Networking to Save Energy

Skopje inspires the Network of Energy Efficient Capital Cities in South East Europe

Overview

Five Southeast European capitals - Zagreb, Sarajevo, Podgorica, Skopje and Tirana - have joined hands with Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany, to jointly promote energy efficiency and climate protection. This network is fostering change and innovation by raising awareness on saving energy.

Background

Inexpensive and reliable access to energy is a deceive factor for every economy. Therefore any changes in the sector are sure to be met with hesitation. But conventional energy production and consumption are harming the world's climate and the environment. The EU Energy Strategy 2030 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals are calling for innovation and change in this regard.

In 2008/09 five capitals, Skopje, Zagreb, Sarajevo, Podgorica and Tirana launched the Network of Energy Efficient Capital Cities in South East Europe to work on energy management structures and Sustainable Energy Action Plans. These capitals joined the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, too. Signing the Covenant confirmed their obligations to achieve or even exceed the EU climate and energy targets.

Objectives

The municipalities taking part in the network are expected to accelerate the implementation of EU policies on energy sufficiency.

They accepted commitments according to Sustainable Energy Action Plans (SEAP) which were finalised and adopted by the respective city councils. Meanwhile each of the municipalities in the Network of Energy Efficient Capital Cities in South East Europe introduced energy management measures and developed new environmental protection policies based on energy efficiency.

Activities

The participating capital cities have opened Energy Efficiency Info-Centres and Info-Points to raise public awareness.

By 2020 Skopje plans to invest 428 million EUR to boost energy efficiency when refurbishing public buildings and in switching to LED-lighting in public places. The residential and transport sector, among others, will also benefit from these investments. A 16 megawatt waste-to-energy combined heat and power plant is to be built. Traffic has direct impact on all citizens who need reliable and affordable access to mobility: 312 lower-emission busses substituted the entire old bus fleet. Meanwhile Skopje is also working on a new programme for renting e-vehicles but most importantly the city of Skopje promoted its Master Plan for “Skopje Velo City” from 2014-2017.

Effects

The City of Skopje managed to create a conducive environment for urban cyclists by reconstructing old and by building new bike paths. Skopje improved its bike renting scheme and promoted transporting goods by bicycle.

At the initiative of the City of Skopje, a Coordinative Body for Cycling was established. The body prepared the Master Plan 2014-2017 aiming at building a 56 km  bike-lane-network connecting the municipalities in the district of Skopje.

This contributed to Skopje’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 21 percent by 2017, as compared to 2008.

The Coordinative Body also promotes cycling in the city to rise its modal share from modest 1.4 up to 5, or even 7, percent in the coming years.

Conclusions

Skopje’s example has inspired the network and contributed to its dynamic development.

Only one year after its inception, more Southeast European municipalities were eager to join and sign the Covenant of Mayors - two Albanian, sixteen Bosnian, sixty-two Croatian, nine Serbian, four Macedonian and five cities from Montenegro.

The Covenant of the Mayors inspired the regional capitals to network and share experiences among them with the aim to reduce CO2 emissions by at least 20 percent till 2020 in the capitals. They have committed themselves to train their staff, create, work upon and implement strategic documents like Sustainable Energy Action Plans, promote their activities and motivate other capitals to network.

 

Author: Sabine Hammer

Contact

M.Sci. Marina Petrovska

City of Skopje

Blvd. Ilinden 82, 1000 Skopje, Republic of Macedonia

Marina.Petrovska(at)skopje.gov.mk

 

Mile Biljanovski

Traffic Department

City of Skopje

Blvd. Ilinden 82, 1000 Skopje, Republic of Macedonia

Mile.Biljanovski(at)skopje.gov.mk

Categories: Good Urban Governance Municipal and regional networks Integrated urban development Sustainable mobility Cities and climate change Urban heritage Municipal services Power supply Urban mobility and public transport
Regions: Croatia Central, Eastern and South Eastern Europe Albania Tirana Bosnia and Herzegovina Sarajevo Kroatien Zagreb Monte Negro Podgorica North Macedonia Skopje

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