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Towards resource efficient urban communities in SE.. (RE-SEEties)
Towards resource efficient urban communities in SEE
(RE-SEEties)
Start date: Sep 30, 2012,
End date: Sep 29, 2014
PROJECT
FINISHED
Resource efficiency is a top priority in the SEE policy-making agenda, especially in light of excessive consumption of energy due to users / inhabitants established behaviour, often uncontrolled waste production as well as lack of efficient coordination measures and awareness regarding how to use resources in a more conscious manner. The need to consider in resource management major externalities such as climate change and macroeconomic developments, e.g. the move from dependency on imported primary energy sources, is reflected in the flagship initiative Resource efficient Europe of the Europe 2020 Strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. To boost resource efficiency, city leaderships have a major role to play at local and regional levels.The project therefore places municipality actors in SEE in focus and investigates what city leaderships can do within their scope of competence and responsibilities. The project specifically tackles 2 major elements linked to resource efficiency,i.e. energy and waste, in an integrated manner. This way it sheds light on the challenges of energy consumption and waste production and disposal (e.g. current unsustainable tendencies), but also the interrelations and opportunities thereof (e.g. awareness raising among consumers to boost energy saving, waste valorisation, efficient landfill utilisation, more coordinated and efficient exploitation of RES, etc). RE-SEETies? long-term vision is to turn SEE cities into resource efficient urban communities, in compliance with the requirements of the relevant EU policies and legislation. The main objective is to improve the integrated policy-making and strategic planning competences of SEE municipalities in the field of energy efficiency (EE), RES and waste valorisation, for the purpose of changing consumption patterns and supporting changing demands with innovative policy-making solutions, tools and incentives. The project intensively builds on the existing methodologies (e.g. LCA) of the SEAP elaboration process. ERDF and IPA PPs are from 8 SEE cities (Covenant of Mayors signatories and aspirants) and regions that are directly in charge of designing and implementing strategy building, and have the necessary policy- and decision-making competences related to the project topic. By involving a large number and variety of SEE actors linked to EE, RES and waste valorisation, the consortium represents a critical mass of stakeholders interested in making a difference in terms of improving policy-making and strategic planning competences of SEE municipalities in the field of resource efficiency. Main activities and outputs: - European overview, state-of-art regarding methodologies, technologies, planning processes going parallel with resources forecasting at local level - Development and adaptation of an initial methodological framework with criteria for assessment - Each PP city determines its own focus in the strategy building process in the form of case study profiles (i.e. a combination of specific areas to focus on in the local strategy and action plan) and starts to elaborate it. During this elaboration process (peer reviews), interim results will be assessed against the initially set up criteria for assessment. This way, the criteria will serve as an evaluation grid, but also the local cases feed into the finalisation of the criteria, and eventually the integrated SEE methodological toolkit towards resource efficiency. - Synergy of EU, SEE and partner level case results during a mid-term symposium - Incorporation of the outcome of this synthesis process into finalising strategies. Based on the final toolkit, conversion of PP cases into local strategies and action plans that include concrete measures to be taken with budgetary forecasts and policy recommendations. RE-SEEties results in PP cities with improved capacity in integrated strategic planning and also improved policies related to resource efficiency at municipal level. Achievements: Main outputsIn the document center the core documents and main outputs of the RE-SEEties project can be downloaded (http://www.re-seeties.eu/document-center), i.e.:Guide for successful planning and decision makingDeveloping a Local Sustainable Energy Strategy and Action Plan is a complex task, where municipalities play the main role. However, since municipal facilities account for only a small percentage of the resource usage and related emissions, all local actors have to play an active role in reducing energy consumption. Therefore it is essential to inform and involve stakeholders in the process.SEE Methodological Toolkit - Full documentThe SEE methodological toolkit and criteria for assessment represents the core transnational output of the RE-SEEties project which aims to support municipalities in creating a sustainable and resource efficient future through coherent and appropriate planning practices, in compliance with the requirements of the relevant EU legislation.Final Newsletter of the RE-SEEties projectLocal Strategy and Action Plan of City of NitraRES feasibility study Miercurea CiucInstalling a biogas CHP plant at the wastewater treatment plant, increasing the energy efficiency of public lighting.RES feasibility study PtujProduction of refuse-derived fuel from municipal solid waste.RES feasibility study NitraWaste gasification power plant.RES feasibility study EgaleoImproving the lighting and heating system, thermal insulation and installation of a PV system in a municipal nursery school.RES feasibility study Ivanic-GradComparison between a biomass boiler and a gas condensing boiler, assessment of installing a 30kW roof solar panel system in a kindergarten.RES feasibility study Budapest 18th districtPV systems and solar collectors.Local Strategy and Action Plan of Miercurea CuicLocal Strategy and Action Plan of Municipality of PtujLocal Strategy and Action Plan of City of EgaleoLocal Strategy and Action Plan of Ivanic GradLocal Strategy and Action Plan of Budapest City 18, Pestszentlőrinc-PestszentimreLocal strategy and action plan of City of SkopjeSEE Methodological Toolkit - SummaryThe Executive Summary of the SEE Methodological Toolkit and criteria for assessment represents the core transnational output of the RE-SEEties project which aim to provide valuable strategic and adaptable guidance for all SEE municipalities regarding how to improve resource efficiency by applying smart strategic measures in urban planning.The final methodological toolkit aims to support municipalities in creating a highly efficient and sustainable resource efficient future by promoting the development of coherent and appropriate planning practices across SEE, in compliance with the requirements of the relevant EU legislation.