Editorial
|
The development of civilization has to a great extent been shaped by its exploitation of energy resources. When vast forests and arable lands were overexploited, great city-states and empires declined. Luckily, alternative sources such as solar, wind, water, geothermal, and biomass have long been harnessed by human ingenuity. With the rise of global awareness of the non renewable energy finiteness and the ecological crisis, the pursuit of the sustainable alternatives has widely spread, and the alternative sources are extensively explored.
With an aggressive sustainable energy policy and determined effort, the four cities seek to catch up and partake in the multiple benefits of nowadays revolution in benign energy use. The scale of the undertaking might be frightening but it is the initiation of commitment that will decide the outcome. Energy Action Plans are a step forward. The second SECURE newsletter presents what each city has been working with during the last six months of the project duration, and how far they have come.
Ivana Kildsgaard, IVL | |
|
Stakeholder’s involvement helps Dublin pursue energy efficiency
|
| Aiming at contributing to Dublin's economy, helping to eradicate fuel poverty and reduce city's contribution to climate change. The Action Plan on Energy for Dublin is being developed by Dublin City Council in association with CODEMA. It is drawing on best practice from other major cities, taking full advantage of CODEMA's existing partnerships. Joe Hayden from CODEMA comments on the progress. |
|
Read more
|
Energy Action Plan for all, Hilleröd
|
In Hilleröd the goal is to create an Energy Action Plan “that gives meaning to all the citizens and employees in the municipality”, said Jens Lundig from the Hilleröd Electricity, Water and Heating (HEWH) company. They are working together with the municipality and Cenergia, an engineering consulting company, but also they are continuously having dialogues with stakeholders e.g. constructors, and building owners and Secure partners.
|
|
Read more |
European best practice ready to go mainstream
|
| Within the SECURE project a benchmark study is continuously performed against previous relevant national and European sustainable urban environment development projects and a definition of an operational “passive-house” concept for existing buildings. Carl Baker from IVL reports on the progress. |
|
Read more
|
High attention for Carbon Neutral Enterprises
|
Climate Neutral Enterprise is an action program for companies that want to work actively to minimise their impact on the climate. The programme offers a system for effectively calculating and reducing the carbon dioxide emissions of a company's operations. The programme also provides excellent opportunities for external communications. A Climate Neutral Enterprise calculates and reduces its carbon dioxide emissions. These emissions which cannot be avoided can then be offset by purchasing emission reduction units or certificates which fund emission reduction elsewhere. In this way, a company's operations can be run without a negative impact on the climate. When companies have completed the programme, they can offer goods and services which have been produced without a negative impact on the climate. |
Everyday events teach citizens how to become climate friendly
|
In Malmö a strategy for educating the inhabitants about energy use and their impact to the environment is being developed. Johanna Ekne from Malmö reports on the activities and results.
|
|
Read more |
The Power of ONE – energy efficiency for Ireland
|
| In Ireland a new national energy efficiency strategy was launched in September 2006 called “The Power of One”. The aim is to change the behaviour of consumers regarding energy. The campaign has drawn a lot of attention not only in Ireland but also abroad. |
|
Read more | |
|
