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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 2-3September 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 detailsof 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: / Ludo VanongevalContact details:
(address, telephone, email) / Dep. Leefmilieu, Natuur en Energie
K. Albert II-laan 20
1000 Brussel
+32 2 5538041
On behalf of:
(name of local or regional authority) / Flemish government
Type of organisation / City/Town/Municipality Region
County/Province Association of local and/or regional authorities
Other (please specify)
Country: / Belgium
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 EuropeFlagship 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 alldeliver 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 moreefficien²t 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.
The Flemish governmenthasidentifiedthirteenmajor social challengesinits futureproject 'Flanders in Action.' To addressthese challenges,small improvementsare not enough and more profound interventions in the system arenecessary.The traditional policy instrumentswillnotbe sufficient to bring about these systemic changes.
Two ofthese challengesare directly linked tothe objectives of theflagship initiative'a resource-efficient Europe': a'sustainable materials management' and 'renewableenergy/smart grids'as a step towardsa low-carboneconomy. Thesustainability ofconsumption patternshas been put forward as a third challenge, which can be regardedas a sort ofperipheral precondition/success factorforthe changes listed below.
Sustainablematerials management:
Commodities andmaterialsgenerally remainexpensiveandscarce forFlanders from an ecological,socialandeconomic point of view. The termination andredrawingof material cycles andthe useof waste materials asvaluable resourcesforour economyare theprioritiesfor Flanders'policy regarding materials. Thisshould help to bring about an efficiently turning and green economyin Flanders withthe lowest possible use of commodities, energy andmaterials.
Shift towards a low-carbon economy:
Flanders alsoneeds to finds its own way toimplementthis Europeanlong-term strategyfor the reduction ofgreenhouse gas emissions(the so-called 'Roadmap 2050'). Inthe Flemish ClimatePlan2013-2020 provisionisalso made forthe Flemish region to producea"low-carbon development strategy." For this there has to be a transition route for Flanders in thelong term(up to 2050).
The energy issueis one ofthegreatest socialandeconomic challenges worldwide. Here too, Flanders needs atransition processforthe energy system because of the pressing challenges involved including in the areas ofclimate change, security of supply, sustainabilityandcompetitiveness, among others. Flandersis going foranenergy transition in which economic,social and environmentalinterests are blended in the best way possible. Flanders is aiming to move over to 100% renewable energy and is striving to satisfy its energy needsfrom renewableenergyas much as possibleand install asmart electricity networkby 2050 at the latest.
More sustainableconsumption patterns:
The currentconsumption habitsofthe Flemingsputs great pressureon the environmentand nature.Onemajor challenge thatremains isto achieve ameaningfulbehavioural change amonggroups of consumers whountil nowhave shown few signs of being interested in environmentallyresponsible behaviour. Various thresholds have to be crossed on the road towards this objective (a combination of people's lack ofknowledge about their ownenvironmental impact, the inadequate visibility ofenvironmentally-friendly alternatives, too few resources, no time, noquestioning ofexistinghabits, ...). It is abig challenge to achieve a breakthrough and take those initiativesthat willleadto an effectivebehavioural changeamong these groups.
2)Which of the aims of the Resource Efficient Europeflagship 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.
In view ofthe challenges facingFlanders (see question 1), these four aims are of interest.
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.
Below is a list of theinitiatives taken by Flanders toimplement the resource-efficientEurope flagship initiative, selectedby type of project:
Innovation/public investment
The Flemishgovernment is working onamore focusedinnovation policy based onthemessuch as sustainablemobility, eco-innovation, green energy, etc...). Within these themes, initiatives have been launched. As regards sustainablemobility, the Flemish government has set upfiveexperimentalplatforms forelectric vehicles. Thesupportamounts to16.25million euros; many newstakeholders fromdifferentsectors (automobiles, energy, mobility) are cooperatingand more than 70partnersfrom industry, government, cities, associations,universitiesand researchcompanies are involved.
Objectives/rules
The useof waste as a source of valuable resourcesforour economyisa priorityfor the expansion ofwaste policyto asustainable materials policy. The legislativeframework for thiswasalready taking shapein 2011,with the adoption bythe VRofthe Materials Decree, whichreplaced theWaste Decree. Flanders implemented the European Waste Framework Directive in such a way that there has been an active move towardsa waste-free economy.The talk is no longer about wastebut aboutmaterial and waste. Among other things,more responsibility is givento producers andprovided that properevidence is produced, commodity statements (no more waste statements) can be given. AFlemishMaterialsProgramme has also beenintroduced.
To help combatthe causes andconsequences ofglobal warmingaFlemish Climate Policy Plan2013-2020(VKP) is currently being prepared. TheVKPwill consist of twoseparate butwell-matchedcomponents:the FlemishMitigation Planand the Flemish Adaptation Plan.
In 2013,the Flanders Mobility Plan will befinalised. TheFlanders Mobility Plan's aim is an integrated, comprehensiveandsystematic approach tomobility policywithin the guidelines sketched out bytheEuropeanTransport White Paper.
The VRaimsto place100percentsustainable government procurement contracts by 2020.A Flemishsustainableprocurementaction planhas been drawn upandapproved by the Flemishgovernment.
On theenergy efficiency front a start has been madewiththe preparation of thethirdFlemishEnergy Efficiency Action Plan(see thenewEuropean directive onenergy efficiency).
In2012, theFlemish action plan for near energy-neutralbuildings was drawn up. The action plan focusesonboth new buildings andrenovation work requiring alicence.
As part of theimplementation ofthe revisedEPBD(Energy Performance of Buildings Directive), the Energy Decree was amended so that by 1 January 2021 at the latesttheEPB requirementsfor all newbuildings had to match theEPB requirementsfornear energy-neutralbuildings andthatfrom 2019 onwardsnewgovernment buildings had to be near energy-neutral. Forexisting homes, an Energy Renovation Programme2020 has been drawn up.
Changesinfunding
Thesupport mechanismforgreen powerand CHPin Flandershas been completely revisedandhas been in force since January2013.With this reformFlanders has raised its quotatarget forgrossgreen electricity production as a share of officially certificatedelectricitydeliveriesfrom 13% to20.5%by 2020.
For years, the economicsupportpolicy has largely focused onthe greening ofthe economy (eco-efficiency scans, ecology bonuses, certificatesthat encourageinvestment in renewableenergy).
Flemishgovernment spending may also be ausefulleverfor thegreening of theeconomy. Two approaches will be used todeterminewherethe greatestpotential lies: one the one hand, themapping of 'greenable' publicspendingandgovernment (tax)instruments(studystartedinlate2012), and, on the other, thescreeningand reformofenvironmentallyharmfulsubsidies.An initiallistofpotentiallyenvironmentallyharmfulsubsidieswill be drawn upin2013.
Inthetransportsector,asmartroad chargefor lorries over 3.5 tons will be introduced by 2016, along witha road certificate forlightervehicles. From 1March2012environmentally-friendly vehicles have paid lessregistrationtax (BIV), while pollutingvehicles have paid more. So, the BIV still dependson a car's power. The new,greener BIV will becalculated on the basis of a car'senvironmentalcharacteristics:CO2 emissions, fueltypeand euronorm.
Marketconditions,environmentally-friendly productsand services
Since2012, theguarantee regulation has been extended to include a"greenguarantee". Businesses wishing to have a loan to fund energy-saving investmentscan call ona green guarantee of up to 1.5million euros. In this way the Flemish government wants to boost competitiveness by making savingsinenergy costsandreducing CO2emissions.
The governmentis currently developinginstruments to measurematerial efficiencyin businessesandencourage them to recycle as much oftheirwaste and by-products as possible.The materials scan andresiduesplatformare good examples ofsuch instruments. To promotesustainable production and consumptionfurther,Flanders will adjust andcontinueanumber ofinitiatives that havealready been launched. Businesses will thusbeencouraged to useresources more efficientlyand usethewaste and by-products they produce as much as possible.Examplesare: theecology bonus, strategicecological support, energyscans and greenguarantee. With theecology bonusthe Flemish government wantsto encouragebusinessesto invest inenvironmentally-friendly and energy-saving technologies.
For several years now,theFlemishgovernment has been carrying out energy scans in businesses withthe support of theERDF. This is an individualenergyauditat company levelfrom which anumber of energy-saving recommendations can be made for the companyto follow. In addition,eco-efficiency scans areused to promoteeco-efficiency measures at sector level.
An exploratory analysisofecosystems in Flanders was published in 2010. In 2011, anatural value survey was developed:this is atoolfor quantifying and evaluatingchanges in nature.
Other sectors: food, transport, buildings
Food
The Flemish governmenthas been considering howfood wastecan be preventedat all levels ofthe food chain and is currentlylooking at how food losscan be reducedin its own organisation.In a secondphase some ofthe possibilities detected will be investigated further(the problem of packaging, food banksand catering). This researchand the measures resulting from it will be includedin an overallroadmap ofthe Flemish government andthesectorsconcerned, with the aim of halving food lossby 2020in accordance with theEuropean objective.
Buildings
See above, the section on improvingenergy efficiency.
A Flemishbenchmark forsustainable living and building has been developed; this is an objectiveinstrumentfor private dwellings (new constructionsandrenovations)and apartment buildings.
At the instigation of theFlemish government,atransition network'sustainable building and living' has been active since 2004.
Mobility
Reference canbe made here to themobility andtransport measuresmentioned earlier, whichcan made a contribution to both the competitivenessof the economyandsustainability.
4)The Resource Efficient Europe flagship initiative recognises and promotes the interdependency of environmental, economic and social policies.
Have the policies adopted byyour 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.
General:
Achieving the objectivesFlandershassetin itsproject for the future 'Flanders in Action' ( also requiresastronglyintegrated approach. When developing measures, one shouldnot only look over the walls ofpolicyfieldsbut also consultall the social partners involved.
A concrete example:
The aim of the FlemishMaterialsProgrammeistomovetowards sustainable materials management, where account is taken of the environment, the economy andsocial policy. The programmeis a partnership betweenthegovernment, NGOs, research institutesand industry.Everyonehas an equalresponsibility to makethe programmesuccessful.Innovation, smart investing, smart regulationand a bio-basedeconomyare some of the themesthat are central tothisprogramme andcan be found againinthe manifesto oftheEREP. The various persons tracking thethemeshaveregular meetingsto monitor mutual connections andsynergiesFormore information see:
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