Project rallying 11 countries behind carbon neutrality for cities and regions announced as a finalist in the European Sustainable Energy Awards
Coming close to net-zero emissions by 2050 is the aim of C-Track 50, supporting local authorities across Europe in long-term climate and sustainable energy planning and already bringing tangible energy savings
Since the launch of the EU-funded C-Track 50 project in 2018, more than 5 000 GWh of primary energy savings were triggered – the equivalent of taking 780 000 cars off the road for a year. This is the result of 107 local and 11 regional climate and energy plans put to work in Austria, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Romania and Spain.
‘C-Track 50 is about supporting local and regional authorities across 11 EU countries to build long-term capacity on energy and climate planning. The end goal is for the local authorities to have a plan on how they can achieve almost net-zero emissions by 2050,’ says project coordinator Alexandra Papadopoulou. ‘The national governments are committing to ambitious targets, but this cannot happen without engaging actors on the ground, and those closest to citizens are local authorities and municipalities.’
The project consortium of C-Track 50 worked on the ground with 118 local and regional authorities for the development of their climate and energy policy plans. The overall approach largely followed the EU Covenant of Mayors implementation framework, focusing simultaneously on climate change mitigation, adaptation measures to make the cities more resilient, and addressing energy poverty. Moreover, the project helped local authorities identify and apply for financial support to implement the actions outlined in their plans.
‘Thanks to an energy audit prepared as part of the C-Track 50 project, we are about to submit full documentation of an advancement project and apply for funds,’ says Dawid Nowak of Polish Commune Mycielin.
‘We got help from energy experts on how to get all energy data and how to summarise all in one document, which helps us to plan our next future actions regarding the climate and energy efficiency,’ says Gatis Žogla, Energy Manager of Salaspils County Council.
At the same time, the project trained over 1 200 individuals in climate policy planning, having expanded their understanding of sustainable energy. The project team also succeeded in bringing together local, regional and national authorities and stakeholders, engaging them in direct conversation. Referred to as ‘multi-level governance cooperation’, these efforts allowed to bring all know-how together and minimise duplications.
For example, 10 Polish municipalities from the Wielkopolska region updated their low carbon economy plans to include Monitoring Emission Inventories and climate change adaptation scenarios with the 2050 perspective. C-Track 50 energy experts helped to identify climate threats, determine the adaptation potential, and provide risk analysis for implementation of adaptation measures by 2030. The plans also indicate measures beyond 2030 and 2040.
‘In the end, C-Track 50 supported local authorities to develop their respective regional plans. 44 of these plans have already been adopted by municipal council decision for 2050, and we have also assisted them in securing a budget of approximately €150 million for selected actions,‘ adds Alexandra Papadopoulou.
The project, which is funded under the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme, responds to the EU’s long-term goal of climate neutrality by 2050. Such actions are delivering on the European Green Deal, and more urgently, supporting the REPowerEU Plan to accelerate the clean energy transition and increase Europe’s energy independence.
Global change through local action
C-Track 50 is one of three finalists shortlisted for the European Sustainable Energy Awards 2022 in the Local Energy Action category. The award recognises an implemented sustainable energy action, driven by a group of citizens or consumers, which contributes to the clean energy transition at the community or local level. The other finalists in the Local Energy Action category are ComAct and Minoan Energy Community.
ComAct is lifting households out of energy poverty by making impactful energy-efficiency improvements in apartment buildings in Central and Eastern Europe countries. Minoan Energy Community is an energy community in Crete triggering renewable energy projects to bring clean and free energy to the island.
European Sustainable Energy Awards honour changemakers taking bold action on energy and climate goals
The European Sustainable Energy Awards recognise outstanding individuals and projects for their innovation and efforts in energy efficiency and renewables. Prizes will be awarded in four categories: Innovation, Local Energy Action, Woman in Energy, and Young Energy Trailblazer. Finalists are chosen by a high-level jury from a shortlist of the year’s most successful projects and actions for clean, secure and efficient energy. The winners will be decided by an online public vote which is open now until 18 September.
EUSEW 2022
The European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) takes place on 26 to 30 September 2022 under the theme ‘Going green and digital for Europe’s energy transition’. EUSEW will bring thousands of sustainable energy stakeholders together both in Brussels and online to discuss Europe’s energy independence ambitions and climate goals through the REPowerEU Plan’s measures of energy savings, diversification of energy supplies and an accelerated roll-out of renewables.
Registrations for onsite and online attendance are now open.
For interview requests with the EUSEW 2022 Award finalists or additional media information, please contact [email protected]