure te valideren zullen tot slot de spraakverstaanscores van state-of-the-art manuele on-site procedures worden vergeleken met deze van een geautomatiseerde online procedure. Verder willen we de PPS samenwerking consolideren en een belangrijke opstap maken naar breedschalig vervolgonderzoek binnen het ‘SME Instrument’ van het Horizon Europe Programma 2021-2017 met als doel een volledig aanbod van online audiologische revalidatie te bieden. Dankzij dit KIEM project kan een eerste cruciale stap worden gezet in het deblokkeren van de rechte lijn naar dit einddoel.
