Bottom-up approaches as key to success of low-carbon strategies in Poland and Eastern Europe

In November, experts from European governments, regional and local representatives and private companies discussed lessons learned for low carbon strategies. adelphi moderated the workshop in Warsaw providing an international platform for mutual exchange on low carbon transition.

The transformation towards a low carbon economy in Central and Eastern Europe is crucial when it comes to achieving the emission targets of the European Union by 2050. Moreover, it entails significant social and economic benefits: reduced dependence on energy imports, increased resource efficiency, improved competitiveness, growth and employment. A close collaboration with the regional and local level as well as the corporate sector is indispensable.

For that reason, bottom-up approaches were the focus of the workshop “Exchange of knowledge and experience for the implementation of low carbon strategies in Poland and Central and Eastern Europe”, which took place on 13 November in Warsaw. About 100 participants discussed opportunities and challenges that stakeholders at the sub-national level and in various economic sectors are confronted with when implementing decarbonisation strategies. Supportive national and European legislation is essential for effective action on the sub-national level.

City networks are of central for promoting the transfer of knowledge

The workshop was opened by Jos Delbeke, Director-General for Climate Action of the European Commission. During the first panel discussion, the commissioner for energy transition of the German Federal Government, the heads of the delegations of the United Kingdom and Belgium for the conference of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that took place at the same time, and a representative of Lithuania, which currently holds the EU Presidency presented national strategies and support programmes for local initiatives and the economy.

The second panel gave the city representatives space for an exchange of practical experiences. The pioneers of low-carbon strategies showed how they involve stakeholders in the process and ensure the funding of measures. The panelists reaffirmed the importance of city networks for promoting the transfer of knowledge.

The third panel discussion introduced the perspective of the private sector. The representatives of the economic sector presented best practice examples of emission-reducing activities from sectors that are central for a successful transformation. Furthermore, they emphasised the importance of a reliable and long-term legal framework for investments.

The workshop was organised jointly by adelphi and the Polish National Energy Conservation Agency (KAPE), in cooperation with and supported by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety.

Documentation of the workshop, pdf

Please find all of the presentations under http://low-carbon.adelphi.de/