eu climate change policy - status of climate affairs in municipalities in iceland

Samband íslenskra sveitarfélaga

EU CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY - STATUS OF CLIMATE AFFAIRS IN

MUNICIPALITIES IN ICELAND

Lúðvík E. Gústafsson, ExpertSamband íslenskra sveitarfélaga

Icelandic Association of Local Authorities

Samband ís lenskra svei tar fé laga

NINTH MEETING OF THE EEA EFTA FORUM 26 - 27 June 2014

OVERVIEW

EU Framework for climate and energy policies 2020 -2030

HighlightsNordLead project 2011-2012

Results and recommendationsClimate change policy in Icelandic municipalities

Example City of ReykjavíkNINTH MEETING OF THE EEA EFTA FORUM

26 - 27 June 2014


STATE OF AFFAIRS IN THE EU REGARDING CLIMATE AND ENERGY

Current 2020 targets call for are a • greenhouse gas emissions reduction of 20%

compared to 1990 levels, • renewable energy share of 20% and • an increase in energy efficiency by 20%.

In 2012 • greenhouse gas emissions were reduced by 18%, • renewable share was at 14,1% and • energy efficiency at 12,1%


EU FRAMEWORK FOR CLIMATE AND ENERGY POLICIES 2020 -2030

Main NEW Targets:

40% greenhouse gas emissions reduction and 27% renewable energy share by 2030.

In order to achieve these targets:• ETS sector would have to deliver a reduction of 43% in

GHG emissions in 2030 and the • Non-ETS sector would have to deliver a reduction of

30%,

both compared to 2005.


EU FRAMEWORK FOR CLIMATE AND ENERGY POLICIES 2020 -2030

Targets call for

Energy efficiencyincreased level of energy savings of approximately 25% in 2030

Reform of the ETS


NORDLEAD PROJECT

• Conducted as a web survey between October 2011 and February 2012

• Identifying and analysing the success factors and need for support in Nordic municipalities in their climate change response

• 29 out of then 75 Icelandic municipalities responded (39%). 3 of them reported to have a climate strategy implemented or were in the process of implementing


NORDLEAD PROJECT

Success factors in local climate work

Political leadership and

engaged management

Challenges

Lack of political interest and priorities


NORDLEAD PROJECT

As main response, applying to all countries involved in the survey:

State level economic incentives for implementing climate change measures (70% of all municipalities surveyed)

Results of the NordLead survey for Iceland:

More guidance needed in Iceland to act on climate change, especially in small municipalities who have restricted expertise and resources


SITUATION IN ICELAND

Action Plan on Climate Change agreed upon by Icelandic government in 2010

10 key actions, among them:• State of Iceland and City of Reykjavík

cooperate on tender for ecofuel vehicles• State of Iceland supports public transport

between municipalities with 1000 millj. Ikr. (~6,3 millj. €) annually from 2013 until 2022.


SITUATION IN ICELAND

Action regarding climate change is mostly needed in the transport sector

• increased use of ecofuels, preferably produced in Iceland (e.g. methane)

• increased public transport• planning and constructing bike lanes


CLIMATE CHANGE AND MUNICIPALITIES

Climate change indirectly addressed in Ólafsvík Local Agenda Declaration in the year 2000

No specific climate change action plans except in the City of Reykjavík

Many municipalities today address climate change in land use plans

Increased interest in promoting cycling as a means of transport


CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY IN THE CITY OF REYKJAVÍK

Action Plan „Framtíðin liggur í loftinu“

(The future is in the air)

Action plan „Umhverfis- og auðlindastefna“ (Environment and resources Programme)

Management system „Grænu skrefin“

(Green Steps)

Aðalskipulag Reykjavíkur 2010 – 2030

(Land use plan 2010 – 2030)



From the Action Plan The future is in the air

Compared to 2007 levels,• overall emission of greenhouse gases is to be

reduced by 35% by 2020 and• overall emission of greenhouse gases is to be

reduced by 73% by 2050

30% of transport in 2020 will be walking and cycling

During the next 20 years, public transport will double from its present level.



From the Environment and resources Programme:

Indicators:

1. CO2 emissions in Reykjavík from transport on land and at sea, industry, flight and fishing.

2. Percentage of renewables and non-renewables in production of hot water, electricity and transport.



From the Environment and resources Programme:

Main emphasis put on:

• City of Reykjavík initiates cooperation with inhabitants, neighbouring municipalities, industry and state institutions in order to decrease GHG emissions.

• Increase carbon sequestration

• Increase education on climate change and action against negative impact of climate change

• Increase research on climate change

• Adaption to climate change as part of the overall city management, with special reference to planning in coastal areas



„Green steps“ or how to increase awareness on ecofriendly transport (examples):

Step 1: information on public transport for newly hired work staff

Step 2: public transport contract instead of use of private car contract

Step 3: Encourage car-pooling among work staff

Step 4: 75% of city vehicles run on ecofuel

etc.



From the Land Use Plan 2010 – 2030

More ecofriendly transport

• All buses and vehicles of the City of Reykjavík will run on non-fossil fuel energy sources in 2030.

• Use of private car transport decreases from 75% in 2011 to 58% in 2030.


Thank your for your attention!

eu climate change policy - status of climate affairs in municipalities in iceland

Documents

eea efta forum

climate affairs

climate change response

climate change measures

climate strategy

icelandninth meeting

energyninth meeting

energy policies