City_SEC News from Bielsko-Biała, Poland and South East Sweden

Author: Elena MONTIRONI, Sviluppo Marche S.p.A., Italy -

Bielsko-Biała County

Energy baseline assessment

According to City_SEC objectives, municipalities from Polish Sustainable Eneergy Communities (Bestwina, Buczkowice, Czechowice-Dziedzice, Jasienica, Jaworze, Porąbka, Szczyrk, Wilamowice, Wilkowice) had their energy assessments made by external expert and ARR SA.

Elaboration included CO₂ emissions from following spheres: residential and municipal buildings, buildings, economic activity, transport and public lightening. The results showed that there is a big challenge for Polish municipalities – total CO₂ emissions rose by 12% and the emission per capita by 9%.

In close cooperation with the representatives of local authorities and on the basis of Energy Baseline Assessment, ARRSA prepared a SEC Policy document specifying measures that should be taken to reduce already growing emission. The most popular activities were thermomodernization of buildings, modernization of lightening or promotional activities. Municipalities assumed three different scen arios of action: minimum, usual and maximum scenario. Among these, the middle scenario, covering activities that municipalities can authorize and realistically implement by 2015; foresees achievement of EU targets.

Zero Emission Day

During European Sustainable Energy Week, the Regional Development Agency in Bielsko-Biała organized a Zero Emission Day. It was organized in the week 11-15 April 2011. This event, organized by the fifth partner of the City_SEC project, took place in three schools of Bielsko-Biała county. As Zero Emission day should have a particular angle on Training and Educational activities, ARRSA decided to organize a set of training sessions for pupils.

In the events, children from three schools from Polish municipalities had an opportunity to increase their knowledge. Lessons were conducted by experts in the fields of renewable energy sources, ecology and environment protection.

During 90-minutes lessons children discussed the most important ecological problems, for example climate change and the greenhouse effect. External experts described in a few words what the ozone layer is and how it impacts on our life. By showing them simple drawings and comparing the ozone layer to a quilt, she explained the problem of the greenhouse effect. The Zero Emission Day was very successful and popular among pupils and their teachers. They claimed the knowledge they gained was useful and will affect the children's behaviour.

Working together makes things easier: achievements in South East Sweden

The two municipalities Borgholm and Mörbylånga on the island of Öland in southeast Sweden cooperate closely in the Covenant of Mayors initiative. Borgholm signed the Covenant of Mayors half a year earlier than Mörbylånga, but the two municipalities cooperate closely with a joint sustainable energy plan and also with some of the actions.

Images: Energy Days in Öland. Photographers: Tommy Lindström (Borgholm) and Ellen Svensson (CoM contact for Mörbylånga - pictured below).

During the summer, the island of Öland is one of the top tourist destinations in Sweden and the number of people on the island increases at least ten times from 25000 inhabitants. At the peak of the tourist season a local energy day promoted energy based inventions and fun competitions for families in one of the central parks and more than 300 people visited.

The next event is planned for the beginning of February 2012. The topic will be passive houses with seminars and study visits. The energy advisers in the region are invited to an expert meeting, as well as actions for the general public. This is  an important step since the two municipalities have suggested that, in order to make it easier for people who need permission to build passive houses, there should be a reduction in the fee of the builder permit for passive houses.