“JOINT INTEGRATED POLICY FOR LOW-CARBON ECONOMY IN CROSS-BORDER REGION” Ref. No.CB006.1.11.165 ABSTRACT A low-carbon economy (LCE), low-fossil-fuel economy (LFFE), or decarbonized economy is an economy based on low carbon power sources that therefore has a minimal output of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions into the biosphere, but specifically refers to the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. No-one knows what the future holds. But based on our knowledge today, in 2017, we can make some reasonable estimates about the difference we can make if we implement the big changes set out in our policy for a low carbon economy. Miroslav IvanovPrepared by: Miro Ivanov, MSc POLICY PAPER Stole Georgiev, BSc In frame of the Project:“JOINT INTEGRATED POLICY FOR For the cross-border municipalities between Bulgaria LOW-CARBON ECONOMY IN CROSS-BORDER and Macedonia REGION”Ref. No.CB006.1.11.165 The project is co-funded by EU through the Interreg-IPA CBC Bulgaria–the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Programme December 2017 “JOINT INTEGRATED POLICY FOR LOW-CARBON ECONOMY IN CROSS-BORDER REGION” Ref. No.CB006.1.11.165 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................................3 LOW CARBON ECONOMY........................................................................................................................4 Definitions ...........................................................................................................................................4 Low carbon economy in EU policies....................................................................................................5 Ten steps for transition on low-carbon economy...............................................................................7 ABOUT THE CROSS-BOREDER REGION....................................................................................................9 Geographical location .........................................................................................................................9 Climate Characteristics......................................................................................................................14 Administrative organization..............................................................................................................15 Economy in the Region......................................................................................................................16 Infrastructure (buildings, transport, energetic sector in general) ....................................................19 Demographical data ..........................................................................................................................20 OUR VISION FOR THE CROSS-BOREDER REGION ..................................................................................26 SECTOR: ENERGY...................................................................................................................................28 1.1. Electricity consumption ........................................................................................................29 1.2. Heating/cooling of buildings.................................................................................................31 1.3. Transport / mobility..............................................................................................................33 Sector: AGRICULTRE..............................................................................................................................34 Sector: WASTE.......................................................................................................................................35 Sector: NATURAL CAPITAL ....................................................................................................................34 SOCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY......................................................................................................................37 MONITORING and EVALUATION...........................................................................................................38 The project is co-funded by EU through the Interreg-IPA CBC Bulgaria–the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Programme “JOINT INTEGRATED POLICY FOR LOW-CARBON ECONOMY IN CROSS-BORDER REGION” Ref. No.CB006.1.11.165 INTRODUCTION About the project The main objective of project “Joint Integrated Policy for Low-Carbon Economy in Cross-Border Region” is to contribute directly to the transition of the Cross-Border Region’s Economy from Carbon-intensive to Low-carbon basis as a part EU effort to transition the Europe’s economy. To achieve this objective, the projects partners will implement a direct cross-border joint protection and monitoring of natural resources in 9 border municipalities, as well as creating prerequisite for Low-carbon Economy and Sustainable Development in this area. Joint analysis of carbon emissions in the region will show the real state of the Carbon Footprint (CO2 emissions) and Greenhouse Gases (GHG), also giving ideas about necessity for their reduction. All of these activities aim to craft a Joint Policy for Low-carbon Economy, which could contribute by acting as guidance for the regional authorities and other stakeholders, towards transition to Sustainable Cross-Border Development. To achieve this, a joint research activities, inventories, information and know how exchange will be implemented. Joint network will be established with participation of all stakeholders from both sides of the border, representing Public, Private and Civil Sectors. Additionally a system for coordination, information and experience exchange between the project municipalities will be jointly developed and joint workshops will be held on in Cross-Border Area. This way the project will contribute to establishment of direct contacts between the local actors in both border regions. In frame of this project following Municipalities are beneficiary from this project: The project is co-funded by EU through the Interreg-IPA CBC Bulgaria–the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Programme “JOINT INTEGRATED POLICY FOR LOW-CARBON ECONOMY IN CROSS-BORDER REGION” Ref. No.CB006.1.11.165 Bulgaria: Macedonia: Blagoevgrad Berovo Simitli Delcevo Kresna Pehcevo Strumiani Vinica Sandanski LOW CARBON ECONOMY DEFINITIONS A low-carbon economy (LCE), low-fossil-fuel economy (LFFE), or decarbonized economy is an economy based on low carbon power sources that therefore has a minimal output of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions into the biosphere, but specifically refers to the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. GHG emissions due to anthropogenic (human) activity are the dominant cause of observed global warming (climate change) since the mid-20th century. Continued emission of greenhouse gases will cause further warming and long-lasting changes around the world, increasing the likelihood of severe, pervasive and irreversible impacts for people and ecosystems. Globally implemented low-carbon economies are therefore proposed by those having drawn this conclusion, as a means to avoid catastrophic climate change, and as a precursor to the more advanced, zero-carbon economy. Concepts such as green economy, green growth and low carbon economy became increasingly popular within the international discourse of institutions such as the OECD, UN and EU in connection to the financial crisis in 2008 as potential ways out of the economic crisis (Olsen 2012; Allen & Clouth2012). Each of the concepts has been used in a variety of ways covering a range of concerns such as green innovation or climate change mitigation (Huberty et al. 2011; Allen & Clouth 2012). The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) defines green economy as an economy “that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities”. UNEP’s definition is considered as the most widely used definition of green economy emphasizing the importance of “getting the economy right” as a precondition for achieving sustainability (EEA 2011; UNEP 2011). As one of the most active pioneering bodies in developing approaches to green growth, the OECD has defined the concept as “fostering economic growth and development while ensuring that natural assets continue to provide the resources and environmental services on which our well- being relies. To do this, it must catalyze investment and innovation which will underpin sustained growth and give rise to new economic opportunities” (OECD 2011). The project is co-funded by EU through the Interreg-IPA CBC Bulgaria–the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Programme “JOINT INTEGRATED POLICY FOR LOW-CARBON ECONOMY IN CROSS-BORDER REGION” Ref. No.CB006.1.11.165 The European Environment Agency (EEA) states that even though the concept of green economy is still debated, several institutions share a common understanding of it as an economy “in which policies and innovations enable society to generate more of value each year, while maintaining the natural systems” (EEA 2011). The concepts of green growth and green economy do not replace the concept of sustainable development. Instead they complement the concept of sustainability by emphasizing the importance of the economy, and especially of innovations, for achieving sustainability (Olsen 2012). When it comes to the concept of the low carbon economy, the focus is specifically on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The concept of the resource-efficient