Page 47 - European Energy Innovation - spring 2018 publication
P. 47
Spring 2018 European Energy Innovation 47
COMMUNICATION
Supporting cities in energy
planning – capacity building of local
authorities in six European regions
Cities play a key role in fighting
against climate change.
Local authorities have the
power to influence climate
issues, however often lack the capacity
to recognise challenges, opportunities
and deliver solution. This is particularly
true for small- and medium sized
local authorities which face several
challenges when it comes to energy
planning and implementation. In their
case the coordination and support is
definitely needed.
Three years ago different authorities solution. Based on the transnational CONCLUSIONS the
– regional development agencies, exchange a capacity building Available funding influences
regions, research institutes – from 6 programme is elaborated. As the result implemented measures.
EU regions (from Italy, Spain, Romania, of a successfully implemented capacity
Croatia, Hungary and Greece) decided building program, the improved Most local authorities realize exemplary
to empower local and regional knowledge and competences of local practices in areas related to land use
authorities (policy makers and public authorities are put into practice during planning where internal structures
officers) of each region involved the adaption of new Sustainable and institutional settings (procedures)
to shape sustainable energy plans Energy Action Plans and upgrading coherently exist. This could be a
coherent with the European climate of the existing ones, while regional consequence of the fact that these
and energy policies. The initiative authorities are supported in shaping structures are related to urban planning
received funding from the HORIZON regional energy vision to 2050. as an overall concept, however in most
2020 Programme, which is the most cases these structures do not have
important financial instrument to CAPACITY BUILDING NEEDS a focus on sustainable energy. Still,
support research and innovation in the ANALYSIS among the topics to be the subject of
European Union. To find the right pathway for the most capacity building activities, “land use
suitable capacity building program, planning” scored the lowest preference
THE CONCEPT a survey was conducted in all the six (46%).
The main idea was to involve local participating regions. The involved
municipalities and regional authorities local authorities were smaller and Regarding innovative financing
in a sound transnational exchange therefore have potentially limited solutions, most respondents scored
and learning activities. The capacity capacity, although have motivation the lowest level of structural approach
building measures supposed to target to plan and influence energy – there are gaps on most aspects
organisational development and consumption. The data was collected envisaged (projects, structure,
human resources as well. from 61 local authorities using a settings, training, resources) and this is
structured questionnaire. It was also confirmed by their preference (of 81%)
The transnational exchange programme followed by personal meetings where to be trained on the topic of financial
is designed to enable policy makers targeted questions were asked from innovative solutions. l
and public officers involved to learn the participants. Although the results
from each other’s experiences and were analysed in all regions separately, More information and related materials
adapt effective responses to the similarities within the participating are available on the website:
major energy challenges with the regions could be discovered. http://www.empowering-project.eu/en/
thematic focus on integrated energy,
sustainable urban mobility, land use
planning and innovative financial
www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu
