EU local and regional authorities contributing to the
Mid-term review of Europe 2020
Assessment of the Resource Efficient Europe flagship initiative
Three years after its launch, the Committee of the Regions will take stock of the Resource Efficient Europe flagship initiative at a conference to be held on 2-3 September 2013 in Vilnius. This conference will be the sixth in a series of 7 CoR events and monitoring initiatives on the mid-term review of Europe 2020 in 2014. More news on this conference may be found on the CoR's website[1].
By participating in this survey, you will:
ensure that your views are taken into account in the debate held during the conference;
contribute to the 4th CoR Monitoring Report on Europe 2020, to be published in October 2013;
contribute to the CoR's consultative activity in this area over the coming months;
contribute to the mid-term review of Europe 2020 in 2014.
If you wish to participate in this survey, Please complete this questionnaire in any eu language, using the spaces provided, and return it in text format to:
by 28 June 2013
For more information on this survey and for details of how to join the
Europe 2020 Monitoring Platform, go to:
The questionnaire is available on this website in all official languages of the EU
You can find more information on Resource Efficient Europe, as seen from thelocal and regional authorities' viewpoint, in the Committee of the Regions' publication Delivering on the Europe 2020 Strategy Handbook for Local and Regional Authorities[2]. General information on Europe 2020 may be found on the strategy's official website[3].
Contributor information[4]
Name of sender: / Cristina VasileContact details:
(address, telephone, email) / Str. Cornăţel 4, Ploieşti,
0040 729 085 280,
On behalf of:
(name of local or regional authority) / Prahova County Council
Type of organisation / City/Town/Municipality Region
County/Province Association of local and/or regional authorities
Other (please specify)
Country: / Romania
Member of the EUROPE 2020 Monitoring Platform: / Yes No
Covenant of Mayors signatory: / Yes No
Covenant of Mayors Territorial Coordinator / Yes No
Policy challenges and responses at regional and local level
BOX 1 – Resource Efficient Europe: basic informationResource efficiency means using the Earth's limited resources — metals, minerals, fuels, water, land, timber, fertile soil, clean air and biodiversity — in a sustainable manner. Increasing resource efficiency can secure growth and jobs by stimulating technological innovation, boosting employment in the fast developing 'green technology' sector and opening up new export markets. It can also benefit consumers through more sustainable products.
The Resource Efficient Europe Flagship Initiative was adopted in 2010, as an integral part of the Europe 2020 strategy under the sustainable growth pillar, to "help decouple economic growth from the use of resources, support the shift towards a low carbon economy, increase the use of renewable energy sources, modernise our transport sector and promote energy efficiency"[5]. It sets out a framework to help ensure that long-term strategies in areas such as climate change, energy, transport, industry, raw materials, agriculture, fisheries, biodiversity, water and waste management, land use and regional development all deliver results in the area of resource efficiency[6] in order to:
boost economic performance while reducing resource use;
identify and create new opportunities for economic growth and greater innovation and boost the EU's competitiveness;
ensure the security of supply of essential resources;
fight against climate change and limit the environmental impact of resource use.
The Flagship Initiative was outlined in four long-term roadmaps with a 2050 horizon, respectively on climate[7], energy[8], transport[9] and resource-efficiency[10], issued in 2011, and a number of other policy initiatives with a 2020 perspective[11], covering the following aspects:
- Promoting sustainable consumption and production by setting “appropriate” price signals, providing consumers with relevant environmental information, establishing minimum environmental performance standards and putting in place incentives to reward efficient businesses;
- Turning waste into resources through more targeted recycling and re-use, separate collection and energy recovery, with landfilling to be virtually eliminated;
- Supporting more research and innovation focusing on resource efficiency goals;
- Phasing out environmentally harmful subsidies, getting prices right and shifting from taxation of labour to environmental taxation;
- Better valuation of natural capital and ecosystem services by public authorities and businesses;
- Halting the loss of biodiversity and the degradation of ecosystem services;
- Promoting better management of water resources;
- Improving air quality standards;
- Better management of land-use, soils and marine waters.
A European Resource Efficiency Platform (EREP)[13]has been set by the European Commission in order to provide high-level guidance to the European Commission, Member States, local and regional authorities, and private actors on the transition process towards a more resource-efficient economy.
In December 2012, the EREP issued its "Manifesto for A Resource-Efficient Europe"[14], identifying the following actions:
1.Encouraging innovation and accelerating public and private investment in resource-efficient technologies, systems and skills, as well as SMEs;
2.Implementing, applying and adopting smart regulation, standards and codes of conduct that a) create a level playing-field, b) reward front-runners and c) accelerate the transition, and d) take into account the social and international implications of our actions.
3.Abolishing environmentally harmful subsidies and shifting the tax burden away from jobs to encourage resource-efficiency;
4.Creating better market conditions for products and services that have lower impacts across their life-cycles, and that are durable, repairable and recyclable, inspiring sustainable life-styles by informing and incentivising consumers;
5.Integrating wider policy areas, such as in the fields of transport, food, water and construction.
6.Adopting policy goals to achieve a resource-efficient economy and society by 2020, setting targets that give a clear direction and indicators to measure progress relating to the use of land, materials, water and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as biodiversity.
1)What are the main challenges currently facing your region/city in terms of (i) the more efficien²t use of resources, (ii) the shift towards a low carbon economy, (iii) energy efficiency and use of renewable energy sources, (iv) the modernisation of the transport sector, (v) the change in producers' and consumers' behaviour (see Box 1)?
Multiple answers possible.
more efficient use of resources
shift towards a low carbon economy
energy efficiency and use of renewable energy sources
modernisation of the transport sector
change in producers' and consumers' behaviour
Please explain.
Prahova is faced with challengesin two of these categories. We do not use resources efficiently, we consume too much water and electricity, most of the buildings are old and not properly insulated, we throw away too much food because we buy more than we can consume. As regards the modernisation of the transport sector, this is difficult to achieve because we have an old system, and the roads are poor although much money is being invested in this sector.
2)Which of the aims of the Resource Efficient Europe flagship initiative (listed in Box 1) are most relevant in view of the challenges currently facing your city/region?
Multiple answers possible.
Boost economic performance while reducing resource use
Identify and create new opportunities at local level for economic growth and greater innovation and boost the EU's competitiveness
Ensure the security of supply of essential resources
Fight against climate change and limit the environmental impacts of resource use
Please explain.
This objective is the most relevant for Prahovabecause it stimulates local development initiatives which are promoted in order to develop own resources and reduce dependence on allocations from the national budget.
3)The CoR opinion[15] on Resource Efficient Europe focuses on i) low-carbon, resource-efficient transport and energy systems; ii) sustainable consumption and production; iii) zero-waste economy; iv) efficient use of raw materials (minerals, forests and biomass); v) biodiversity, ecosystem services and land use.
Has your city/region adopted policies in the following fields of resource efficiency? Which actions has it applied (innovation/investments, regulations, modifying subsidies, others as identified by EREP in box 1)?
Multiple answers possible.
low-carbon, resource-efficient transport
low-carbon, resource efficient energy systems
sustainable consumption and production
zero-waste economy
efficient use of raw materials (minerals, forests and biomass)
biodiversity, ecosystem services and land use
Please explain.
Prahova has implemented the integrated waste management system, a project worth EUR 40 million, with funding from POS Environment and co-funding worth EUR 330 000 from the partnership between Prahova county council and Ploiesti. The chief components of the project are: two waste transfer stations, a sorting station at the county tip, a mechanical-biological processing station for biodegradable waste, equipment for selective collection and the closure of the tip which does not meet requirements.
4)The Resource Efficient Europe flagship initiative recognises and promotes the interdependency of environmental, economic and social policies.
Have the policies adopted by your city/region (as stated in your answer to question 3),been interlinked as part of an integrated framework? If yes, please describe in brief, highlightingtheir mutual interlinks and potential synergies.
The project is integrated into regional and national policy for a clean environment.
5)The Resource Efficient Europe Flagship Initiative contributes to the process of reaching the headline targets set under the sustainable growth pillar of the Europe 2020 Strategy for energy and climate change:
- Greenhouse gas emissions 20% lower than 1990 (or even 30% if the conditions are right)
- 20% of energy from renewables
- 20% increase in energy efficiency
20% GHG Highly feasible Fairly feasible Not feasible
20% RES Highly feasible Fairly feasible Not feasible
20% EE Highly feasible Fairly feasible Not feasible
Please explain.
Innovative technologies in the chemical and petrochemical industries which have been or are being implemented will cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20%. In Prahova, investments are underway in clean energies, micro-hydro plants and solar systems. Insulating existing public and private buildings will boost energy efficiency by 20%.
6)The Covenant of Mayors[16].– currently counting over 4,500 signatories - is a voluntary commitment by local and regional authorities to meet and exceed the EU 20% CO2 reduction objective through increased energy efficiency and the development of renewable energy sources.
Beyond energy and climate change, regions and cities have an important role to play in fostering resource efficiency. They can invest in green buildings, sustainable water and waste management, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by promoting cleaner modes of transport and oversee the protection of ecosystems.
Do you consider this type of dissemination and networking platform to be a useful initiative? If yes, would your city/region be in favour of expanding the approach of the Covenant of Mayors framework to other key areas of the Resource Efficient Europe flagship initiative, such as biodiversity and land use, waste and water management or air pollution, provided that relevant EU targets are identified?
Biodiversity and land use
Waste management
Water management
Air pollution
Others
Please explain.
Although Prahova County Council has not signed the Covenant of Mayors, we believe that this type of platform is a useful initiative and we would be in favour of extending this approach to the three key areas that we have ticked above, provided that relevant European targets are set: we feel that these issues need appropriate regulation at EU level as they are very important for the future of our country.
7) The Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe (see Box 1) sets out the following milestones to be reached by 2020 for the three key sectors which are responsible for 70-80% of all environmental impact:
- Food - 20% reduction in the food chain’s resource inputs,
- Buildings – all new buildings to be nearly practically zero-energy and highly material efficient; 2% renovation rate per year for existing building stock; 70% of non-hazardous construction and demolition waste to be recycled.
- Mobility - an average 1% annual reduction in transport GHG emissions starting from 2012.
Food Highly appropriate Fairly appropriate Not appropriate
Buildings Highly appropriate Fairly appropriate Not appropriate
Mobility Highly appropriate Fairly appropriate Not appropriate
Please explain.
Local authorities do not have direct means to intervene in food sector technologies. New construction materials will make it possible to achieve the target of cutting energy consumption. In Prahova, there are already facilities and equipment for recycling non-hazardous waste from construction and demolition sites. We plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible, particularly from transport by modernising the buses.
How is the Resource Efficient Europe relevant to your city or region?
8)Which of the policies of the Roadmap to Resource Efficient Europe (presented in Box 1) are most relevant to your specific local/regional situation?.Multiple answers possible.
Promoting sustainable consumption and production
Turning waste into resources
Supporting more research and innovation in the area of resource efficiency
Phasing out environmentally harmful subsidies, getting prices right
Better valuation of natural capital and ecosystem services
Halting the loss of biodiversity and the degradation of ecosystem services
Promoting better management of water resources
Improving air quality standards
Better management of land-use, soils and marine waters
Please explain.
Biodegradable household waste and plant waste are processed into fertiliser at the Balta Doamnei composting plant and the forthcoming plant in Ploiesti. Prahova has implemented the project for overhauling and modernising the water and sewage system via POS Environment for a value of EUR 201 million and co-funding from beneficiaries worth EUR 28 million. The project focuses on treating waste water. Air quality in Ploiesti, along the major roads and through the valley of Prahova, is monitored on a permanent basis, with any excessive increases flagged up.
9)Which of the actions under the EuropeanResource Efficiency flagship initiative, as identified in the EREP's manifesto(set out in Box 1), are the most difficult to achieve in your city/region?
Multiple answers possible.
Innovation and investment
Regulation
Subsidies
Products and services
Policy integration
Targets for policy goals
Please explain.
There is no legal instrument for granting subsidies in these areas.
10)Overall, what are the strong and weak pointsof the Resource Efficient Europe Flagship Initiative, as seen from your regional/local standpoint?
Strong points: consolidating economic performance by reducing the use of resources, identifying and creating new opportunities for economic growth and innovation and consolidating the EU's competitiveness, ensuring security of supply of essential resources, fighting climate change and reducing the impact of the use of resources on the environment. No weak points identified.
11)Would you recommend any specific changes to the Resource Efficient Europe Flagship Initiative, in the context of the mid-term review of the Europe 2020 strategy in 2014?
Please explain
We consider that the flagship initiative is well prepared and takes account of all the challenges facing the Member States as regards the efficient use of resources, and so we have no recommendations.
Are your country's policies relevant to your city or region?
12)Does your country's 2013 (current) National Reform Programme[17] (NRP) for Europe 2020 adequately respond to your regional/local needs in the policy areas covered by the Resource Efficient Europe flagship initiative (e.g. environmental taxation, phasing-out environmentally harmful subsidies, pricing mechanisms)?Yes No Don’t know
Please explain
Yes. People buying cars pay environmental duty based on pollution standards, the CO2 emissions noted on the car's identity card and the car's cylinder capacity, and big polluters are fined large sums by the environment service. Prices for gas, heating and electricity are regulated by the state.
13)Would you suggest any changes in your country's National Reform Programme for 2014 in the area of resource efficiency?
Yes No Don’t know
Please explain
No: we feel that the NRP takes account of all the challenges facing Prahova and tackles them appropriately.
Policy and funding issues
14)What sources of funding are used to finance your actions under the Resource Efficient Europe flagship initiative? In particular: what is the role of the EU Structural Funds and programmes (e.g. ELENA, LIFE, Intelligent Energy-Europe Programme, JESSICA) in funding actions related to Resource Efficient Europe? Are any other policy/financial instruments involved?Multiple answers possible.
- Structural Funds
Cohesion Fund
ESF
- Other EU funding programmes
LIFE
Intelligent Energy-Europe Programme
JESSICA
Others: ......
- Public Private Partnership
Please explain.
The structural funds cover the bulk of project expenses, thereby reducing the financial burden on Prahova.
15)Are any of the actions you have undertaken to implement the Resource Efficient Europeflagship initiative (as stated in your answer to question 6) carried out in partnership with different tiers of government? If yes, please state (a) which administrative levels are involved and (b) which practical arrangements are taken to manage these actions jointly.
The integrated waste management system is based on a master plan funded by the Romanian government via the environment ministry.
16)Do you consider that the existing EU policy framework has established sufficient links with local level in order to achieve the targets of the Resource Efficient Europe flagship initiative? Do you have any suggestions in this respect?
We do consider this, and so have no suggestions.
17)The policy goals under Resource Efficient Europe require an integrated, multi-sectorial approach, however they are often more effective if relevant stakeholders are also involved.
Do you have a strategy for involving these various actors, such as the different institutions, economic operators (especially SMEs) and citizens? If yes, what kind of involvement have you pursued (e.g. information campaigns, dedicated events, assistance to citizens on resource efficiency investments, PPPs)?
Please explain.
The Agency for renewable energy and energy efficiency provides technical expertise for public institutions, economic operators and the general public with a view to implementing innovative technologies in the area of efficient use of energy resources.
18)Please add any further comments you wish to make on the issues covered in this questionnaire.
None.
SHARE YOUR GOOD PRACTICE
As part of the preparations for the CoR conference to be held on 23September 2013 and to showcase good practices in areas covered by the Resource Efficient Europe flagship initiative (e.g. energy efficiency, renewable sources, buildings, transport and mobility, air quality, water and waste management, spatial planning and land use, biodiversity,agriculture), you are invited to submit examples of good practice from your local area.
Please complete the form available on our website:
/ JOIN THE EUROPE 2020 MONITORING PLATFORM
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION!