Decarbonization of heating and cooling systems in Europe — Support-DHC consortium meeting in Milan
On October 8-9 in Milan, Politecnico di Milano held the second meeting to summarize the progress of the Support DHC project. Project partners summarized the achievements of the first year of operation, including activities that support both transformation leaders and those district heating systems, which are in the early stages of development. They also discussed plans for initiatives that build competencies and enable knowledge sharing among stakeholders and DHC system operators, which play a key role in accelerating the decarbonization of heating and cooling systems.
Working together for a just energy transition.– 4th EPAH International Conference
On October 15-16, the fourth international Energy Poverty Advisory Hub (EPAH) Conference was held in Barcelona. The overarching theme was "Changing Direction: Building a Pathway to Mitigating Energy Poverty." The conference brought together 248 in-person participants and 208 online attendees from across Europe. These participants represented local governments, EU institutions, civil society organizations, and various stakeholder groups committed to a just transition in the energy sector. Representatives from three Polish municipalities: Bydgoszcz, Niepołomice and Zamość, that benefited from the Technical Assistance Program also attended. They were accompanied by representatives from the City of Warsaw, which hosted the previous conference in 2023. This year's EPAH stakeholder meeting was organized by DG ENER in collaboration with the Provincial Deputation of Barcelona (Diputació de Barcelona), the City of Barcelona, the European Committee of the Regions, and the European Economic and Social Committee, with the support from the Ecoserveis association. The event focused on policies and strategies for mitigating energy poverty, with a particular emphasis on the practical experiences of cities that face this challenge daily.
Workshop for representatives of municipalities in Siemiatycze in the framework of the Ready4NetZero and OwnYourSECAP project
The next national workshop organised as part of the Ready4NetZero project took place on 1-2 October 2024 in Siemiatycze. The event was attended by representatives from the city offices of Siemiatycze, Cieszyn, and Piastów, as well as representatives from the Municipal Sports and Recreation Centre and the Municipal Company in Siemiatycze.
‘Energy management in the city. Good practices’ from the DUET project
We would like to invite you to read the latest publication prepared within the framework of the project ‘DUET: Driving Urban Energy Together’. The presented good practices are the result of the exchange of experiences during study visits that took place, among others, in Hamburg, Dresden and Bydgoszcz.
In an era of increasing climate change and the growing need for sustainability, effective urban energy management is becoming a priority for local governments, businesses and public institutions. The guidebook 'Energy Management in the City: Best Practices' is not only a collection of information about interesting investments, but above all a source of inspiration that shows how to implement modern energy efficiency solutions.
New tool for municipalities is being developed: the CommitClimate Simulator!
Municipalities and cities play a key role in the decarbonisation of energy systems. It is at the local level that strategies and projects are implemented, having a real impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, an effective energy transition requires appropriate tools and knowledge to support the monitoring and planning CO2 reduction activities. In response to these needs, the CommitClimate Simulator is being developed – a tool designed to assist municipalities in achieving their climate goals.
Become an Ambassador for the European Climate Pact - Recruitment is ongoing!
Our Association, in its role as national coordinator of the European Climate Pact together with the Secretariat in Brussels, invites you to join the ranks of Pact Ambassadors during this year's recruitment! This is a unique opportunity to get actively involved in climate action, while inspiring others to take climate-friendly initiatives. If you care about the future of our planet and want to influence local communities by promoting sustainable solutions, we invite you to apply here.
Local Expert Group of the DAPHNE project launches in Ełk
DAPHNE project partners from nine European countries have joined forces in an effort to decarbonise the health sector, which is responsible for as much as 4.4% of global CO2 emissions. To address this challenge, it is necessary to increase the capacity of regional and local authorities to develop and effectively implement strategies that include emission reductions in this sector as well.
The first step in this direction has just been taken: in Ełk, on 10 September this year, members of the newly established Local Expert Group met at the Science and Technology Park premises, thus starting cooperation to support the development of a Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP) for the city of Ełk.
Niepołomice on their way to combat energy poverty by empowering energy cooperatives
Niepołomice is a town that has set a goal to combat energy poverty. In 2023, thanks to tools provided by EPAH, the municipality received technical support and launched a program titled "Energy cooperatives as a response to the problem of energy poverty in Niepołomice." In recent months, not only representatives of the City and Municipal Office have been involved in the implementation of activities, but also the Lepsze Niepołomice Foundation and the Kraków Metropolis Association, with the Association of Municipalities Polish Network "Energie Cités" acting as an expert.
Conclusions from the European CaPABle project
To improve the efficiency of buildings, it is necessary to provide more training for public sector employees.
For three years, the CaPABle project consortium worked across four European countries (Greece, Poland, Slovenia, and Italy) to strengthen the capacity of public administration employees in the face of challenges related to the renovation of public buildings, all in the name of sustainable development, both environmental and economic.
Schools on the road to climate neutrality - Visions 2045
Schools have a special role to play in addressing and adapting to climate change as energy consumers and significant emitters of CO2. Schools in Zamość and Minsk Mazowiecki outlined their roadmaps to climate neutrality in a vision workshop during last school year, and today they are implementing selected measures to reduce their carbon footprint! It is important that they are not left to their own devices in these ambitious endeavours, as the transformation towards a climate-neutral future is not possible without the broad involvement of stakeholders - from individuals to companies to the national and global level.
