10. eco-innovation and sustainable...

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10. Eco-innovation and sustainable employment

10A. Present Situation Describe the present situation in relation to eco-innovation and sustainable employment, including any relevant disadvantages or constraints resulting from historical, geographical and/or socio-economic factors which may have influenced this indicator area. Where available, information/data should be provided from previous years (5 – 10) to show trends. Make reference to:

1. Innovations that address material / resource use, (substitution, minimisation of material use, closing loops, etc) and reduce environmental impacts, i.e. measures to improve resource efficiency;

2. Awareness raising and training to encourage the development and take-up of environmentally friendly technologies, particularly through training in industrial and business settings. Make reference to the authority launching the initiative as well as its target audience;

3. Efforts to promote green skills, or green jobs; 4. Efforts to promote Green Public Procurement (GPP); 5. Social innovation/stakeholder participation, including for example community programmes, that

shows entrepreneurship and new ways of organisation that promote sustainable development and protect the environment locally and globally;

6. Share of the city budget dedicated to support environmental R&D (with particular reference to eco-innovation) by public and private entities;

7. Number of jobs created in green sectors in total, as a share of total jobs in the city and as total jobs created during a period of one year;

8. Share of hybrid or fully electric cars in total stock of vehicles owned by the city. Number of charging outlets available for the cars owned privately.

570 words The Vision of Ljubljana 2025 is the basis for the city’s development. Accordingly, we are developing eco-innovations and expanding sustainable employment. We ensure success through numerous local, regional, national and global partnerships. Our strongest partnerships: The Regional Development Agency for the Ljubljana Urban Region (RRA LUR) (established by the City) promotes the sustainable development of 26 municipalities in the region (24% of the Slovene population). It leads and supports various sustainable development and awareness-raising projects (including European-level) for industry and entrepreneurship. Ljubljana Technology Park (TPL) , a third generation park (established by the City), promotes the tech-based entrepreneurship development with high growth potential. Their products are high-tech innovation. The City is the owner (87.32%) of Public Hodling Ljubljana (JHL) , which includes the companies Vodovod-Kanalizacija (VO-KA) (water, wastewater), Energetika Ljubljana (JPE) and Termoelektrarna Toplarna Ljubljana (TE-TOL) (city’s energy production and supply), Snaga (waste), and Ljubljanski potniški promet (LPP) (public transport). They implement the city’s vision and the sustainable EU goals. We support the Ljubljana University Incubator (LUI), founded by the University of Ljubljana for promoting entrepreneurship in academic sphere. Since 2008, LUI has assisted more than 90 companies. Ljubljana partnerships eco-innovations:

Šmartinska District Partnership: 12 private partners have formed ambitious long-term urban

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project, with impact on sustainable employment and eco-innovati on . We are carrying out the commercial, urban, social and environmental regeneration of an industrially degraded area on 2,278,300m2(the largest regeneration in Ljubljana). The first results are already visible. The Crystal Palace, the country’s tallest commercial building, was built exceeding EE standards.

We are installing superior energy solutions in new constructions. At the country's largest sports and recreation facility, Stožice Centre (2010), we installed the largest Slovenian district cooling system (€2,600,000).

Through the Bicike(LJ) bikesharing system (2011) , we are effectively establishing cycling infrastructure and reducing harmful emissions (national good practice initiative “Slovenia reduces CO2”). In the first two and a half years we have recorded ca. 1.6 million uses, amounting to an annual reduction of 500 tons of CO2 .

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Awareness-raising

is based on the highest level of two-way interactive communication. We implemented a series of annual activities targeting the industrial and business communities and the general public.

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Promoting green skills/procurement/jobs

Educating our staff on sustainability is aligned wi th the City’s strategies.

We are establishing new specialised positions: Energy Manager (Energy Renovation of Ljubljana), City Manager (city centre revitalisation), Cycling Coordinator (Integrated Bicycling Strategy).

Environmental concern is part of the employee code of conduct : we promote sustainable development skills.

Weekly newsletters on environmental topics we have been additionally raising the environmental awareness of our staff. We compete every year in paper use reduction. The winners receive an ECO award.

Green public procurement Since 2011 we have implemented green procurement at a level of 70%. Our green procurement includes:

electricity, food, beverages, agricultural food products and catering services, office and sanitary paper products, office IT equipment, refrigerators, freezers, washing and dishwashing machines, air conditioners, construction, energy refurbishing of buildings, furniture, cleaning agents, services, vehicles.

Cooperation in social innovations We participate in inovative projects through public tenders, procurements, PPP projects,etc. Citizens and interest groups are beeing involved in decision-making processes.

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Budget funds/green jobs/city vehicle fleet According to the Vision2025, all city projects , including strategies and action plans, contain sustainable development elements , for which funds are allocated and spent. Projects are carried out via tenders, where we also cooperate with the private sector (RCERO Ljubljana, Bicike(LJ), Sustainable Mobility Plan, etc.).

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We have 40 EV charging stations .

10B. Past Performance Describe the measures implemented over the last five to ten years concerning eco-innovation and sustainable employment. Comment on which measures have been most effective. Make reference to:

1. Initiatives aimed at increasing eco-innovation and sustainable employment, e.g. projects under Cohesion Policy funds, LIFE, Environmental Technologies Action Plan (ETAP), Green Public Procurement (GPP), as well as national policy initiatives;

2. How European and national policies have been transferred into policy action at the city level; 3. The publication of reports, such as green accounts, revealing the timely implementation of

planned initiatives. 4. Any action which the city is taking in order to develop the urban tissue/infrastructures in an

innovative/sustainable way 1183 words Eco-innovation and sustainable employment initiativ es An overview of various EU projects for promoting eco-innovation and sustainable employment is in Table 7.

Results of the most effective eco-innovation measur es

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EE/RES innovations

o Due to the district heating systems upgrading, gas supply lines and innovative service packages (offers, services, awareness-raising campaigns) the number of buildings connected to district systems increased (72.4% apartments in the city). We have succeeded in reducing CO 2 emissions by approximately 489,902 tons (2012).

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o In six years, 99 solar power plants have been installed in Ljubljana (total capacity 6571.19kW).

o Sustainable Energy Action Plan 2020 (SEAP) (2011) is a modern concept of energy supply

and use (e.g. intensive introduction of RES technologies).

o We are nationally and internationally exemplary in the field of EE construction(Gold Medal at the International Trade and Business Fair2 013 for a low-energy residential/commercial neighbourhood (€17,930,690) (see Indicator 11).

o Ljubljana’s public and intelligent traffic lighting are among the most modern in

Europe. Using LED technology we have achieved electricity savings of 80%-90% for lighting of churches. The public companies are also replacing discharge lamps, savings: Žale cemetery 90%, JPE 74%, Vodovod-Kanalizacija 30%.

Green urban area innovations

o We have transformed a degraded area along the River Sava (previously an illegal waste dump) into a recreation and education centre (EU funds: €650,000). We will install an international trail from the source of the river to the national border, and invite Croatia and Serbia to join the project and extend the trail to Belgrade.

o In 2010 we built five new parks (40hectares ) on degraded land. o We set up and rented out 65 garden allotments(2010) ; 118 additional garden allotments

are planned. By 2020 every city district will have garden allotments(18 locations).

Eco-innovations in administration

o In 2007 we reduced the number of office locations from 21 to 11 and contributed to better

EE. We are installing energy-saving systems, combining IT solutions and automating procedures. Since 2012 we have been using the unified IT system for financial and accounting operations, HR records and labour costing .

o We are the first public administration institution in Slovenia with EMAS.

Mobility eco-innovations

o Urban Ecological Zone: minimum use of energy in the urban transport sector In 2007 we established an ecological zone in the city centre (its projects are national example of good practice: “Slovenia reduces C02”). The zone is closed to all motorized traffic. We have increased pedestrian areas by almost 620%. This year we have changed the transport regime of the city’s central backbone : we have restricted access for private motor vehicles and given priority to pedest rian, bicycle and public transport. It is one of our most important sustainable mobility p rojects.

In the zone residents and visitors can use “Kavalir” electric vehicles free of charge , which have been very well received (300 passengers per day).

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The use of public transport has increased (2009-2012: 29%), owing to the innovative measures . We highlight the Urbana smart city card (integrated payment system for city services: LPP, P&R system, citybikes, library services,etc.), among the first in Europe.

Urbana and Bicike(LJ) have received international award in the field of information soc iety 2011/12 impacting the general public .

o Public transport innovations: � we equipped the 15 most busy intersections in the city centre with automated

traffic signal management , which enables faster flow of urban public transport (2012) ,

� buses and bus stops with modern technology allow right-of-way at intersections, displays of current route information, access for people with dissabilities;

� we are participating in the European Bike Intermodal project (folding bikes use);

� the city bus network and rail connections are accessible on Google Maps for

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journey planning ; � with bus arrival displays (real-time information for passengers) at bus stops the

accuracy of departures has improved to 96% ;

� our vehicle fleet renewal: one quarter of city buses meets highest environmental standards; ,

� integration of city bus routes with suburban munici palities and routes .

Social innovations

In cooperation with NGOs we are boosting social entrepreneurship: o New acquisition: restaurant (2012) with 28 employees with special needs, who serve

vegetables grown in their greenhouse .

o The SIPA project is addressing the problem of home care and the employment of vulnerable groups. 24 people, newly employed, will provide assistance to 120-170 households with small children, elderly and disabled people. A further 5 professionals will be employed as project leaders.

Waste eco-innovations

o The separate collection of organic waste have increased and landfill waste have reduced through an innovative approach: upgrading the waste collection system, and upgrading the Regional Waste Management Centre (RCERO) (the count ry’s largest cohesion project) .

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In accordance with the latest technological guidelines, we have built a leachate treatment plant (2011) and a new disposal area (2009), while for the most demanding part of the project, construction of waste recovery facilities , trial operation is planned in 2015.

o The reduction in quantities of waste generated per inhabitant is a consequence of more easily accessible infrastructure (door-to-door) and intensive communication activities.

o Other European cities (Trieste,etc.) have adopted our underground waste collectors system. It presents innovation in the process of collecting and sorting waste .

Waste water eco-innovations

o At the Ljubljana Central Treatment Plant we have optimized air blowing into the aeration pools (10% reduction in electricity consumption per unit of organic load, 550tons CO2/a reduction).

o We implemented a project Improvement of the hydraulic operation of the sewer age

system (2008-2011) (Cohesion Fund: more than 50%, project value: €13 million. We will reduce the quantities of waste water drained from the sewerage system into the Ljubljanica River and increase the capacity of the sewerage system, so that the Ljubljanica river will be cleaner.

o Excess sludge is a product of biological cleansing at municipal treatment plants, which we

process anaerobically until the dry matter content is above 90% (4,150tons/a) and use in the production of cement .

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National policies and municipal measures

The SEAP is based on national Action Plan, European legislation (EU Directive), the Covenant of Mayors and on other city adopted plans. We took into account the fundamental objectives of energy planning as indicated by national regulations and international commitments (for SEAP effects see Indicator 11).

Through the Sustainable Mobility Plan (SMP) we are tied to the European Commission’s Thematic Strategy on the Urban Environment(2006), to the European guidelines on sustainable mobility and to numerous documents that we have already adopted in the area of urban transport regulation.

The SMP aims up to 2015: to increase the share of walking by 20%, cycling by 40%, bus rides by 50% and to reduce the number of car journeys by 20% (see Indicator 2).

The Electromobility Strategy builds on the Lisbon and Gothenburg strategies. At the national level it is supported by the Republic of Slovenia’s Energy Act, Environment Protection Act, Decree on the Assessment and Management of Environmental Noise,etc.

Green public procurement is in line with the recommendations of the European Commission and national documents (Action Plan for Green Public Procurement 2009–2012, Decree on Green Public Procurement 2012).

RCERO Ljubljana: the country’s largest cohesion pro ject is a part of the Operational Programme for Environmental and Transport Infrastructure Development 2007-2013.

10C. Future Plans Describe the future short and long term objectives to promote eco-innovation and sustainable employment and the proposed approach for their achievement. Emphasise to what extent plans are supported by commitments, budget allocations, and monitoring and performance evaluation schemes. Make reference to:

1. Plans to establish eco-innovation clusters, strategies and initiatives to attract public-private partnerships for further developing eco-innovation and sustainable employment;

2. Future targets of how eco-innovations can be applied by the city, e.g. make reference to share of hybrid or fully electric cars in total stock of the public fleet, or plans to support the infrastructure

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development for electric cars in public areas (i.e. increase the number of charging points for electric cars in public car parks);

3. Participation at green business networks or partnerships and covenants and cooperation with knowledge institutions, such as universities;

4. Programmes to reach the population and industries promoting green economy thinking. 800 words Plans for the establishment of eco-innovative conte nt

RCERO Ljubljana, the largest environmental project in Slovenia: trial operation of waste processing facilities starts in 2015, following the latest technological guidelines. 600,000 residents of 33 municipalities (ca. 30% of the Slovenian popu lation) will dispose just 20% of environmentally non-hazardous waste, while 80% will be reused as raw materials or energy products. Project value: €155 million (65.88%: Cohesion Fund; 14%: national budget; 10.11%: environment levy; 10%: municipal budget and co-investors).

Energy recovery from waste: a project undr the state jurisdiction (use of local RES to cogenerate heat and electricity). The facility construction with a capacity of 30MWt will be connected to the city district heating system.

City’s two largest environmental projects, Construc tion of the connecting C0 sewer and Phase III of the Ljubljana Central Treatment Plant (ca. €85 million, co-financed with European funds) will enable the connection of new users to the public sewer system, optimisation of the system and processes, efficient use of facility capacities and greater energy self-supply. Construction will begin in December 2013, and will be completed in 2015.

City administration under one roof: sustainable dev elopment project

According to the vision, we will construct a centralised EE building for the city administration, which currently operates at 11 locations throughout the city. The new building will eliminate unnecessary journeys by city and state officials, who will work under a single roof, and by all citizens, who will be able to obtain all services at one location. The project will have a positive impact on the environment, and contribute to preserving the cultu ral heritage, renewed use of degraded urban spaces and will promote EE and sustainable mobility . It will enable the efficient use of natural resources and all forms of energy , reduction of environmental impacts and sustainable transport access .

Three new collection centres (2014) will improve the collection of hazardous waste, in particular waste cooking oil.

The first Reuse Centre in Ljubljana will become operational in November 2013. Citizens can submit various items and also buy items for symbolic prices: including innovatively restored and artistically recycled items. They can attend workshops on making a variety of practical items from used products and learn to repair different items.

Green supervisors (project in the development phase) will report on inappropriate use and condition of public spaces, on excessive pollution, illegal disposal of waste, carry out clean-up campaigns,etc.

In 2013 as part of the ELENA technical assistance from EIB, we signed a contract for the project

Energy Retrofit of Public Buildings in the City of Ljubljana. With a grant of €1,348,560 we plan energy management and energy accounting for all buildings and draft guidelines for investments amounting to €28–50 million, which we will implement by means of energy contracting . We have already appointed an energy manager (see Indicator 11).

Electromobility Strategy (2013) with its ten measures defines basic development of electromobility in Ljubljana. By the end of 2015 we will introduce pilot projects designed to promote and encourage

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the use of EV. Simultaneously, the charging infrastructure will be implemented. We promote the development of electromobility through initiatives such as free charging and the provision of an adequate number of parking spaces for EV. Funds will be provided as part of the City’s budget.

Ambitious plans for the city vehicle fleet Accoding to the Sustainable Energy Action Plan (by 2020 5% of cars on CNG), we will gradually replace the entire fleet of public companies (Energetika Ljubljana, Snaga, VO-KA, LPT, Žale), the city administration and public institutes with vehicles running on methane or electricity. For 2014 the city administration is preparing a 5-year leasing of official vehicles (45CNG vehicles). We will upgrade the LPP fleet by 2017 with 80 CNG vehicles (estimated investment €29,000,000; funds from LPP, City of Ljubljana, the EKO Fund via the climate fund, cohesion funds in the 2014-2020 perspective). We will thereby reduce PM10 emissions by more than 17tons a year. This will require the upgrading of the existing and introduction of a new filling station .

Participation in green business networks or partner ships We cooperate with numerous stakeholders, locally and globally. On the national level: ministries, the Slovenian Environment Agency, the Nature Protection Institute, the Slovenian Forest Service, the Slovenian Foundation for Sustainable Development, the Agricultural Advisory Service, the Agriculture and Forestry Chamber, the Transport, Energy and Spatial Planning Inspectorate, the Community of Protected Natural Areas of Slovenia, the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, the national UNESCO office, the University of Ljubljana,etc.

With the University of Ljubljana, scientific institutes and companies we are preparing a project “Valley Quality”, which will enable young researchers to implement their research labs ideas into practice. Thus we encourage employment and keep talent at home. We will invite researchers from abroad to Ljubljana, also.

An overview of green business networks and partnerships in Table 7.

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10D. References List supporting documentation, adding links where possible. Further detail may be requested during the clarification phase. Documentation should not be forwarded at this stage. 359 words

Vision of Ljubljana 2025: http://www.ljubljana.si/en/green-capital/vision-2025/ Public Hodling Ljubljana and companies in the group : http://www.jhl.si/en#

RRA LUR: http://www.rralur.si/en/ TPL: http://www.tp-lj.si/en

Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre: http://www.ljubljanafair.com/home/ Ljubljana University Incubator: http://www.lui.si/partners/ Stožice Centre: http://www.sport-ljubljana.si/en/stozice-center/ Bicike(LJ): http://en.bicikelj.si/ Urbana smart card: http://www.ljubljana.si/en/living-in-ljubljana/transport-in-ljubljana/public-transport-in-ljubljana/

LPP: http://www.lpp.si/en

Ljubljana urban planning in 3D format: http://www.ljubljana.si/en/green-capital/green-news/84019/detail.html

“A to B: Ljubljana” Mobile Application: http://www.ljubljana.si/en/green-capital/green-news/84938/detail.html

The European Prize for Urban Public Space for Refur bishment of the Banks and Bridges of the Ljubljanica: http://www.publicspace.org/en/prize/2012 Access City Award 2012: http://www.ljubljana.si/si/mol/access-city-award-2012/ “Slovenia reduces CO2”: http://www.slovenija-co2.si/ School eco-garden project: www.solskiekovrt.si Self-sufficient living cell: www.ee.fs.uni-lj.si/celica Wireless internet: http://www.ljubljana.si/en/living-in-ljubljana/focus/77604/detail.html List of new solar power plants: http://pv.fe.uni-lj.si/Seseznam.aspx Ljubljana Forum 2013: http://www.ljubljanaforum.org/2013/ Ljubljana Forum 2012: http://www.ljubljanaforum.org/ Ljubljana Forum 2011: http://www.ljubljana.si/en/living-in-ljubljana/focus/74404/detail.html European Sustainable Energy Week 2012: http://www.ljubljana.si/si/mol/novice/78061/detail.html Energy Advice Office: http://gcs.gi-zrmk.si/Svetovanje/index.html MOB-i-LNICE: http://www.ljubljana.si/en/municipality/news/76338/detail.html

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Eco-schools: http://www.ekosola.si/ Online Citizens’ Suggestions Service: https://urbanizem.ljubljana.si/PobudeMescanov2/ Cooperation with city districts: http://www.ljubljana.si/si/mol/cetrtne-skupnosti/ “For a More Beautiful Ljubljana” clean-up campaign: http://www.ljubljana.si/en/living-in-ljubljana/focus/77100/detail.html European Mobility Week 2012: http://www.ljubljana.si/en/living-in-ljubljana/focus/79140/detail.html Example of social entrepreneurship:

Druga violina (Second Violin): http://www.ljubljana.si/en/municipality/news/78334/detail.html, https://www.facebook.com/drugaviolina.gostilna

SIPA: http://www.sipa2.si/ Gostilna dela restaurant: https://www.facebook.com/Gostilnadela

Beyond Construction Site: http://onkrajgradbisca.wordpress.com/english/ ProstoRož – promoting life in city parks – Tabor Pa rk: http://www.prostoroz.org/ Organic farming: http://www.ljubljana.si/si/zivljenje-v-ljubljani/podezelje/kmetijstvo/ekolosko-kmetijstvo/ Organic market: http://www.itr.si/podrocja_dela/ekotrznica/lj_ekotrznica Eco-Holiday: http://www.ljubljana.si/si/mol/novice/78921/detail.html CIVITAS ELAN: http://www.civitasljubljana.si/ RCERO Ljubljana: http://www.ljubljana.si/en/municipality/news/77872/detail.html, http://www.ljubljana.si/en/living-in-ljubljana/focus/69679/detail.html, http://www.rcero-ljubljana.eu/index.html Sustainable Energy Action Plan (2010 - 2020): http://www.ljubljana.si/si/zivljenje-v-ljubljani/okolje-prostor-bivanje/lokalni-energetski-koncept/ Sustainable Mobility Plan: http://www.ljubljana.si/file/1172768/6.-toka---prometna-politika-mestne-obine-ljubljana1.pdf Electromobility Strategy : http://www.ljubljana.si/file/1307716/6.-elektromobilnost-18-4-13-konna-verzija.pdf Summary of Environmental Protection Programme 2007- 2013 – “Ready for Tomorrow” (in English): http://www.ljubljana.si/en/living-in-ljubljana/focus/73844/detail.html City administration under one roof: http://www.ljubljana.si/si/zivljenje-v-ljubljani/v-srediscu/21157/detail.html Šmartinska District Partnership: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=partnership%20%C5%A1martinka&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCIQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ljubljana.si%2Ffile%2F4275%2Fkatalog-mipim.pdf&ei=AiRPUJ65CcnVtAbn2YBw&usg=AFQjCNEE77373dpxd_xsKRC1StYexaplTg INCOME: www.life-income.si CCWaterS: http://www.ccwaters.eu/ Energy Advice Office: http://gcs.gi-zrmk.si/Svetovanje/index.html

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European Sustainable Energy Week: http://trajekt.org/2012/06/17/evropski-teden-trajnostne-energije-2012/ My gas: www.mojplin.si/ Energetika Ljubljana: www.energetika-lj.si/storitve Self-sufficient living cell: www.ee.fs.uni-lj.si/celica Websi 2013: http://www.ljubljana.si/en/green-capital/green-news/84935/detail.html Netko 2012: http://www.ljubljana.si/en/living-in-ljubljana/focus/80254/detail.html Netko 2011: http://www.ljubljana.si/en/living-in-ljubljana/focus/74839/detail.html Improving the Sewerage System for a Cleaner Ljubljanica Bike Intermodal: http://www.bike-intermodal.eu/ List of charging points for electric vehicles : http://www.elektro-crpalke.si/ Rearrangement of Slovenska Street : http://www.ljubljana.si/en/living-in-ljubljana/focus/84287/detail.html TE-TOL mobile portal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zc9786Ev0Fc; http://m.te-tol.si; World Summit Award: http://www.ljubljana.si/en/living-in-ljubljana/focus/70097/detail.html

City of Ljubljana publications : http://www.ljubljana.si/en/municipality/publications/

EU 2020 Going Local : http://www.eu2020goinglocal.eu/subpage.aspx?MenuID=68731&showmenuid=68731

Energy-efficient refurbishment of multi-family dwel lings, example of good practice – City of Ljubljana Housing Fund : http://www.izs.si/index.php?id=642

Citizens' suggestions: https://srv3dgis.ljubljana.si/vm-ousrv10/PobudeMescani/VnosPobude_Template.aspx

City of Ljubljana lighting plan : http://www.jrl.si/files/mestna-obcina-ljubljana.pdf

Efficient energy use, Energetika Ljubljana : www.energetika-lj.si/ucinkovita-raba-energije “Ljubljana – smart city” website : http://www.ljubljanapametnomesto.si/

“Cevko’s Place” website : http://www.cevko.si/

Film about Kavalir: http://www.mgml.si/mestni-muzej-ljubljana/aktualno/novice-1288/kaj-v-ljubljani-pocne-kavalir/ Film about “Transport on Demand” : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTd2rB3mHMg

Film about Ljubljana : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjZ0bQQLhCo&feature=share