Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - C-Track 50 (Putting regions on track for carbon neutrality by 2050)

Teaser

In the 2050 EU Energy Strategy, the EU has set a long-term goal for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 80-95% when compared to 1990 levels. Specific targets for reducing GHG emissions by 20% and 40% in 2020 and 2030 respectively have also been set. Recognising the...

Summary

In the 2050 EU Energy Strategy, the EU has set a long-term goal for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 80-95% when compared to 1990 levels. Specific targets for reducing GHG emissions by 20% and 40% in 2020 and 2030 respectively have also been set. Recognising the vital role that regional and local authorities have in meeting EU energy targets, the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (CoM) initiative has been launched. Inspired by the work undertaken at a local/regional level within the framework of the CoM and the EU long-term vision, C-Track 50 envisages to contribute to the 2050 EU Energy Strategy by mobilizing loca/regional actors. Considering the adverse impacts of climate change on cities, working with local authorities to effectively tackle these challenges demonstrates the project’s importance for society. The overall objectives are to mobilize and guide public authorities in defining long-term energy policy priorities, promote multi-level governance and support regional and local authorities in developing, financing and implementing ambitious integrated sustainable energy and climate policy action plans in order to achieve climate resilience and carbon neutrality by 2050.

Work performed

The project started 18 months ago and there is already significant progress realised. Below, an overview of the main results achieved is provided per Work Package:
WP 1: Capacity building on sustainable energy planning
This activity focuses on strengthening the partners’ know how, through workshops where they share their experiences and best practices, based on a mapping of their needs and strengths. During the course of the project, the partners are working in groups, aiming to support their peers’ needs. Consequently, partners are in the position to better support public authorities in energy, sustainable mobility and land-use planning in order to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
WP2: Formulating recommendations on national energy policy priorities for 2050 and fostering multi-level cooperation and governance
A report summarising the energy planning process at each country level while ensuring multi-level governance between the engaged authorities was been produced. Based on the review of the energy planning process at the national level, existing multi-level governance processes were assessed to identify the most effective approach at a country level that could intensify collaboration. The best applicable model in each country was explored, with an emphasis on developing recommendations on how to customise / improve this to enhance multi-level governance collaboration and facilitate energy and climate resilient planning at a national level. A series of roundtables were organized at each country level, to discuss suggested recommendations to promote multi-level governance in energy planning and ambitious low carbon objectives. These roundtables were attended by more than 350 key energy and climate stakeholders from national / regional authorities, municipalities, as well as other national institutes.
WP3: Formulating Regional/Local Energy and Climate Policy Plans for 2050 through multi-level governance
Local and regional authorities were selected in each participating country to be supported by C-Track 50, through an open call process. Roundtables for local and regional authorities were organised to strengthen the collaboration between participants and help formulate local and regional policy priorities. Regional and local priorities for 2050 were formulated and categorised per sector (public, residential, commercial, transport), including interim targets. In parallel, project partners started actively supporting selected local authorities in developing Energy and Climate Policy Plans for 2050 and regions in either formulating long-term strategies or developing new/revising existing regional integrated energy and climate plans.
WP4: Facilitating access to funding for implementing sustainable energy actions and projects
The municipalities selected following an open call process, are being supported besides the development of their long term energy and climate action plans, in securing financing for priority projects in their territories. A briefing note on the available financial instruments at the EU and national level for all project countries has been also developed.
WP5: Dissemination and exploitation of the projects results
Development of the dissemination and exploitation strategy of the project has been achieved, including synergies with other projects and initiatives. In order to replicate projects results, beneficiary organisations have been selected in each country, with which bilateral replication and exploitation meetings within the last 18 months of the project will be held.
WP6: Communication activities
The website development (http://www.c-track50.eu/) is of significant importance for the effective promotion of the C-Track 50 concept. Considering that the website is available in 10 EU languages besides English, it significantly contributes to target groups’ awareness raising, creates interest and attracts potential contributions to the whole effort. In line with the communication strategy developed,

Final results

C-Track 50 focuses on the development of long term energy and climate plans at the local and regional level, so that the supported authorities become pioneers at the EU level towards carbon neutrality. Among the different approaches adopted so as to engage these local authorities, technical support is also provided to them in order that they develop funding proposals for their priority projects.
More specifically, C-Track 50 is working with more than one hundred and five (105) municipalities and eleven (11) regions on developing/revising integrated sustainable energy policy plans that aim at carbon neutrality by 2050, with intermediate targets set for 2030 and 2040. As a result, it is envisaged that until the end of the project 116 citations/statements from an equal number of regional and local governance bodies for the policy plans and strategies (developed under C-Track 50) created/adapted to include sustainable energy issues at all governance levels will have been achieved. It is also expected that the cumulative investments made by European stakeholders in sustainable energy projects will be 160 m€. As such, it is foreseen that 5,140 GWh and 153 GWh will be saved and produced from RES respectively, every year, triggered by the project’s activities.

Website & more info

More info: http://www.c-track50.eu/.