MICAT – Multiple Impacts Calculation Tool – is a project that 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 MICATool will enable holistic analyses of MI-EE at the European, national and local level to strengthen the climate strategy of the Energy Union and accelerate an affordable and just, sustainable energy transition by addressing the challenges and needs of important target groups: policy makers, practitioners and evaluators. 

The MICATool would 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 (e.g. 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 project “MICAT –Multiple Impacts Calculation Tool” is coordinated by Fraunhofer ISI (DE) and implemented together with the European partners IEECP (NL), Wuppertal Institute (DE), WiseEuropa (PL), E3 Modelling (GR), IIASA (AT) and ICLEI Europe (DE).

There is still significant potential to improve energy efficiency in all sectors and on different levels where measures can be applied (local, national, EU). Facing the often cited “energy efficiency gap”, even the profitable potential is not fully exploited. Highlighting the additional value of energy efficiency measures and investments, considering the Multiple Impacts could help close this gap and facilitate better energy-relevant decisions and policy-making.

MICAT’s methodological approach builds on existing concepts for quantifying energy efficiency impacts and the role of the Multiple Impacts of EE in this context. Previous research has revealed that a wide range of impacts occur in tandem with an increase in energy efficiency when energy efficiency measures are implemented. They can be categorised into three main categories: social (health benefits or poverty alleviation), environmental (energy savings and reduced GHG emissions) and economic impacts (positive macro-economic impacts on economic growth, employment, innovation and competitiveness). The assessment of Multiple Impacts of EE measures within MICAT will also follow these categories.