Coca-Cola and Global Water Partnership Mediterranean launch an innovative programme to fight water shortage in Cyclades

Objectives and target audience

Project’s objectives: Confront the problem of water shortage in the Cyclades Islands and promote rational management of rain water for multiple purposes.

Target audience: The program will have a pilot implementation on the public buildings of five island municipalities in Naxos, Paros, Tinos, and two municipalities in Syros

Financial Resources and Partners involved

Financial Resources : “Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company”, in collaboration with the Mediterranean sector of the non-government oranization “Global Water Partnership”

Process

Installation of rain-water tanks, cisterns and underground water barriers

• Training seminars for local technicians and members of local technical services, on the methods of construction and maintenance of water collecting systems
• Actions for the increase of local consciousness on alternative techniques
• Educational programs in local primary and secondary schools, concerning the rational management of water and the importance of alternative techniques of using the available water resources

Results

In 2008 “Mission for Water” managed to:

• circulate 127.300 information brochures
• organize 15 events, including conferences, exhibitions and lectures in Attica and Thessaloniki
• collaborate with Greek Prefectures, Municipalities and Communities, Non-Government Organizations, Universities and one radio station.
• participate in various events that were organized by the Greek Ministries of Internal Affairs, Transport & Telecommunications, Environment & Public Works and Education.

Critical Success Factors / Challenges

The Aegean islands, especially Cyclades, are considered to be among the most problematic areas concerning water shortage.  The limited rainfalls, their geological structure, the scarce vegetation and the human interventions have resulted in an acute problem of water shortage, therefore the implementation of the program “Mission for Water” is expected to make a considerable contribution in water saving.
The program’s pilot Action Plan implementation on public buildings of five island municipalities is expected to create a best-practice model that will be promoted by the mass-media, in order to be widespread for the benefit of all local communities in Greece and other Mediterranean countries.
The measured results and the know-how aquired through the implementation of the pilot program will be made available to all island municipalities and will be presented in a series of international conferences.

Energy consumption is shockingly unequal across the globe.  The average global consumption is 2000 watt/capita – this amount is 10 times greater in Canada and Russia and in some part of the US, and 6 times greater in Western Europe and the rest of the US whereas, in most developing countries, the rate ranges from half this amount for most of people to nearly 10 times less for 100 million people.  Sustainability requires a clear vision with precise and comprehensive criteria.  Two thirds of primary energy is lost via poor conversion and low efficiency of energy technologies.  The “2000-Watt Society” platform offers a new and reliable perspective on natural resources as the key to sustainable development.

Objectives and target audience

The idea of a 2000-Watt-Society supports technical innovations that maintain our present average energy consumption rate and reduces the inequity in usage and maintains an increase in global prosperity.

Financial Resources and Partners involved

City of Zürich offers incentives for the implementation of sustainable policies in urban planning, mobility, building and services. Zürich takes a leading role in sustainable design, construction methods and standards for public and subsidized buildings.  Swiss Re is greenhouse neutral by the end of 2015, as part of its commitment to abate climate change – by reducing physical emissions by 15%, and by investing in the World Bank’s Community Development Carbon Fund.
Partners involved:-

• ETH – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich;
• Novatlantis – Sustainability at the ETH domain;
• Stadt Zürich – City of Zürich;
• Swiss Re.

Process

Improvement in materials and energy usage, replacement of fossil fuel with renewable sources, and smarter business practices will all contribute to a better urban environment. Cooperation with the scientific community and private partners employing advanced technologies to promote sustainability in the construction market.

Results

In Zürich, new  “2000-Watt-Society” buildings require only ten percent of the energy of an average building. A 2000-Watt-Society hospital project with factor 10 criteria is planned for implementation by 2012.

Critical Success Factors / Challenges

• To achieve “best-in-class” building targets via intelligent architectural concepts and simple but effective technical solutions;
• To reach longer leasing cycles and lower maintenance building costs;
• To go beyond governmental regulations by entering voluntary agreements to reduce the environmental footprint.

Ladymarian is one of the subprojects co-financed by the Liguria Region and by the European Commission of the Interreg III C South Program of the Robinwood Project.

Objectives and target audience

The project has the objective of searching the possible specific aspects of the wood energy weaving factory in the Apennine area.

Financial Resources and Partners involved

The project is co-financed by the Liguria Region and by the European Commission.

The partnership is composed of the following:-
•    Mountain Community Stura and Orba Valleys- Campo Ligure – GE
•    Mountain Community Alta Val Polcevera – Ceranesi –GE
•    Mountain Community Argentea -Arenzano –GE
•    Mountain Community of Giovo – Savona
•    Park of Beigua
•    Municipality of Genoa
•    Province of Genoa
•    OZ Pre edukáciu Sabinova C.A.PES Sabinovgen. Svobodu 4 SK – SLO.
•    University of Wales Bangor -School of Agricultural and Forest Sciences – Bangor Wales – UK
•    BRE Wales – ECM2 Port Talbot – Wales – UK

Process

Action 1: Mountain Community Stura and Orba Valleys

The Action 1 coordinated the activities of the subproject. In the development of wood weaving factories came out the importance of the management aspect regarding the coordination among the different activities and criticalities of the territory.
The development of an activity which acts on the territorial components earth-vegetation-water-air has to consider the various aspects of the impact of the action and the consequences in the long period which remain as maintenance requirements of the territory.
The simple statement became in the Apennine mountain territories awkward question of balance among the productive needs and those of profitability of investments and the needs of safeguard of environmental and local socio-economic components.
With regards to this aspect, the Ladymarian project developed single actions upon the theme of which knowledge would enable to improve the approach to the entire system of energetic wood weaving factories that are being developed within the region.

Action 2: Mountain Community Valli Stura e Orba. GIS

Action 2 had the objective of developing a  hydro geological simulation model which was able to integrate the planning, management and monitoring of the wood works and to compare the instruments of consolidated and innovative planning (Plans of cuts) through a dedicated GIS system.
The GIS system had to obtain information about the susceptibility to the upheaval of the sides subjected to wood uses and to simulate the hydrogeological impact of the cuts previsions of various instruments of wood planning, including the Plan of Cuts, a innovative planning document for Liguria, which was adopted up until now only by the Mountain Community of Stura and Orba Valleis within the limits of competence.
The territory of research chosen was the left bank of the low basin of Ponzema, in the Municipality of Campo Ligure (GE).
The country surveys for the collection of territorial data started, the archive of the Mountain Community was consulted to collect information and bibliographic data, the vector digitalizing of the perimeters cadastral parcels, of the wood cuts, of the brooks, the works of hydraulic and wood arrangement.
All collected alphanumeric datasets were enclosed in the databank of the SIBE (Information System Wood-Energy of the Stura and Orba Valleys) and maps of the susceptibility to the upheaval of the sides and of the index of hydrogeological risk were drawn.

Action 3: Municipalità of Genoa. GIS.

Action 3 consisted of the organisation of a work table among partners with regards to the criticalities of the implementation GIS according to the laws and the effectiveness of the wood-energy weaving factory. The objective of the work table was to analyse the situation according to the predisposition of the GIS instruments by the territorial and not the authorities that acted on the territories of the Province of Genoa, the evaluation of compatibility and interchangeability of the data among various systems, the simulation of alternative scenarios of management in the long period of the wood-energy weaving factories in the Apennine and the propose of inherent norms that the earlier communication of cut (for the preventive valuation of the impacts and the redaction of the Plans of the CUTS).  In addition, research about the obligations of law and planning kind which interacted with the wood weaving factories was planned.

Action 4: Mountain Community of Giovo. Guiding lines for the application of good practices of realisation of wood practicability

This activity is related to the analysis of the problems with regards to the coordination among punctual urban and landscape norms and operative exigencies, for the wood practicability in the energy-wood weaving factories. This activity has the objective of starting a path of homogenisation of the various punctual norms to adequate them to the peculiarity of wood management with the condition of the respect of the criterion of the wood sustainable condition GFS.

Action 5: Wood association of Woods of Stura’s and Orba’s Valleis certificated and the valorisation of the manufactures

Action 5 had the objective of the valorisation of the manufactures realised with the wood of the Ligurian Apennine. In particular, it developed a scheme for the valorisation of the manifactures made of wood which comes from the woods managed according to the standards of the Sustainable Wood Management. The activity had the objective of promotion of green purchases by the public authorities (GPP Green Public Procurement) which consider positively during the offer, the characteristic of sustainability of the cycles of production.
The ecological mark of a wooden manufacture is linked to the sustainability of the wood management, of the works, of the transportations. This activity is developed with the collaboration of the Wood Association Stura’s and Orba’s valleis.

Action 6: Mountain Community of Stura’a and Orba’s Valleys. New propositions for the recognition of the value of the wood.

With the adhesion to the Kyoto Protocol and to the Marrakesh Accords Italy committed itself to calculate the balance among the emission and the absorption of carbon produced not only by the new plantations but also by the wood management of the pastures, of the agricultural lands. The legislative course which conduce to the creation of the National Registry of the Tanks of Carbon and to a full work of it are underway. Moreover, there are the volunteer canals of adhesion to initiatives for the neutralisation of the emission, where quotas of carbon confiscated from activities of reforestation are evaluated.
The action has the task of valuating the opportunities of the organisation of the wood owners for the actuation of the national norms, considering that the difficulties of adhesion of a single little owner, in the landed situation of the Apennine, could be neutralize in reality the potentiality of the system of recognition.

Action 7: Mountain Community Alta Val Polcevera. Heating plants of biomass

Action 7 planned the redaction of a scheme of technical and financial support for the correct spread of little heating plants of biomass (public buildings), (users monofamiliar, little block of flats, greenhouses etc.) in connection with local wood resources. In the prevision of development of heating plants stoked by wood chips appears always more that the reference to the small weaving factory cannot be renounced. The local origin of the wood is the necessary condition to assure a positive repercussion on the management of the wood and on the maintenance of the territory. The applicability of a system of heating sale is valuated through the location of the plant with respect of a multiyear contract of heating transfer.

Action 8: Mountain Community Argentea. Subaction a): Ideological model. Subaction b): Compost of quality.

Action 8 was organised in two subactions. The subaction a) had as objective the elaboration of a hydrological model for the valutation of the discharge in the sides with a ophiolitic geological substratum. The subaction b) intended to valuate the use of the compost of quality, added with ashes of virgin wood coming from the heating plants of biomass, for the action of environmental reactivation and recovery in the areas crossed by a fire. For the subaction b), it was completed the redaction of the executive planning for the realisation of four experimental parcels for the valuation of different applicative ways of the compost of quality in burned area or in those subjected to a strong erosion, individuated in the Case Vaccà place, in the Municipality of Arenzano (Ge), in the Regional Wood LERONE.
The modalities of effectuation of the periodical operations of monitoring were arranged, they intend both qualitative observations, and experimental measurements of the solid transport of hydrometeoric waters, intercepted by canals of captation and fed in basin of sedimentation.
The use of ashes coming from the heating powers is a very interesting theme in expectation of the realisation of new powers in the region.

Action 9: Mountain Community of Giovo – Plants.

The Action 9 had the objective of awaking the operators of the sectors of the installation of kind of heating powers able to introduce themselves in the energy-wood weaving factory activated at the local level.
The action was actuated through public initiatives for the plant engineers’ technical-professional update, the presentation of ongoing experiences, the exposition of socio-economic valuation, of machineries and equipments.
With this task the show ENER WOOD EXPO – Biomass, a sustainable resource for the Ligurian hinterland” was organised, in which the following seminars and conventions were planned:
• Installation of modern boilers with wooden fuels (seminars).
• sale of heat for the agricultural-wood operator (seminars).
• Wood-energy: the activation of the weaving factory (convention).

Action 10: Regional Natural Park of Beigua. Conservation of the germplasm

The Action 10 had the objective of development of a pilot project for the creation of a operative model which allowed the identification of ecotype of Mediterranean shrubs which could be used in the operations of renaturalisation and reconstruction of the vegetal cover, the mapping of origins on papery and digital base (GIS system), the collection of the material of propagation and following characterisation, the conservation of germplasm through the collection of mother plants “ex-situ” and the preservation “in-situ”. During the activities the “Operative Protocol for the individuation of the areas of collection of seeds and the following sample of seeds” was redacted, with a Form of campaign for the identification of a single area.
The territory of research chosen was the Regional Wood Lerone and the public properties of the municipality of Arenzano (Ge).
It was individuated a first quota of 40 settlements of target species (firstly alterno, mountain sorb, arbutus, holly, hawthorn and blackthorn) potentially idoneous to the supply of the seed. Each settlement was mapped in cartography and the related form of campaign which include the ecological characteristics pf areas and settlements and the aptitude to the supplement of the seed.
The picked up seeds were submitted to quali-quantitative evaluation in laboratory and they were predisposed for the preservation until the moment of their future sowing in nursery.
The recognized areas fitted, both in the Beigua Park, and in the ZPS “Beigua-Turchino,” a special protection zone. The target species, object of the sampling, are very important and represent a trophic resource for the protected species of birds in this area. The conservation and the future use of the germplasm of this shurbs represent an important conservation measure also for the different species of birds from which derives their nourishment.

Action 11: Province of Genoa. Link with “Agenda 21”

The Action 11 had the objective of increase the value and of spreading with an operating plan the results of the project on the Province territory and the coordination with other initiatives (like the actions of the ”Piano Azione Locale” of “Agenda 21” of the Genoa’s Province) with the organisation of exchange meetings of experiences with the subjects interested to the wood weaving factory.
Part of the activities was already done with the instruments of “Agenda 21” and the expected action result was the contribution to the definition of an Integrated Provincial System. The System had the objective of putting in permanent way the actors of the wood weaving factory on net, and of promotion of initiatives based on good practices.

Results

The results of the project were:

•    Realisation of a model of simulation hydrogeological;
•    Definition of a scheme of technical and financial support of small system of biomass;
•    Start of a pilot project for the promotion of wood in the manufacturing;
•    Redaction of a study about the membership of wood owners;
•    Promotion of the use of the compost of quality obtained of virgin ash of wood
•    Individuation of treatments to improve the duration of wood productions.

Critical Success Factors / Challenges

The City of Växjö (southern Sweden) is moving closer towards the vision of zero emissions

Objectives and target audience

What was the project trying to achieve? Who was the project targeted at (if applicable)?
In the City of Växjö, the emissions of fossil carbon dioxide (CO2) shall decrease by 70 percent per capita until 2025, compared to 1993, and the long-term vision is a totally fossil fuel free Växjö.

Financial Resources and Partners involved

Please give an overview of the budget, and an outline of the funders.
Which organisations were involved in shaping and delivering the project.
Since Fossil Fuel Free Växjö is a programme covering everyone and everything within the geographical borders of Växjö, and is all the time supplemented with new actions, it is not possible to define a budget or total costs for it. Therefore it is also difficult to say the total amount or share of national or international contribution, except for some specific projects.

The Fossil Fuel Free Växjö programme was worked out through intensive dialogue with local NGOs, companies, the university and citizens. In 2007, a local climate commission was started, in order to identify actions that needed to be carried out to reach the goal. The commission consisted of representatives from politicians, city administration, Växjö University, Växjö Energy Ltd, Energy Agency for Southeast Sweden, and three companies.

Process

In 1997, the Government of Sweden announced that they would allocate around 600 million € to local environmental investments. This turned out to be a good opportunity to gather local actors to different thematic dialogues to discuss; a) what kind of projects could be part of Växjö’s Local Investment Programme, and b) what actions would be implemented in a local Agenda 21 strategy. This was the start of the drafting of a local action plan for a Fossil Fuel Free Växjö which mainly focused on the following areas:

• Renewable heating and cooling
• Renewable power production
• Efficient use of energy
• Renewable fuels for transport
• Reduced climate impact of transport

Växjö’s strategy for a change to a fossil fuel free community has comprised a combination of changed behaviour, energy efficiency, and transition to renewable energy in heating, power and transport.

Results

CO2 results
Thanks to all the actions mentioned above, the result is so far a reduction of 32 percent until 2007. However, one should remember that 32 percent wouldn’t be so much if Växjö wouldn’t have done anything before 1993; but the CO2 levels were low already in 1993. In 2007, the emissions were 3,131 kg per capita in Växjö, compared to 4,630 kg per capita in 1993. This means that already in 1993, Växjö had less emission level per capita than Sweden has today.

Energy results
Växjö is supplied by about 2,400 GWh in 2007. Transport, heating and power is supplied by roughly one third each. Of all the energy, 54 percent comes from renewable energy sources, 35 percent comes from fossil fuels and the rest is non-renewable power, mainly nuclear power imported from other parts of Sweden.

Socio-economic results
It is impossible to quantify the savings of money due to the Fossil Fuel Free Växjö programme. But one interesting thing we can see in Växjö is that the economic development did in no way suffer from the city’s shift to biomass-based energy.

Critical Success Factors / Challenges

The first, and probably the most important one, is the political commitment and political unity. All political parties agree that environmental issues, not at least the ones concerning climate change, are very important
The second aspect is the broad cooperation. The Fossil Fuel Free Växjö programme was worked out through intensive dialogue with local NGOs, companies, the university and citizens. In 2007, a local climate commission was started, in order to identify actions that needed to be carried out to reach the goal. The commission consisted of representatives from politicians, city administration, Växjö University, Växjö Energy Ltd, Energy Agency for Southeast Sweden, and three companies.
The third aspect is financing. Växjö has managed to receive funds for many of the actions carried out here. Some of it has come from the national Government, some of it from European Union.

The climate advisory board of Region Skåne has the task to investigate the tasks that need to be accomplished in relation to climate change in Skåne.

Objectives and target audience

• To perform a survey of relevant conditions for Skåne and to observe the specific problems seen from a climate change perspective;
• To describe and suggest measures regarding how the activity within the region of Skåne can lower greenhouse gas emissions;
• Elucidate the work against climate change that the Region of Skåne will carry out internally;
• Investigate and describe the initial tasks that have previously been completed in Skåne and to fulfill future tasks that will have to be carried out regarding the issue of climate change in Skåne;
• To decide upon suitable measures that will have to be carried out with an appropriate starting-point from different fall-outs with regards to the issue of climate change, taking into consideration the positive and negative points;
• Suggest measures and investments that need to be made within the energy business branch;
• Coordinate the work with the Skåne Association of local authorities and the county administrative board of Skåne;
• Put a broader perspective on the challenge involving the Öresundscommittee within the work;
• The climate advisory board shall present their work at the international climate conference held by UN in Copenhagen at December 2009.

Financial Resources and Partners involved

Region Skåne is funding the advisory board and the task.

Process

• There are three essential steps in the work; survey, coordinate and suggest;
• The tasks will be performed between November 2007 to October 2009;
• Meeting within the board each month;
• Close cooperation with private and public actors;
• Investigation of risks and possibilities, and present climate change work in Skåne shall be finished spring 2008;
• Analysis of the investigation should be the base for suggested measures;
• During the existence of the board, public hearings will be held as well as participation in the regional energy fair;
• An active dialogue with public and private actors.

Results

Measured results:

• A list of approximately 1300 undertaken or on-going measures energy and climate measures currently existin Skåne;
• Participation at regional energy fair.

Critical Success Factors / Challenges

Success factors are:-

• Brave decision makers;
• Skilful strategies;
• Good quality of the performed investigation;
• Skilful coordination;
• Humble approach to all partners involved.

Focus on the use of energy and how to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases.
Raise awareness and creation of a knowledge base.

Objectives and target audience

The objectives are the below:-
•    Saving energy, reduction of energy use;
•    Improvement of citizens quality of life;
•    Reduction of greenhouse gases emissions and local air pollution;
•    Economic benefits;
•    Achieving a sustainable energy future;

The target group that the project is aimed at are all the citizens of Amaroussion’s municipality.

Financial Resources and Partners involved

The Municipality finances the projects either from European or from national (co-funded by the 3rd CFP for Greece or Greek Ministry of Development) funds.  A very important partner of PRO-EE- “Public Procurement Boosts Energy Efficiency” is the Centre of Renewable Energy Recourses (CRES).

Process

The process is as follows:-
•    Definition of energy consumption needs;
•    Target setting;
•    Studies about the application of energy efficiency techniques;
•    Measurements and comparisons of energy consumption before and after the application of energy efficient technologies;
•    Corrective actions.

Results

From the results gathered it can be said that local air quality is improving.  There has been a reduction of the following concentrations of CO2, NOx, SO2 and benzene.   Public awareness with regards to energy efficient has also risen.

Critical Success Factors / Challenges

The key issues for success are:-

•    Economical and political support and intention;
•    Set timelines for actions, including meetings to evaluate progress, completion dates, milestones and expected outcomes;
•    Organized studies;
•    The right awareness.

ISD launched a public debate (on national level) with regards to the objectives of energy policy and it’s role as instrument of climate policy.  The goals are to show possible integration of the energy and climate policy, and to promote renewable energy strategies and energy efficiency.  Good practice of energy planning on the local level are the tools for implementation of the Alternative Energy Policy for Poland until 2030.
Objectives and target audience
Objectives:-

• To influence the decision makers to create sustainable goals and solutions for the energy policy;
• To create a public debate on energy future for Poland;
• To eliminate the barriers impeding progressive climate policy through creating an alternative policy of energy sector;
• To promote renewable energy strategies and energy efficiency;

Public consultation involved: representatives of NGOs, public administration, industry, energy sector and trade unions; The project is mostly addressed to policymakers, lawmakers, public officials, professionals and journalists;

Financial Resources and Partners involved

Total budget: 396,29 thousand PLN
National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management/ Poland
OAK Foundation/Europe
Heinrich Boell Foundation/Poland

Process

The identification of dilemmas for the energy policy in their priority order for representatives of NGOs, public administration, industry, energy sector and trade unions;
The preparation of policy options integrating the dilemmas identified in seminars;
The conference (including press briefings) addressed to the policy makers. Presentation of the draft scenarios of the energy policy options in the context of the EU climate policy;
The preparation of a preliminary draft of the energy policy, including an analysis of  the major problems and specifying: (i) objectives of the alternative policy, (ii) principles to be followed in its implementation, (iii) course of action, (iv) framework proposal for instruments for its implementation;
A debate with invited experts on the proposed version of energy policy.  The aim is to obtain the experts’ opinions on the quality of the proposed document and the conditions which should be met to ensure that the proposed document is likely to be implemented;
The preparation a of document which integrates the remarks and comments from debate;
Public consultations of the prepared document with all the stakeholders who took part in the earlier work and the organization of four open regional meetings together with the members of the Climate Coalition (network of NGO’s in Poland) to increase public awareness on the proposed alternative energy policy;
The preparation of a final version of the document describing the alternative energy policy in three versions of the publication:  technical report,  document for politicians and  brochure for  public.  The preparation of material for the press.  Printing  publications.  The document for politicians will be translated into English and Russian.
The summing-up conference, along with a press conference, on the possibility and necessity of changing the Polish energy policy and implementing active climate policy. The conference will bring together professionals, policymakers, lawmakers and public officials.
Shipment of publications.

Results

The basic product will be a document presenting the alternative Polish energy policy in three editions:  technical report,  document for politicians and  brochure for  public. These papers will be published and placed on website.
The direct involvement of a group of approximately 750 individuals in the process of developing alternative energy policy through their participation in meetings and consultations.  Moreover, the visitors of the website of the Institute (10.000 persons in a year) will be indirectly involved.
Creation of the informal network, an exchange of the opinions and mutual understanding of the positions of different stakeholders participating in the process (NGOs, local/regional governments, industry, administration).
Creation the basis to build a partnership/critical mass for changing the existing energy policy, which is environmentally unsound and does not take into account the needs of climate protection.
The increased public awareness of the significance of the energy policy for climate protection.
As a result of these actions, in long term, Poland’s dependence on the coal-based energy sector and its GHG emissions should be reduced.  This should allow for increased involvement Poland’s involvement in the European and international climate protection actions.

Critical Success Factors / Challenges

The Conference of Parties of Climate Convention that will take place in Poland during December 2008 as well as UE Energy Package dissuasion create a good atmosphere for the project evaluation.  There is much public interest with regards to energy and climate aspects.
There is a need of public debate on energy scenarios.
Setting up the ambitious goals for integration of the climate and energy policy on a national level, and will this influence the regional and local policies.
The most important opportunity to utilise the results of the project making the EU Fund during the period of 2007 – 2013 more climate friendly. It will bring an increase of energy efficiency as well as avoidance of future GHG emission.
The project can be successfully transferred to other countries, spatially New member States of EU as well as candidates countries or some Newly Independent States such as Ukraine.

In 2003 the Urban Engineering Bureau in the city of Częstochowa was established to take a lead on sustainable energy policy implementation in the region. It was supposed to promote and develop the solution for the rational energy use, especially in the public service buildings owned by the municipality of Częstochowa.

Objectives and target audience

The main objective of the project was to create a more sustainable energy management system in the region of Częstochowa. One of the key success criteria was to decrease energy, heat and water consumption in the public service buildings, owned by the municipality.
It was important to involve administrators of the buildings, as well as employees in the project. Local organisations and associations were also involved. The Urban Engineering Bureau is a support body for energy policy goals implementation, information and promotion of the sustainable energy solution.

Financial Resources and Partners involved

City of Częstochowa funds (4 new employee);

Process

Main tasks undertaken as a part of the project:-

• Setting up the monitoring system in the public service buildings;
• Coordination of the data monitoring (collecting data, reporting, etc.)
• Support of  the city Council on Sustainable Development work;
• Promotion of energy use at schools and in the public service buildings,
• Detailed assessment of the project results in the public service buildings;
• Every year the bureau is preparing detailed reports for the city of Częstochowa – summary of activates and its effects.

Results

Key results of the Urban Engineering Bureau in the period of 2003-2007:-

• Total energy consumption has decreased by c.a. 61 400 GJ (23,44%);
• Total expenses for the energy has decreased by c.a. 1 635 thousand PLN (13,81%) – Increase of the cost of the energy was taken into consideration;
• Total CO2 emission decreased by more then 7400 ton (23%);
• Total cost for water and waste water disposal decreased by c.a. 244 thousand PLN (23%)- Increase of the costs of the water/waste water disposal were taken into consideration;
• Total water usage decreased by c.a 68 200 m3 (34%);

Critical Success Factors / Challenges

Critical Success Factors:-

• Integrated economical goals and environmental goals;
• Good cooperation, understanding and support of the region authorities;
• Location of the body. Urban Engineering Bureau, as a official part of the city administration has real influence on decision makers;
• Defined goals and target groups of the project;
• Good cooperation with the media suppliers company as well as building administration;

Agenda 21 is a spontaneous and voluntary process which was important in providing support to a methodological vision rather than to obtain practical effects in a short period. Effects will come from an acquisition of a common vision of problems to overcome tacks characterized by conflicts and complaints.

Objectives and target audience

To develop a decisional method to increase the value of needs of civil societies members (citizens, enterprises, citizens’ fellowships, professional societies, workers’ trades etc).

Financial Resources and Partners involved

Genoa’s Municipality, Genoa’s District Council, Liguria Region, ARPAL (Regional Agency for Enviroment), ARE (Regional Agency for Energy), European Union.  Agenda 21 is a project financed by the internal resource of Genoa’s Municipality and Social European Fund.

Process

Genoa’s Municipality joins the First Aalborg Charter in 1995 and the New Aalborg + 10 Charter in 2004.  The new Alboorg+10 Charter was a regulatory reference for development of the Agenda 21 Action Plan in Genoa.  Primarily, Agenda 21’s phase for Genoa’s territory was divided in 5 territorial ambits.  Process steps were the identification of social actors and the foundation of the Ambits’ forums.  Forums were worked to identify prior topics of discussion.  Moreover it was founded a plenary forum in which each Ambit’s forum presents interim reports on its works.

Results

A first result was the realisation of Agenda 21 Action’s Plan which included 24 prior actions  in the field of environmental sustainability.

Critical Success Factors / Challenges

A drawback of the participations processes are that it is difficult to maintain the coherence between statements and actions.  But the most important condition is make safeguard of the participative process: the worse enemy of Agenda 21’s process is that the statement will not be put into practice but the participation’s betrayal is the no-acknowledgement.  At Genoa, the Agenda 21 Action Plan was recognized by Municipal Council with a specific act.

Participate planning of area “Colorificio Boero” in Molassana

Objectives and target audience

To project with a participate planning not only Boero’s area  but the whole quarter of Molassana  which is the centre of “Municipio IV Media Val Bisagno” (parish council of central area of Bisagno Valley) realizing spaces and services to improve life’s quality of inhabitants.

Financial Resources and Partners involved

The project is mainly financed with internal resources (activities of municipal offices). Partners involved are: Parish council of central area of Bisagno Valley, Genoa’s University (Architecture Faculty – Department of History and Project of Territory and Landscape Architecture “Polis”), inhabitants, stakeholders, Municipality’s technical offices.  University’s participation to this project is planned in partnership drawn up between Genoa’s University and Municipality.

Process

The embedding and participation of townspeople in process of area’s planning will obtain using these means: technical boards, public meetings, stakeholders’ forum, synthesis workshop.  Indicators of process will be composed by a questionnaire given to Molassana’s citizens and by 30 semi-structured interviews to special witnesses.

Results

Expected outcomes are translation of suggestion collected by participation’s tools in element of urban planning.

Critical Success Factors / Challenges

Critical success factors include the right understanding of inhabitants’ expectations (obtained by a right grading in composition and interaction of technical boards, stakeholders’ forum and citizens’ assembly).