EU local and regional authorities contributing to the Mid-term review of Europe 2020
Assessment of the Resource Efficient Europe flagship initiative
Three years after its launch, the Committee of the Regions will take stock of the Resource Efficient Europe flagship initiative at a conference to be held on 2-3 September 2013 in Vilnius. This
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conference will be the sixth in a series of 7 CoR events and monitoring initiatives on the mid-term review of Europe 2020 in 2014. More news on this conference may be found on the CoR's website1.
By participating in this survey, you will:
- ensure that your views are taken into account in the debate held during the conference; - contribute to the 4th CoR Monitoring Report on Europe 2020, to be published in October 2013; - contribute to the CoR's consultative activity in this area over the coming months; - contribute to the mid-term review of Europe 2020 in 2014.
IF YOU WISH TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS SURVEY, PLEASE COMPLETE THIS QUESTIONNAIRE IN ANY EU LANGUAGE, USING THE SPACES PROVIDED, AND RETURN IT IN TEXT FORMAT TO: [email protected] by 28 June 2013
For more information on this survey and for details of how to join the Europe 2020 Monitoring Platform, go to: http://portal.cor.europa.eu/europe2020/
The questionnaire is available on this website in all official languages of the EU
You can find more information on Resource Efficient Europe, as seen from the local and regional authorities' viewpoint, in the Committee of the Regions' publication Delivering on the Europe 2020 Strategy Handbook for Local and Regional Authorities2. General information on Europe 2020 may be found on the strategy's official website3.
1 http://cor.europa.eu/en/activities/europe2020/Pages/resource-efficient-europe.aspx . 2 The Handbook can be downloaded from: http://portal.cor.europa.eu/europe2020/SiteCollectionDocuments/Europe%202020%20Handbook%20for%20Local%20and %20Regional%20Authorities.pdf . An e-book version is also available at: http://bookshop.europa.eu/en/delivering-on-the-europe-2020-strategy-pbQG3112732/ . 3 http://ec.europa.eu/europe2020/europe-2020-in-a-nutshell/flagship-initiatives/index_en.htm.
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Contributor information4
Name of sender: Kyriakos Chatzittofis Stavraetou tou Machaira 42, Contact details: 4104 Ágios Athanásios, Cyprus (address, telephone, email) Tel. 25 864111 e-mail: [email protected] On behalf of: Municipality of Ágios Athanásios, (name of local or regional authority) City/Town/Municipality Region County/Province Association of local and/or Type of organisation regional authorities Other (please specify) Country: Cyprus
Member of the EUROPE 2020 Yes No Monitoring Platform:
Covenant of Mayors signatory: Yes No
Covenant of Mayors Territorial Yes No Coordinator
Policy challenges and responses at regional and local level
4 Privacy Statement: The follow-up to your contribution requires that your personal data (name, contact details, etc.) be processed in a file. All the answers to the questions are voluntary. Your replies will be kept for a period of 5 years after the receipt of your questionnaire. Should you require any further information or wish to exercise your rights under Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 (e.g. to access, rectify or delete your data), please contact the data controller at [email protected]. If necessary, you may also contact the CoR Data Protection Officer ([email protected]). You have the right of recourse to the European Data Protection Supervisor at any time (www.edps.europa.eu). Please note that the questionnaire with your contribution and your contact details will be published online. Your questionnaire may be transmitted to CoR rapporteurs and other EU institutions for information. Should you not agree to this, please inform us accordingly.
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BOX 1 – Resource Efficient Europe: basic information Resource efficiency means using the Earth's limited resources — metals, minerals, fuels, water, land, timber, fertile soil, clean air and biodiversity — in a sustainable manner. Increasing resource efficiency can secure growth and jobs by stimulating technological innovation, boosting employment in the fast developing 'green technology' sector and opening up new export markets. It can also benefit consumers through more sustainable products. The Resource Efficient Europe Flagship Initiative was adopted in 2010, as an integral part of the Europe 2020 strategy under the sustainable growth pillar, to "help decouple economic growth from the use of resources, support the shift towards a low carbon economy, increase the use of renewable energy sources, modernise our transport sector and promote energy efficiency" 5. It sets out a framework to help ensure that long-term strategies in areas such as climate change, energy, transport, industry, raw materials, agriculture, fisheries, biodiversity, water and waste management, land use and regional development all deliver results in the area of resource efficiency6 in order to:
- boost economic performance while reducing resource use; - identify and create new opportunities for economic growth and greater innovation and boost the EU's competitiveness; - ensure the security of supply of essential resources; - fight against climate change and limit the environmental impact of resource use. The Flagship Initiative was outlined in four long-term roadmaps with a 2050 horizon, respectively on climate7, energy8, transport9 and resource-efficiency10, issued in 2011, and a number of other policy initiatives with a 2020 perspective11, covering the following aspects:
Promoting sustainable consumption and production by setting “appropriate” price signals, providing consumers with relevant environmental information, establishing minimum environmental performance standards and putting in place incentives to reward efficient businesses; Turning waste into resources through more targeted recycling and re-use, separate collection and energy recovery, with landfilling to be virtually eliminated;
5 COM(2010) 2020 final "EUROPE 2020 A strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth". http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2010:2020:FIN:EN:PDF . 6 COM(2011) 21 "A resource-efficient Europe – Flagship initiative under the Europe 2020 Strategy". http://ec.europa.eu/resource-efficient-europe/pdf/resource_efficient_europe_en.pdf . 7 COM(2011) 112 final "A Roadmap for moving to a competitive low carbon economy in 2050". http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2011:0112:FIN:EN:PDF . 8 COM(2011) 885 final "Energy Roadmap 2050" http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2011:0885:FIN:EN:PDF . 9 COM(2011) 144 final "WHITE PAPER Roadmap to a Single European Transport Area – Towards a competitive and resource efficient transport system". http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2011:0144:FIN:en:PDF . 10 COM(2011) 571 final "Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe". http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2011:0571:FIN:EN:PDF . 11 http://ec.europa.eu/resource-efficient-europe/.
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Supporting more research and innovation focusing on resource efficiency goals; Phasing out environmentally harmful subsidies, getting prices right and shifting from taxation of labour to environmental taxation; Better valuation of natural capital and ecosystem services by public authorities and businesses; Halting the loss of biodiversity and the degradation of ecosystem services; Promoting better management of water resources; Improving air quality standards; Better management of land-use, soils and marine waters. The Committee of the Regions adopted its opinion on "A resource-efficient Europe – flagship initiative under the Europe 2020 Strategy"12 in October 2011. A European Resource Efficiency Platform (EREP)13 has been set by the European Commission in order to provide high-level guidance to the European Commission, Member States, local and regional authorities, and private actors on the transition process towards a more resource-efficient economy. In December 2012, the EREP issued its "Manifesto for A Resource-Efficient Europe" 14, identifying the following actions: 1. Encouraging innovation and accelerating public and private investment in resource-efficient technologies, systems and skills, as well as SMEs; 2. Implementing, applying and adopting smart regulation, standards and codes of conduct that a) create a level playing-field, b) reward front-runners and c) accelerate the transition, and d) take into account the social and international implications of our actions. 3. Abolishing environmentally harmful subsidies and shifting the tax burden away from jobs to encourage resource-efficiency; 4. Creating better market conditions for products and services that have lower impacts across their life-cycles, and that are durable, repairable and recyclable, inspiring sustainable life-styles by informing and incentivising consumers;
5. Integrating wider policy areas, such as in the fields of transport, food, water and construction. 6. Adopting policy goals to achieve a resource-efficient economy and society by 2020, setting targets that give a clear direction and indicators to measure progress relating to the use of land, materials, water and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as biodiversity.
1) What are the main challenges currently facing your region/city in terms of (i) the more
12 CdR 140/2011 fin "A Resource-efficient Europe – flagship initiative under the Europe 2020 Strategy" http://toad.cor.europa.eu/corwipdetail.aspx?folderpath=ENVE-V/011&id=20970 . 13 The EREP is a high-level group of personalities drawn from the European Commission, the European Parliament, national and regional governments, relevant international organizations, business/industry, civil society (inter alia consumers, trade unions and NGOs) and other opinion leaders, e.g. from academia. For further information: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/resource_efficiency/re_platform/ . 14 http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-12-989_en.htm#PR_metaPressRelease .
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efficien²t use of resources, (ii) the shift towards a low carbon economy, (iii) energy efficiency and use of renewable energy sources, (iv) the modernisation of the transport sector, (v) the change in producers' and consumers' behaviour (see Box 1)? Multiple answers possible. more efficient use of resources shift towards a low carbon economy energy efficiency and use of renewable energy sources modernisation of the transport sector change in producers' and consumers' behaviour Please explain. We consider energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources (RES) to be one of the most important issues we face and is also the reason why we wanted not only to contribute to this European initiative, but also to sign up to the Covenant of Mayors and the Pact of Islands, as this is an area in which we, as a local authority, can be closely involved.
2) Which of the aims of the Resource Efficient Europe flagship initiative (listed in Box 1) are most relevant in view of the challenges currently facing your city/region? Multiple answers possible.
Boost economic performance while reducing resource use Identify and create new opportunities at local level for economic growth and greater innovation and boost the EU's competitiveness Ensure the security of supply of essential resources Fight against climate change and limit the environmental impacts of resource use
Please explain.
(2) The EU is currently facing a major economic recession. Southern countries are already affected by the economic crisis and the lack of jobs. Any economic recovery should definitely include innovation, and consequently savings in resources and energy, as well as a new economic development model.
(4) Climate change is also a 20:20:20 target and is inextricably linked with the many activities detailed in the flagship initiative and on which we must remain focussed. These include reducing carbon emissions, with all that this implies - sustainable and rational resource management, the use of renewable energy sources, etc.
3) The CoR opinion15 on Resource Efficient Europe focuses on i) low-carbon, resource-efficient transport and energy systems; ii) sustainable consumption and production; iii) zero-waste
15 CdR 140/2011 fin "A Resource-efficient Europe – flagship initiative under the Europe 2020 Strategy". http://toad.cor.europa.eu/corwipdetail.aspx?folderpath=ENVE-V/011&id=20970 .
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economy; iv) efficient use of raw materials (minerals, forests and biomass); v) biodiversity, ecosystem services and land use. Has your city/region adopted policies in the following fields of resource efficiency? Which actions has it applied (innovation/investments, regulations, modifying subsidies, others as identified by EREP in box 1)? Multiple answers possible. low-carbon, resource-efficient transport low-carbon, resource efficient energy systems sustainable consumption and production zero-waste economy efficient use of raw materials (minerals, forests and biomass) biodiversity, ecosystem services and land use Please explain. 2. This is one of the issues we have incorporated into our practices us as a local authority, not only using these systems ourselves, but also encouraging our communities to build and live in the most energy-efficient housing. As a municipality, we have also played a leading role in renovating housing, providing up-to-date electrical systems.
Cyprus is known for its constant sunshine, and we consequently support projects for installing self- standing photovoltaic systems and have played a leading role in the initiative carried out in conjunction with the Cyprus Energy Agency on the use of energy-saving LED lights for street lighting, which will achieve major savings in energy consumption and as a result, lower carbon dioxide emissions.
4. Where savings in waste are concerned, our municipality is carrying out specific action to raise public awareness of waste management issues, with the aim of only throwing away what cannot be recycled. We have achieved significant waste reduction results from our initiative to recycle packaging (plastics, metals and drink cartons) and from composting organic waste.
4) The Resource Efficient Europe flagship initiative recognises and promotes the interdependency of environmental, economic and social policies. Have the policies adopted by your city/region (as stated in your answer to question 3), been interlinked as part of an integrated framework? If yes, please describe in brief, highlighting their mutual interlinks and potential synergies.
For energy savings-related issues, we base our work on that of the Covenant of Mayors and the Pact of Islands. The aims of these agreements, I think are well known, and our coordinating body is the
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Cyprus Energy Agency.
As for recycling, our working partner is the Green Dot company (Cyprus), but our work is guided by the action plan which has been developed as part of the commitment we gave on joining the Covenant of Mayors.
5) The Resource Efficient Europe Flagship Initiative contributes to the process of reaching the headline targets set under the sustainable growth pillar of the Europe 2020 Strategy for energy and climate change: Greenhouse gas emissions 20% lower than 1990 (or even 30% if the conditions are right) 20% of energy from renewables 20% increase in energy efficiency To what extent are these targets feasible based on your local situation?
20% GHG Highly feasible Fairly feasible Not feasible 20% RES Highly feasible Fairly feasible Not feasible 20% EE Highly feasible Fairly feasible Not feasible Please explain. We believe these targets to be feasible, to the degree indicated above for each one.
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6) The Covenant of Mayors16. – currently counting over 4,500 signatories - is a voluntary commitment by local and regional authorities to meet and exceed the EU 20% CO2 reduction objective through increased energy efficiency and the development of renewable energy sources. Beyond energy and climate change, regions and cities have an important role to play in fostering resource efficiency. They can invest in green buildings, sustainable water and waste management, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by promoting cleaner modes of transport and oversee the protection of ecosystems. Do you consider this type of dissemination and networking platform to be a useful initiative? If yes, would your city/region be in favour of expanding the approach of the Covenant of Mayors framework to other key areas of the Resource Efficient Europe flagship initiative, such as biodiversity and land use, waste and water management or air pollution, provided that relevant EU targets are identified?
Biodiversity and land use Waste management Water management Air pollution Others Please explain. We would also mention the following areas:
1. Development and Regional Planning 2. Public buildings and facilities 3. Supplies and services (waste, energy, water) 4. Transport 5. Internal organisation 6. Communication and cooperation
All of these areas are actions linked to the flagship initiative and I believe that relevant targets could be set once the EU has issued guidelines for them.
16 http://www.covenantofmayors.eu/index_en.html.
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7) The Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe (see Box 1) sets out the following milestones to be reached by 2020 for the three key sectors which are responsible for 70-80% of all environmental impact:
Food - 20% reduction in the food chain’s resource inputs, Buildings – all new buildings to be nearly practically zero-energy and highly material efficient; 2% renovation rate per year for existing building stock; 70% of non-hazardous construction and demolition waste to be recycled. Mobility - an average 1% annual reduction in transport GHG emissions starting from 2012. To what extent are these milestones appropriate to your local situation?
Food Highly appropriate Fairly appropriate Not appropriate Buildings Highly appropriate Fairly appropriate Not appropriate Mobility Highly appropriate Fairly appropriate Not appropriate Please explain. 1. For food: "Highly appropriate", also in terms of efficient use of resources, waste reduction and a high standard of health. 2. For buildings: "Highly appropriate", given the high energy consumption for air conditioning, especially due to the high temperatures. 3. For mobility: "Fairly appropriate", because I believe that many things have been accomplished in this regard – and that it is possible to do more.
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How is the Resource Efficient Europe relevant to your city or region?
8) Which of the policies of the Roadmap to Resource Efficient Europe (presented in Box 1) are most relevant to your specific local/regional situation?. Multiple answers possible. Promoting sustainable consumption and production Turning waste into resources Supporting more research and innovation in the area of resource efficiency Phasing out environmentally harmful subsidies, getting prices right Better valuation of natural capital and ecosystem services Halting the loss of biodiversity and the degradation of ecosystem services Promoting better management of water resources Improving air quality standards Better management of land-use, soils and marine waters Please explain. Apart from the spheres of action we have mentioned in previous answers, we believe that promoting better water resource management is one of the areas in which we have made most progress in recent years, raising the coverage rate of wastewater and rainwater processing systems to 70%, as here in Cyprus, recurrent droughts make any water reserves precious – and this was one of the issues discussed at the seminar that the Committee organised in Limassol, which was a great success.
9) Which of the actions under the European Resource Efficiency flagship initiative, as identified in the EREP's manifesto (set out in Box 1), are the most difficult to achieve in your city/region? Multiple answers possible. Innovation and investment Regulation Subsidies Products and services Policy integration Targets for policy goals
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Please explain. Due to the unstable economic situation in our country, issues of subsidies at the local and national level have unfortunately become very complicated.
10) Overall, what are the strong and weak points of the Resource Efficient Europe Flagship Initiative, as seen from your regional/local standpoint?
As a strong point, I would highlight: (a) " Supporting more research and innovation focusing on resource efficiency goals" and as a weak point: (b) " Better valuation of natural capital and ecosystem services."
11) Would you recommend any specific changes to the Resource Efficient Europe Flagship Initiative, in the context of the mid-term review of the Europe 2020 strategy in 2014?
I would not recommend any changes for the moment, but at a later stage it would be worth considering expanding the initiative, for example with the elements I mentioned in my answer to question 6.
Are your country's policies relevant to your city or region?
12) Does your country's 2013 (current) National Reform Programme17 (NRP) for Europe 2020 adequately respond to your regional/local needs in the policy areas covered by the Resource Efficient Europe flagship initiative (e.g. environmental taxation, phasing-out environmentally harmful subsidies, pricing mechanisms)? Yes No Don’t know Please explain ......
13) Would you suggest any changes in your country's National Reform Programme for 2014 in the area of resource efficiency? Yes No Don’t know Please explain For issues concerning the better use of renewable energy sources.
17 All available here: http://ec.europa.eu/europe2020/making-it-happen/country-specific-recommendations/index_en.htm.
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Policy and funding issues
14) What sources of funding are used to finance your actions under the Resource Efficient Europe flagship initiative? In particular: what is the role of the EU Structural Funds and programmes (e.g. ELENA, LIFE, Intelligent Energy-Europe Programme, JESSICA) in funding actions related to Resource Efficient Europe? Are any other policy/financial instruments involved? Multiple answers possible.
Structural Funds ERDF Cohesion Fund ESF
Other EU funding programmes ELENA LIFE Intelligent Energy-Europe Programme JESSICA Others: Energy Efficiency in Low-Income Housing in the Mediterranean (ELIH-Med), Mapping Environmental DEbates on Adaptation (MEDEA), the European Energy Efficiency Fund (EEEF) and the Pact of Islands Public Private Partnership
Please explain. The Cohesion Fund has provided resources to improve transport conditions and the transport network. The European Union programmes referred to above have enabled us to fund the actions that we launched under the Covenant of Mayors and the Pact of Islands.
15) Are any of the actions you have undertaken to implement the Resource Efficient Europe flagship initiative (as stated in your answer to question 6) carried out in partnership with different tiers of government? If yes, please state (a) which administrative levels are involved and (b) which practical arrangements are taken to manage these actions jointly.
In partnership with semi-State bodies.
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16) Do you consider that the existing EU policy framework has established sufficient links with local level in order to achieve the targets of the Resource Efficient Europe flagship initiative? Do you have any suggestions in this respect?
We believe these links to be sufficient, although further decentralisation could be considered. Of course, this is also, to some extent, a national problem.
17) The policy goals under Resource Efficient Europe require an integrated, multi-sectorial approach, however they are often more effective if relevant stakeholders are also involved. Do you have a strategy for involving these various actors, such as the different institutions, economic operators (especially SMEs) and citizens? If yes, what kind of involvement have you pursued (e.g. information campaigns, dedicated events, assistance to citizens on resource efficiency investments, PPPs)?
Please explain. We are carrying out information campaigns, holding specific meetings, issuing publications and organising meetings and ad hoc events with schools at all levels.
18) Please add any further comments you wish to make on the issues covered in this questionnaire......
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SHARE YOUR GOOD PRACTICE
As part of the preparations for the CoR conference to be held on 2-3 September 2013 and to showcase good practices in areas covered by the Resource Efficient Europe flagship initiative (e.g. energy efficiency, renewable sources, buildings, transport and mobility, air quality, water and waste management, spatial planning and land use, biodiversity, agriculture), you are invited to submit examples of good practice from your local area.
Please complete the form available on our website: http://portal.cor.europa.eu/europe2020/MonitoringFlagships/Pages/Welcome.aspx
JOIN THE EUROPE 2020 MONITORING PLATFORM
To help convey the voice of EU cities and regions in the implementation of Europe 2020 at EU level and in your country, join us. For more information, visit: http://portal.cor.europa.eu/europe2020/Knowledge/Pages/BecomeaMember.aspx
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION!
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