Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP) for the City of Zagreb

Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP) for the City of Zagreb

City of Zagreb was one of the first European capital cities to join the Covenant of mayors initiative, launched by the European commission in January 2008. The Covenant of Mayors is a commitment made by signatory towns and cities to go beyond the objectives of EU energy policy in terms of reduction in CO₂ emissions through enhanced energy efficiency and cleaner energy production and use.

Adopting the Covenant of Mayors the local governments commit to submit their Sustainable Energy Action Plans (SEAP-s) within the year following adhesion. SEAP is a key document that shows how the local government plans to reach its CO₂ reduction target by 2020, containing guidelines for the implementation of projects and energy efficiency/renewable energy measures based on the current energy situation.

The development of the SEAP for City of Zagreb was financed by German Society for Technical Cooperation (GTZ - Open Regional Fund for South East Europe - Energy) and was a part of a broader regional project:  financing the development of SEAP-s for regional capital cities that have joined the Covenant of mayors initiative: Zagreb, Sarajevo, Skopje and Podgorica. North-West Croatia Regional Energy Agency was entrusted with the task of developing SEAP for the City of Zagreb. Contents and methodology of SEAP was developed in cooperation with Zagreb city council and representatives of GTZ and UNDP. First presentation of SEAP for the City of Zagreb was held at the Regent Esplanade hotel on January 27^th 2010.

Zagreb city assembly accepted SEAP as a legitimate document on 11^th conference in year 2010. With the adoption of SEAP Zagreb has taken a role as a leader of good practice and the best model for other counties and cities in Croatia. With decisive promotion of energy policy it has become an active participant in preventing global warming and the adverse effects of climate change.

Project goals:

• Reducing CO₂ emissions and energy consumption by at least 20%, thus increasing the share of energy from renewable sources to more than 20% by year 2020;
• Reducing energy consumption in building, transportation and public lighting sectors;
• Contributing to security and diversification of energy supply;
• Increasing local energy independence and public awareness in the fields of energy and environmental protection;
• Implementation of climate and energy targets set by European union and the Covenant of mayors initiative;

Activities within the project:

• Defining the methodology for collecting and processing data required in accordance with the European Commission Guidelines;
• Collecting data on technical characteristics for three sectors - building sector, traffic sector and public lighting sector;
• Analysis of collected data;
• Defining measures on how to improve energy efficiency, increase use of renewable energy sources and reduce CO₂ emissions in the city area;
• Developing implementation plans for identified measures;
• Coordination of activities with the city council;
• Presentation of the Sustainable energy action plan for the city of Zagreb and promotion of the Covenant of mayors initiative.