Energy efficiency: The role of the local and regional authorities in the Eastern Partnership countries

 

Energy efficiency: The role of the local and regional authorities in the Eastern Partnership countries

 

For most of the European Partnership countries, energy reduction is high on the political agenda as they are often highly dependent on expensive imported gas, which places a heavy burden on their economies. At the same time, decentralisation efforts in recent years have led to increased responsibilities at local level, though not always accompanied by the necessary financial support. The local and regional authorities’ role in promoting energy efficient solutions is still limited. The local innovation ecosystems that could potentially empower energy savings, barely exist; and where they do exist, they do not offer adequate incentives for extensive experimentation nor cooperation between all the relevant stakeholders. On the other hand, even though the budgets for energy efficient initiatives are not a big part of total EU funds directed to the Eastern Partnership countries, local and regional authorities have largely benefitted from EU support on this matter. 

 

Read the report written by Karolina Zubel for the Committee of the Regions: link.