PRIORITY AREAS
Sustainable transport and E-mobility
Energy efficiency of buildings
Expansion of renewable energy production
Land use planning for increased carbon absorption
Waste-to-energy
Sustainable transport and E-mobility
The adoption of alternative energy sources for transportation is an essential goal of the EU climate and energy targets. For electric vehicles to become mainstream, particularly in urban areas with high rise apartment blocks without garages and easy access to electrical outlets, the development and expansion of an available and reliable network of charging stations at a reasonable cost is required. Additional charging stations will also be required throughout each municipality where drivers either park or stop to charge while driving. While these charging stations will mostly be privately developed and managed, it is essential that the municipalities make the permitting and construction process easy and at minimal cost.
Energy efficiency of buildings
Substantial energy savings can be achieved through the retrofitting of existing buildings for energy efficiency as well as setting energy efficiency standards for new buildings. This is required at all levels in each municipality; (a) public buildings, (b) commercial/industrial buildings and (c) residences. In each case, the approach may be different and comprise multiple elements from encouraging adoption to legally requiring compliance along with financial incentives where appropriate. For each group, knowledge of how and where energy efficiency can be financially beneficial is needed along with information on what is available locally at a relative cost. Not only should this include appropriate insulation standards but also smart buildings and smart appliances/equipment.
Expansion of renewable energy production
At a local level, substantial renewable energy can be generated that can reduce the demand for electricity from the national grid. In particular, all building owners need to be encouraged to install solar panels with appropriate battery storage for their own consumption along with installing solar hot water systems where access and space permits. In most buildings, roofs can be used for the installation of solar systems and, particularly in rural areas, land exists to build ground arrays of solar panels. In high wind areas, small scale wind driven generators may be appropriate. The financial benefits of renewable energy at a local level needs to be established and communicated. Where access to financial incentives are available, they need to be promoted and made easy to access. In addition, the expansion of renewable energy generation for integration into the national grid should be promoted at the municipal level. The requirements for integration should be well established and available along with an easy permitting and connecting process.
Land use planning for increased carbon absorption
Municipalities can use land-use planning and permitting to increase their greenbelt area as well as establish policies to minimize urban/suburban sprawl, such as by encouraging the infilling and densification of existing urban areas and use of abandoned sites. This has the benefit of reducing transportation and energy requirements. By establishing additional green zones in urban areas, not only will there be benefits to the community but it will also increase carbon absorption locally. Similarly, in rural areas, landowners should be encouraged to plant trees on land not used for agriculture and for wetlands to be maintained and expanded where possible. High energy efficient vegetation should be promoted.
Waste-to-energy
Landfill remediation can provide methane for electricity generation. Waste
can be used as part of the clean energy transition by supporting the implementation of methane capture in landfills and its use for electricity generation. Such waste-to-energy (WTE) systems not only save substantial greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) but also contribute to the renewable
energy supply.