The Energy Transition, an Anti-Crisis Solution?

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Energy strategies: the German model up for debate p.5 Energy Transition towns: home to change-makers p.6 Innovative ways of Cities sustainable energy financing p.8/9 No. 40 Spring 2012 INFO

DOSSIER The energy transition, an anti-crisis solution?

www.energy-cities.eu DOSSIER The energy transition, Energy Cities’ proposals for the an anti-crisis solution? energy transition Empowering In 2012 Energy Cities local ACTORS is putting forward What is the role of local authorities in the ener- proposals that accelerate gy transition? What new responsibilities do they the energy transition of have to take on? What new local governance European local territories. rules should they adopt to guarantee sustai- Five key areas have been nable decisions? © Shutterstock identified together with the relevant questions to ask before taking the first steps. Each proposal is backed up by a Knowing our territories’ collection of existing groundbreaking practices RESOURCE FLOWS that will be submitted to What strategy should we adopt for improving the Rio+20 Summit. the management of incoming and outgoing resource flows generated by human activities in territories: energy, water, waste, green- house gases? How can we optimise them and © Fotolia what should our priorities be?

Editorial CONTENTS “Ways out of the crisis: Local Energy Roadmaps allow the future to become the present ...... p.4

re-designing cities to re-invent Europe” DOSSIER Frederikshavn – The 100% RES community by 2015...... p.4 An inspiration for Rio Interview: Energy strategies: the German model up for debate...... p.5 Unemployment and debt are constant reminders that Europe is currently struggling. It is Transition towns: struggling to overcome its difficulties in a general context of increased nationalist isolation. home to change-makers...... p.6 Our challenge is to come up with a great project to fill Europeans with the same enthu- Let’s share!...... p.6 siasm felt during the first years of the European construction. However, there are reasons Interview: Energy & lifestyles: to be optimistic. A recent public opinion poll conducted in the UK by Green Alliance About the need and desire for change...... p.7 revealed that austerity has not made people care less about action for the environment – it has made efficiency the «new normal». Citizens want their lifestyles to be both green and Multiplying money: The leverage effect affordable. The survey makes it clear that the challenge for governments is to devise poli- of KfW promotional loans...... p.8 cies that make this possible. The will and the wallet of cohesion policy...... p.8 What we keep on calling “the crisis” is, in fact, a gigantic mutation that is upsetting our references and habits as well as the way we live, work and consume. The challenge is to Nantes (France): combining low rent re-invent a resource-efficient and low-emission future that is compatible with the develop- with low energy consumption...... p.9 ment of all countries worldwide. This future that does not yet exist is being prepared in our Czech Republic’s Green Savings scheme....p.9 cities, with amazing attempts emerging here and there. The “Low energy city with a high “Intelligent Energy Europe” quality of life for all” concept promoted by Energy Cities is our response to this challenge, within the Horizon 2020 programme...... p.9 despite -or because of- the very difficult financial situations that are currently affecting local Covenant of Mayors...... p.10 authorities’ capacities. Europe is not just about institutions. It is also us, local authorities, citizens, businesses and community organisations. We all have to invent our future, ENGAGE : Pamplona...... p.10 together! Local authorities and social media: get on board or get stranded?...... p.11 This is the inspirational message that the Energy Cities members aim at delivering to the RIO+20 Summit through 30 proposals for the energy Publications...... p.11 transition of our territories. Proposals for local jobs and economic deve- When urban planning and lopment, that will herald a sustainable and responsible 21st century! culture speak with one voice...... p.12

If you wish to receive this magazine regularly and for free, please e-mail: Eckart Würzner, Mayor of Heidelberg and President of Energy Cities www.energy-cities.eu/miriam Directors of publication: Miriam Eisermann and Gérard Magnin Contributors to this issue: Béatrice Alcaraz, Floriane Bernardot, Alix Bolle, Frédéric Boyer, Kristina Dely, Stéphane Dupas, Laura Guérin, Kinga Kovacs, Blandine Pidoux, Jean-Pierre Vallar p. 2 Translation: Nathalie Fauchadour Energy Cities | Secretariat Energy Cities | Brussels Office Graphic design: www.tuttiquanti.net 2, chemin de Palente 1, Square de Meeûs Printer: Imprimerie SIMON (Imprim’Vert) - F - 25000 Besançon B-1000 Brussels Printed on recycled paper Tel.: +33 381 65 36 80 Tel.: +32 2 504 78 60 INFO N° ISSN: 1256-6098 Fax: +33 381 50 73 51 Fax: +32 2 504 78 61 Print run: 2500 copies Energy Cities No. 40 I www.energy-cities.eu/info cash flowsforthisneweconomy? creation? Whatarethenewfinancial force behindthelocaleconomyandjob What canwedotomakeitadriving can wefinancetheenergytransition? financial, debtandcreditcrises?How What arethesolutionstopublic IN GENRAL FINANCING RethinkING

© Shutterstock edition. on thefollowingpagesofthis by EnergyCities’membercities the variousactionscarriedout at thelocallevel...asprovedby ways. Thingscanbedifferent still stickingtotheirtraditional sing strategieswhileothersare way towardssettinguppromi- countries arealreadyontheir Europe. SomeEuropean column) wehaveidentifiedin sing trendsandpractices(dark (bright column)andthepromi- key words,thechallenges systems. Thetablecontains,in current andthedesiredenergy mic macro-driversofboththe listed someofthesocio-econo- a broaderoverview, wehave to another. Inordertogiveyou ching fromoneenergysource It isfarmorethanjustswit- others arecallingforallabout? that EnergyCitiesandmany What istheenergytransition transition? up the energy down or speeding What is slowing Background

How can we invent new social practices? social new invent we can How

decision-makers and citizens to change their habits? habits? their change to citizens and decision-makers

force collective dynamics? How can we encourage encourage we can How dynamics? collective force

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tion of a common vision and the desire to jointly jointly to desire the and vision common a of tion

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w e n a ing t n e nv I Distinction between heavy technologies supply anddemand centralised supply Implementation of Jobs linkedtothe © Fotolia Priority tofossil/ fissile energy Technocratic Action onthe (vertical) and industry, etc.) nuclear, etc.) side (mining, (residential, Centralised supply side Megawatts One player: top-down Thinking the state Secrecy Sectors Rigidity energy transition Obstacles tothe “smart” technologies/ decentralised supply supply anddemand (horizontal) and renewable energy Stakeholders (housing Action onthe The state,locallevel, Transparency Flexibility, Decentralised Resilience Democratic NegaWatts, i.e. demand side market, civilsociety (insulation, etc.)/ Implementation of managers, company unused watts bottom-up Integration of Jobs linkedto (forestry, etc.) Priority to demand-side Thinking managers) systems www.energy-cities.eu/wiki/transition/EN

Answers andlocalexperiencesat Promising trends and str

URBAN PLANNING as a way of reducing energy use What type of urban planning should we develop to satisfy housing, mobility and consumption needs in an energy-efficient way? What infrastructures can increase ter ritories’ energy sufficiency? How should we change our modes of transport and the way we use public space in the future? How can we encourage short channels? (resource predation present generation The addedvalueis Foraging economy Unaccountability between Energy/ as totheimpacts Heavy industry Priority givento Object-oriented with nocapital Invulnerability extraterritorial Globalisation performance) restoration) technology specialists (feeling of) (increased Indifferent Territories (supply) Divorce Change society tegies vector: Energy economy (notapping between Energy/ The addedvalueis (empowerment) specialists” (demand, Digital (smart) decentralised supply) decentralised into non-renewable future generations System-oriented Accountability Re-location (awareness of) Change society Reconciliation vector: Priority givento Vulnerability local/territorial optimisation) citizenship for actions economy Territories (improved Sustainable

Energy “non- Active

resources) © Shutterstock ©

Energy Cities No. 40 I p.3 INFO DOSSIER The energy transition, an anti-crisis solution?

IMAGINE Local energy roadmaps allow the future to become the present

In recent months, a number of given to the local level is only Energy Cities encourages local long-term plan which goes well publications by the European timidly addressed. The decade authorities to set up their own beyond the (now short-term) Commission – mostly low-car- ahead of us is supposed to local energy roadmaps for 2050. 2020 objectives. Through an bon or energy-oriented road- place Europe on track for a low Visioning is an opportunity for opinion paper published last maps for 2050 - have been loo- energy, low carbon economy developing dialogue between year, Energy Cities called upon king ahead to the future. Most and a more democratic society local stakeholders and local the Commission to support of these documents acknow- where all levels of responsibility authorities. It is a group activity such initiatives. ledge the importance of cities are interconnected. It is time to for collectively debating the and the integration of urban use these objectives to devise future of European territories. activities in a global territorial local strategies for smart, sus- Each city could come up with www.energy-cities.eu/ dimension. However, the ques- tainable and inclusive territories. something that we may call a IMAGINE tion of how much scope is Within its IMAGINE initiative, “Covenant of Mayors 2050”

Members in the spotlight Members in the spotlight Frederikshavn – the 100% RES community by 2015

Sharing visions The cities of Bistrita (RO), Dobrich (BG), Figueres (ES), Lille (FR), Milton-Keynes (GB), Modena (IT), Munich (DE) and Odense (DK) are ready to create their own local roadmaps. Those eight cities as well as the Hafen City University of Hamburg (DE) are part of the INTERREG IVC co- funded IMAGINE project, co-ordinated by Energy Cities. This new project aims to develop and even experiment the great ideas emerging from Sienicki © 2009 by Tomasz the IMAGINE think-tank. During the next three years, the participants will By 2015, the Danish member city of Frederikshavn will have realised organise local forums and IMAGINE seminars in its vision of using 100% renewable energy for electricity, heat and order to gather local stakeholders and citizens and transport and help give birth to a 100% renewable Denmark. As a share views of the energy future of their territory. model it will develop a coherent renewable energy system in co- They will also help set up a tool for assessing a operation with local energy utility companies and Aalborg University. city’s progress towards the energy transition. Thereby, Frederikshavn, with its 26,000 inhabitants and its local businesses will help achieve the Danish energy policy targets. www.energy-cities.eu/ IMAGINElowenergycities www.energycity.dk p. 4

INFO Energy Cities No. 40 I

reduce CO sions. Thegovernment’s objectiveto developing storagetechnologies. point of view. The long-term solution lies in energy fromaneconomicandtechnical of flexibility would be difficult with nuclear bers inGermany. Butachievingsuchalevel tion capacities,whichareinsufficientnum- in givingmoreflexibilitytoexistingproduc- of supply. The short-term solution consists problem fornetworkstabilityandsecurity Fluctuating renewable energy sources are a by 2030or2040! investing instructuresthatwillbeobsolete emissions after2020anditalsomeans This willleadtodifficultiesinreducingCO at leastanother10GWwillbenecessary. and 2015,theindustryconsidersthat stations will be constructed between2010 invested incoal.11GWofnewcoal-based to abandonnuclearenergy, theindustryhas here: followingthedecisionmadein2000 not underthreat.However, Iseeaproblem It isabitmorecomplicatedforCO bing. found thefluctuationofsupplydistur even though our neighbours may have repercussions on the international scene, other countries.Therehavebeennomajor exchange balance between Germany and significant impactonelectricity rates orthe nuclear capacityremainedidlewithno I thinknot!InMay2011,75%ofour supply. Aretheyright? electricity pricesandsecurityof warning againstproblemslinkedto Those opposedtothisdecisionare could bereplicatedinEuropeandunderwhatconditions. for 2020-2030andtofindoutwhethertheGermanmodel give abetterunderstandingofGermany’s energystrategy countries. ThisinterviewwithDr. ChristianHeyaimsto has givenrisetodebatesandinterrogationsinother The Germandecisiontoabandonnuclearenergyby2022 strategies: Energy Interview the German model upfor debate © Fotolia 2 emissionsby40%2020is 2 emis- 2 - an entiresystem. in China,butnottheintelligent solutionsfor position. PVmodulescaneasilybecopied wide, thusputtingGermanyinaunique know-how wewillbeabletosellworld- in anintelligentandadjustablewayisa tions. Managingahighlycomplexsystem experiment newtechnologiesandregula- less controllablesources,innovateand solutions tocontrolthenewflexibilityof vent thesystem,comeupwithinnovative Over thenextdecade,wewillhavetorein- Agency foreseea50%shareby2020. scenarios developedbytheNetwork 20% oftheenergymix.Themostreliable been multipliedby5,thusreachingalmost sources intotalenergyproductionhas years. Since2000,theshareofrenewable tor inlessthan20 ming asystemicfac- market andbeco- moving fromaniche right trackfor above, RESisonthe But despiteallthe needed! was so urgently ture planning reform why theinfrastruc- sary by2015.Thisis dered to be neces of the900kmconsi- lopment. Only100kmhavebeenbuiltout Another challengeconcernsnetworkdeve- between 2030and2040. drop belowthoseofotherenergysources and weexpectrenewableenergycoststo These investmentswillbepaidforbyusers and peryear, whichisquiteacceptable. additional costof€100-200perhousehold to our estimates. But this represents an of eurosoverthenext20yearsaccording requires huge investments,tens of billions new installationsandinfrastructure As regardscosts,upgradingthesectorwith networks? facing intermsofcostsand What otherchallengesisGermany - position.” Germany inaunique worldwide, thusputting able towill be sell way is aknow-how we intelligent and adjustable complex system inan “Managing ahighly

tical expert advice on environmental issues. other Europeancountrieswillfollowsuit. made itsdecisionand,soonerorlater, temic innovation. Germany has already new generationofnuclearreactorsorsys- We willthenhavetochoose betweena nuclear installations currently in operation. regrets: toendtheeconomiclifeof increased fourfoldby2050,thusreaching renewable energysourceswillbe gy revivalinEuropeconsidersthat scenario which is based on a nuclear ener culations is surprising: even the nuclear achieved? Theresultoftheeconomiccal- ted decarbonisation. How can this be carbon sourcesinordertoreachthepredic- and electricitymustbeproducedfromzero- has publisheditsEnergyRoadmap2050 European level.TheCommission future isalsobecomingmorerenewableat future. Itisinterestingtoseethatthe We, inGermany, believeinarenewable convergence possible? Is aEuropean decision withnoeconomic my opinion, wemustmakea purely economicscenarios.In nuclear energyisnot,evenin is certain!Butthefutureof source forproducingelectricity renewable energyasaprimary In conclusion,thefutureof target tobetechnicallyfeasible. ders a100%renewableenergy many otherinstitutions,consi- European Commission, like higher competitiveness. The almost 60%, because of their

Dr. Hey works for the Advisory Council on the Environment (SRU) in Germany, a scientific com- mittee set up by the German government to provide inde- pendent, and sometimes, cri- -

Energy Cities No. 40 I p.5 INFO DOSSIER The energy transition, Energy Cities No. 40 I p.6 an anti-crisis solution? INFO

© NotFromUtrecht change first”.We betitwill! the workforthemselves.Soculturehasto “Transition is groundup,it’s aboutpeopledoing ways ofdoingthings.RobHopkinssays people aremuchmoreopentonewideasand benefiting fromthecurrentcontextinwhich them immunetothecrisis.However, theyare part oftheTransition Networkdoesnotmake Of course,Leicester’s andTotnes’ choiceofbeing Government todevelopanewenergycooperative! £30,000 (around€36,000)bytheBritish community hasevenbeenrecentlyawarded prints tiesfriendsandneighbourstogether. The common actionplantoreducetheircarbonfoot- tion initiativeswhichisconvincedthatlocalcom- Leicester (photo)isanotherofthe900orsotransi- well-being, initiatedbythecitizens. actions infavourofsustainabledevelopmentand planning. Itconcretelytranslatesintoamyriadof as muchaboutstorytellingandvisioning so-called EnergyDescentActionPlans.Andthisis Towns haveimplemented(orareimplementing) pare foralowenergyfuture.SomeTransition the localeconomy, improvequalityoflifeandpre- community-led initiativesinordertostrengthen and climatechange,theconceptaimstoenhance Developed inthecontextofpeakoiltheory movement. chose thecityasbirthplaceofTransition year whenRobHopkins,permacultureteacher, town ofthefuture”.Thingschangedsame become whatsomepeoplecalltoday“Britain’s town of23,000inhabitantswasnotexpectedto Totnes Town, UK-2005. This medievalmarket to change-makers Transition towns: home upon Tyne, Grenoble, Toulouse, Geneva, etc. officially partofthenetworkinclude: Newcastle loped «transitiontowns» initiatives orwhich are Some otherEnergyCitiesmembershaving deve- member ofthecurrent Board ofDirectors. Leicester joinedEnergyCitiesin1996 and isa Energy Cities’IMAGINEseminarinArc-et-Senans. In 2010,RobHopkinsparticipatedviavideoin Members inthespotlight

www.energy-cities.eu/imagine2010 www.transitionnetwork.org local foodtogether. A mers producesustainable ject, farmersandconsu- Harvest Whetstonepro- Leicester’s Community a post-carbonsociety. In ving atransitiontowards munities shouldbedri- Society the transitiontowardslowenergycitieswithahighquality oflifeforall. and neweconomicschemes,makingthisculturalchangean assetfor more efficientuse)butalsobringsanewqualitytosocialrelationships Sharing notonlyreducesenergyconsumption(lessgoods produced, u u u senting yousomeoftheemergingwaystoshare: flexibility ofaservicetothe(costly)ownershipanobject.We arepre- In anincreasingnumberofdomains,moreandpeoplepreferthe tive consequencesonurbanlife,resourceconsumptionandsocialhabits. Is propertyahas-been?Anewcultureofsharingisemergingwithposi- Let’s share! garment. exchange not-worn-anymoreclothesbygivinganewowner toanold organise ‘clothesswaps’.Theeventbringspeopletogether to European countries,thenewstylishwayofreducingconsumption isto Sharing optionsbeforereachingthe“peakstuff”:Inanumberof allows citydwellerstosharegreenspaceforvegetablesand plants. that new, butblossomingmorethanever, iscommunitygardening. It technological solutionscanbeaffordedwhencostsareshared).Not social benefits,betterworkatmospheresandconditions(e.g. spaces, forexample,allowtelecommuterstoshareanoffice,with Sharing spaceisanotherwayofoptimisingresources.Co-working of cities. alternative totheprivatecar, aresosuccessfulinagrowingnumber This isanotherreasonwhybike-sharingprogrammes,asaflexible is losingitspowerasastatussymbol,especiallyamongyoungpeople. And thegrowthofcar-sharing hasbeenregisteredworldwide.Thecar 29 ownedacarin2000,today, thenumberhasshrunktoonethird. land use.While,inGermany, morethan50%ofmenbetween18and Car-sharing hasdirectimpactsontheenvironment,transportationand © Fotolia

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Interview Energy & lifestyles: About the need and desire for change

The energy transition will need people and their desire to do things differently. We asked Julia Backhaus, a young expert in demand-side management and behaviour change from Maastricht University how she thinks society should and could tackle this challenge. Ms. Backhaus participated in Energy Cities’ IMAGINE Seminar in 2011.

Can you see any links industries – where big changes Are more sustainable and non-governmental or civil between today’s are needed to make transitions energy-efficient cities the society organisations as well (financial, climate and happen – than among the result of people’s actions as more loosely organised energy) crises and today’s “people in the streets”. A or of successful political groups, such as concerned lifestyles? more comfortable home, decisions? parents, the young and the because it is better insulated, elderly – basically anyone. Looking at many people’s life- is great! Working with neigh- Both top-down decision- Concern creates a desire for styles in Western (and bours in a community garden making and bottom-up actions change. It may be a tenacious increasingly also other) socie- is fun! If people are engaged in are needed. I believe that the process at first but I am ties, many links to “peak eve- and get support for making key actors in change pro- convinced that the desire for rything” and climate change changes in their home, neigh- cesses are those who are ‘in change can and will reach are evident: behaviour like bourhood or city, the positive between’, those that can rally more and more peoples’ eating meat every day, driving effects, like for example, more support among policy-makers minds and hearts. short distances or constantly green space, warmer social and businesses and can buying the latest in fashion contacts or better public trans- engage others in communal and electronics consume a lot port, are obvious. action. Such actors can be of energy and other resources. Links to the financial crises of the last decade are more complex but one reason why people are encouraged and sti- mulated to consume even more are our growth-based economies.

How can we promote change when change resistance is high? What examples do you use for explaining to people that the transition we are talking about will be something positive for their lives?

To be honest, I am not sure that resistance to change is so high. I have the feeling that resistance is higher amongst policy-makers, businesses and © Shutterstock DOSSIER The energy transition, Energy Cities No. 40 I p.8 an anti-crisis solution? INFO www.eumayors.eu/IMG/pdf/EN_ With itsproposalforthefuture Cohesion Member States. levels ofwell-beingenjoyedby otherEU loped countriesandregionstowards the ment andconvergenceofthe lessdeve- policy isaboutsocio-economicdevelop- tion. We wouldreiteratethattheCohesion key mechanismenablingtheenergytransi- Cohesion policy. Itshouldthereforebea 37% (376bneuros)areallocatedtothe EU’s next-seven-yearbudgetuntil2020, social andenvironmentalreasons.Inthe at locallevelforwell-knowneconomic, EU policiestosupportsustainableenergy Energy Citieshaslongbeenpreachingfor cities? towards lowenergy a step closer The and will the ofcohesion wallet policy: Cohesion funds Germany in2010. construction andrefurbishmentspentin grants orloansforenergy-efficient euros inrevenueforevery1euroofKfW German publicauthoritiescollected4to5 government andarecurrentlyaround1%. through KfWaresubsidisedthe Annual interestratesontheloansgiven support ofenergyandclimatepolicy. goes intoprogrammesdevisedexplicitlyin one thirdofthebank’s businessvolume is themottoofitsRESprogramme.Indeed, transition iswhatwearepromoting.KfW” . “Energy für Wiederaufbau) (Kreditanstalt the GermannationalinvestmentbankKfW Among themarethefinancingschemesof more waysthanone. well used,theinvestmentisbeneficialin sures. However, solutionsdoexistand,if as individualstofundenergy-efficientmea- become difficultformunicipalitiesaswell and financialausterityinEurope,ithas In thecurrentcontextofpublicdebtcrisis loans promotional ofKfW effect The leverage Multiplying money: Finances

thematic_leaflet_3_web-2.pdf financing schemes: An overviewoninspirational www.kfw.de and medium-sizedmunicipalities: of sustainableinvestmentsforsmall ELENA istheKfW-Facility infavour for sustainableurbandevelopment. intended 5%ofthetotalbudget earmarked dimension” tothecohesionpolicy, withan remains theintroductionofan “urban breakthrough laiddowninthis proposal via anad-hocplatform.Themain that theCommissionwishestostrengthen developed regions);thedialoguewithcities and transitionregions6%intheless renewables (20%inthemoredeveloped funding allocatedtoenergyefficiencyand bon economywithasubstantialshareof priority giventotheshifttowardsalowcar our prayers;atleastsomeofthem:the Policy, theEuropeanCommissionanswers investments inGermany) for 2010KfW (figures refurbishment efficiency constructionand or loansinvestedinenergy of KfWgrants 1 euro by publicauthorities revenue 4 to5eurosof collected

- reduced, CO energy consumption The environment RES usageincreased. (regional tradespeopleandconstructioncontractors). 340,000 jobssafeguardedfor1year The labourmarket (April 2012) oflifecities withahighquality for all!” rate thetransitiontowards low energy future EUcohesionpolicybudgetto accele- Position Paper: “Energy Citiescallsfor the have achanceofbeingchanged. urban projectswilltheenergyparadigm and renewableswithafocusonintegrated funds areearmarkedforenergyefficiency same direction.Onlyifadditionalavailable Let ushopethatMemberStatesgointhe BENEFITS forsociety

www.energy-cities.eu/-OPINIONS,10- for publicauthorities – – – – 2 Social cohesion Reductions inunemploymentcosts Social securitycontributions Additional taxrevenues reduced, BENEFITS worth 21.5billioneuros. loans initiatedinvestments 8.9 billioneurosofKfW The economy

Members in the spotlight INF Energy Cities No. 40 I Nantes (France): combining low rent with low energy consumption Is it just wishful thinking to imagine low-income tenants living in energy-efficient flats in the very centre of a city? The local housing programme for the improvement of residential housing (OPAH) approach in the West of France proves the feasibility of this idea. OPAH allows flat owners in the Urban Community of Nantes to refurbish their property. Priority is given to flat owners who agree to set their rent at a low-income level (around 40% of the market price) for several years. © Guillaume Piolle

Subsidies come from a funding pool uniting local and regional authorities, the general government, the National Agency for Housing (ANAH) as well as the “Caisse des Dépôts” investment group. With 8 million euros they are co-financing the refurbishment of 540 centuries-old private residential units in 120 buildings of Nantes’ city centre. This scheme, running from 2010 until 2016, tackles three crucial urban problems at a time: preserving the cultural heritage, preventing town-centre slums, reducing fuel poverty and increasing social diversity. And the winners are…the property “Intelligent Energy Europe” owners, the low-income tenants and the city itself! must be maintained within www.nantes.fr the Horizon 2020 www.nantesmetropole.fr programme! www.housingeurope.eu (CECODHAS Housing Europe) In November 2011, the European Commission made a proposal for a €6.5bn Research and Innovation budget aimed at secure, clean and efficient energy. This budget is planned for the period 2014-2020 within the framework of the new Horizon 2020 programme, to be co-ordinated by DG Innovative financing Research and Innovation. It is indeed crucial that research and inno- From emission trading to energy- vation investments be coupled with non- technological solutions involving both offer efficient housing: and demand of the type funded within the framework of the IEE Programme. Such Spotlight on the Czech Republic’s projects facilitate the implementation of the EU’s energy efficiency policy, prepare the Green Savings scheme field for investment, bolster the excellence In the Czech Republic, the Green Savings subsidy programme launched in April of different players, including local authori- 2009 is expected to reap significant social and economic benefits, including the ties and favour the acceptance of those creation of 30,000 jobs and the improvement of housing conditions for an esti- innovations by the general public. mated 250,000 households. Running until the end of 2012, the scheme Energy Cities requires: supports the upgrade of heating systems to renewable energy sources u and the implementation of energy saving measures for building refur- that a clear and separate budget hea- bishment and new constructions. The residential sector is the main tar- ding be dedicated to non-technologi- get of this scheme with beneficiaries including family households and cal solutions in the Horizon 2020 pro- non-panel multiple-dwelling houses. Typical measures covered include gramme, within the spirit and continua- switching to biomass-powered boilers, installation of efficient heat tion of the IEE programme and that it be pumps and refurbishment of buildings to passive house standards. managed by DG ENER, u that the budget allocated to these non-technological solutions reaches at The programme’s overall funding envelope amounts to a staggering 1 billion € euros, raised by the government from the sale of emission credits under the least 1bn, which would be a signifi- Kyoto Protocol. cant leap in respect of the IEE programme (appropriation of €730m for the The application process is fairly simple: citizens can apply to one of the pro- 2007-2013 period). gramme’s regional offices and / or in local branches of the nine commercial banks associated with the scheme. This rapid procedure only takes ten weeks www.energy-cities.eu/-MEDIA,449- from the submission of the application to the actual signature of the contract.

A good example of how global emissions trading can have local benefits!

Energy Cities’ collective member in Czech Republic: Healthy Cities, www.nszm.cz Members in the spotlight Pamplona makes citizens’ actions visible – thanks to Covenant ENGAGE Since 2010, the Spanish city of Pamplona has of Mayors goes East been carrying out an engagingly participative energy and climate campaign using posters as the main communication channel. Who The Covenant of Mayors is stretching east- appears on these posters? Any citizen or wards in order to set up new governance struc- stakeholder wishing to take visible action and tures in more countries. It is currently being showing how they reduce their energy implemented in 11 countries of Eastern Europe, consumption. During public events, such as Southern Caucasus and Central Asia. Cities in the famous festival of San Fermín, visitors those regions are confronted with quite dif- can go to a stand, have their picture taken ferent realities in comparison to their and pledge a commitment to save energy. EU-27 counterparts. Amongst the Thanks to an online tool, developed by Energy differences are for example: Cities, Pamplona can create personalised posters in just a few clicks. Those strolling uEconomies still recovering through the city will see committed faces dis- from the economic collapse in played in all shapes and sizes. post-soviet countries in the A huge banner with the first 250 participant 1990’s. posters was unveiled on the 1st October uDiffering economic and 2011, naturally impressing the 3,000 financial capabilities. attendees. This local campaign is one of uDiffering levels of pre- many currently being carried out within the paredness (knowledge and European ENGAGE campaign, an initiative experience) and attitudes supported by the IEE programme. All towards energy management. European local authorities searching for a par- uDiffering political settings and ticipative approach to achieve their energy public incentives. and climate objectives are welcome to join.

Some of these specificities will be addressed Everything started with 12 pioneering by the Covenant of Mayors East via adequate studies, Energy Cities members from 12 countries: awareness-training and support. Other differences may justify specific adapta- Heidelberg (DE), Ivanic-Grad (HR), Oeiras (PT), tions to the original Covenant methodological framework. Helsinki (FI), Pamplona (ES), Rennes (FR), Växjö (SE), Liège (BE), Rimini (IT), Heerlen (NL), Leicester (GB) and Bielsko-Biała (PL). www.citiesengage.eu

Governance Covenant of Mayors: Towards a grassroots culture The first blade of grass grew in 2008 with the launch of the Covenant of Mayors. Since then, over 3,700 committed local administrations have adopted far-reaching action plans, mobilised funds and adopted the Covenant of Mayors as their own. Energy Cities has been supporting this process of political ownership and representation, which was notably initiated by Brussels Nos comprometos a utilizar el Capital Region Minister Evelyne Huytebroeck. On the occasion of the 2011 transporte público en nuestros Covenant Ceremony, she called on signatories to endorse a call for action. desplazamientos por la ciudad. Íñigo y Zuberoa. - Agosto 2011 The bottom-up nature of the initiative encourages and enables signatories to reach out to the grassroots. Participation of all the actors in their territories, from professional associations to private companies, from financial institutions to NGOs and academic circles is very valuable when it comes to reaching the

20% CO2 reduction goal. Thanks to the IEE-supported project NET-COM, this process is well under way in several countries. Clubs and platforms are being set up to foster experience-sharing, networking and policy positioning at natio-

nal levels. To date, already 12 Covenant Clubs have emerged across Europe. www.pamplona.es www.networkingcovenantofmayors.eu www.eumayors.eu p. 10

INFO Energy Cities No. 40 I

transition. beneficial toaccelerateawidelysupported on theircity’s presentandfuturecanonlybe action. Activecitizensexpressingtheirdesires as athreat,butchancetoimprovepolitical Local governmentsshouldseesocialmedianot their neighbours. share inlocalinitiativesandtogetknow September 2011,itenables250,000tenantsto isagoodexample.Launchedin l’Habitat) Agency oftheCityParis(Office Public de to roof”)managedbythePublicHousing The socialnetwork“Detoitàtoit”(“Fromroof and buildcommunities. reach peoplelessfamiliarwithtraditionalmedia ry’s image,can rebrand theterrito- democracy, can enhance local public. They municipality andthe tivity betweenthe can improveinterac- generated content websites withuser- Social networksand change canhappen. ming aplacewhere media arefastbeco- transition? Social tion andlocalgovernancetotriggertheenergy Do socialmediaplayaroleincitizenparticipa- facing newpossibilitiesandchallenges. and information,localauthoritiesarenow large-scale phenomenonthatconnectspeople communication technology. Byjoiningthis difficult tostayoutofthissociety-changing big wideworldofsocialmedia.Ithasbecome upward trend:localauthoritiesareenteringthe This isnotjustatemporaryfadbutnoticeable board or get stranded? getsocial media: on Local authorities and Governance

http://parishabitatoph.fr tainable energypolicy. striking examplesofsus- spread bestpracticesand can exchangeandeasily and over900“likers”that 1,000 Facebookfriends online networkofover developed asignificant Energy Citieshasalso

com/Energy.Cities www.facebook. together. cities learnandthenconnect mechanisms whichaffecttheway below thesurfaceandtoexamine there isaneedtounderstandwhat author Tim Campbellarguesthat of continuouslearningandinnovation, cities, thatistocreatetheconditions vation. Buttoreallyachievesmart nomies andnotonlearninginno- on globaltalentandknowledgeeco- and theUS.Thepromiseisfocused cities iswidelyadvertisedinEurope economic growthinso-calledsmart The promiseofcompetitivenessand (2012) Learn andInnovate How CitiesNetwork, Beyond SmartCities: Energy Cities recommends... Publications riences. butions aswellpracticalexpe- and discussesboththeoreticalcontri- cesses invariousEuropeancountries ming conditionsforparticipationpro- new publicationexaminesthefra- actors togetherwithcivilsociety. The the jointparticipationofallrelevant tion measureslargelydependsupon The successofurbanclimateprotec- (2011) Climate-Protection Participation inUrban (ca. images/puc_english.pdf www.boell-brandenburg.de/pics/ details/9781849714266/ www.routledge.com/books/ Municipalities Answers ofEuropean in UrbanClimateProtection Participation E120) local communities. sing managers,smallbusinessesand energy end-users:households,hou- palities orothersworkingwithsmall ESCOs, energyconsultants,munici- action groups,localenergyagencies, local level.Thesecanincludeclimate energy behaviour, primarilyatthe organisations promotingchangein managers workinginintermediary This toolkitisdesignedforproject Toolkit Energy ChangeHappen MECHanisms: ake of infranational energy visions. of infranationalenergyvisions. overview oftheongoingpreparation regional scenarios.Italsogivesan and practicalaspectsoflocal highlights themethodological,political European projectENCI-LowCarb, prepared intheframeworkof vable futuretargets.Thepublication, demonstrate potentialandfixachie- scenarios areimportanttoolsthat tion processlocalandregionalenergy Within anin-depthsociety-widetransi- and opportunities(2011) methodology, challenges low-carbon scenarios: Local andregional

energychange.info/ http://mechanisms. local-scenarios-2.pdf www.rac-f.org/IMG/pdf/ENCI- and opportunities challenges methodology, Local andregionallowcarbonscenarios Local

Energy Cities No. 40 I p.11 INFO Urban art When urban planning and culture speak with one voice Cultural heritage The artivists Reconciling cultural heritage and sustainable city development is of « Art » + « Activist » = Artivist! crucial importance. It is about designing our future without denying The movement known as artivism has our past. developed over the last few years. Artivists notably protest against Several globalisation or war. With urban art members combining street arts, video, music and of Energy installations they also increasingly Cities are express their desire for a better quality of working life in cities, worldwide. © Delft Image Bank on affor- Delft dable and sustainable housing in © Wikimedia Commons In New York, young artist Joshua Allen their historical centres, e.g. Bayonne Harris catches people’s attention on Bayonne (FR), Brasov (RO) and Members in the spotlight waste: his plastic bags are taking forms Delft (NL) as participants in the of animals as they float over the Urbact-LINKS project. underground ventilation shaft. In London, ...Guimarães

artist Anna Garforth’s project greens up Brasov public space with sustainable- and legally European Capital made- moss graffiti. When urban Through another Urbact project –Historicentres- planning and culture speak with one NET, Utrecht (NL) is actively seeking to combine of Culture 2012 voice, they give birth to amazing its historical values and its goal of a carbon-neutral initiatives to collectively re-invent the town centre by 2030. Integrating renewable ener- Being both a European Capital of public space! gy technologies in historical Culture this year and one of Rio de buildings and re-thinking Janeiro’s twin cities, the transport modes are some Portuguese city of Guimarães was strategies to this ambitious the ideal place to host Energy objective. Cities Annual Rendezvous in 2012. © Pepijntje With a very weak economic growth and an unemployment rate of over 14%, the global crisis has not left Portugal unscathed. In this current context, being designated European Arts in public space Capital of Culture seems to be a As the improvement of city life involves re-appropriating public spaces, challenge and a streets, parks and buildings are ideal places for mind-boggling initiatives to real breath of come to life. fresh air at the same time. On this occasion, the municipality of Guimarães has set up a “laboratory of urban creativity”

© www.arcenreve.com to co-create and develop new futures INSITU is a poetic essay and – also stimulating the local economy. In Bordeaux (FR), the The city as a playground! interactive documentary by These creative activities are architecture centre “Arc- Urban play installations are Antoine Viviani about the urban combined with projects preparing en-Rêve” offers citizens flourishing all around the space in Europe seen through a sustainable future such as the the opportunity to imagine world. Sit on a swing very diverse artistic experiences improvement of public lighting together their city in 2050 while waiting for the bus and interventions. It is a city management or the eco-efficient by creating 1,000,000 pos- in London (GB), throw poem that you can move refurbishment of buildings. The city, ters displayed on their your rubbish in a basket- through and explore, discove- a signatory of the Covenant of streets. ball waste bin in Marseille (FR) or play piano by choo- ring practices on how to breathe Mayors, hopes to make 2012 a sing stairs instead of the life back into our cities and milestone in its history. escalator in Stockholm shared public spaces. www.energy-cities.eu/ (SE). http://insitu.arte.tv Guimaraes p. 12