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: / Lisbon Europe 2020task forceContact details:
(address, telephone, email) / Campo Grande, 25 – 7ºB
1799-099 Lisbon
Tel.: +351 217 988 659
On behalf of:
(name of local or regional authority) / Lisbon City Council
Type of organisation / City/Town/Municipality Region
County/Province Association of local and/or regional authorities
Other (please specify)
Country: / Portugal
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-termroadmaps 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:
- Encouraging innovation and accelerating public and private investment in resource-efficient technologies, systems and skills, as well as SMEs;
- 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.
- Abolishing environmentally harmful subsidies and shifting the tax burden away from jobs to encourage resource-efficiency;
- 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;
- Integrating wider policy areas, such as in the fields of transport, food, water and construction.
- 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 moreefficient 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.
Xmore efficient use of resources
☐shift towards a low carbon economy
Xenergy efficiency and use of renewable energy sources
Xmodernisation of the transport sector
☐change in producers' and consumers' behaviour
Please explain.
Resource efficiency, particularly reuse of treated waste water forsecondary purposes suchasirrigating green spaces, washing public places and firefighting systemsstill uses a very high percentage of drinking water. Energy efficiency and use of renewable energiesare a notable opportunity in the European Union, given that it will be possible to meet a total of around 40% of Lisbon's electricity needs from solar technologies (Solar Action Plan for Lisbon) and that 4 767 buildings are classified as condemned under national law (PDM, REOT, 2009), likely to beregenerated using construction methods that are more sustainable from all perspectives, particularly in terms of energy efficiency, reuse of grey water and reuse of construction waste.
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.
XBoost economic performance while reducing resource use
XIdentify 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
XFight against climate change and limit the environmental impacts of resource use
Please explain.
The existence of 4 767 buildings classified as condemned under national law (PDM, REOT, 2009), most of them likely to be regenerated using methods that are more sustainable, particularly in terms of energy efficiency, reuse of grey water and construction waste, but also in terms of accessibility and seismic resistance, is an opportunity to diversify the civil construction sector, the economic sector in Portugal that has traditionally contributed the most to GDP and jobs, currently in deep recession, ensuring a boost for economic activity and research in terms of new construction techniques and materials along with improving the standard of living and the urban environment, repopulating the city and reducing commuting, by means ofregeneration of buildings and physical, environmental, social and economic regeneration of rundown/abandoned areas.
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.
Xlow-carbon, resource-efficient transport
Xlow-carbon, resource efficient energy systems
Xsustainable consumption and production
☐zero-waste economy
☐efficient use of raw materials (minerals, forests and biomass)
Xbiodiversity, ecosystem services and land use
Please explain.
Low-carbon transport– In the revision of the Lisbon Urban Master Plan (2012-2022), a chapter on Mobility and transport was envisaged, using principles and designing a system of low-carbon mobility, at the same time as a new urban parking regulation, favouring use of public transport and selectively penalising use of individual transport. At the same time, in the context of the transposition of the European Air Quality Directive, low-emission zones (ZER) were regulated and implemented, along with 30km/hr zones in residential areas, with measures to reduce traffic. Lisbon has around 400 recharging points for electric vehicles in operation, and is the first European capital to have a refuelling network. Described as a pioneering city in this area, it leads the EVUE (Electric Vehicles in Urban Europe) project, and in June 2011 hosted the summit of European local authorities on electric mobility. Lastly, the City Council has reduced its fleet of cars, while exchanging diesel vehicles for new electric and natural gas vehicles. Finally, it invested in planning, designing and building a cycle network, already around 80 km long, linking up with the Municipal Ecological Structure.
Low-carbon, resource-efficient energy systems – the Solar Action Plan for Lisbon was drawn up, included in the Lisbon Energy-Environment Strategy, already launched with the production of a solar potential roadmap for Lisbon covering the period 2010 to 2020, seeking to promote thermal solar potential, particularly for heating water and exploring innovative methods of supplying micro-energy production systems in existing and future buildings, by means of renewable energy technologies and reducing CO2 emissions by over 20% by 2020, in the knowledge that it will be possible to meet a total of 40% of Lisbon's electricity needs with solar technologies.
Sustainable consumption and production – TheLisbon Urban Master Plan (2012-2022) regulates green areas for recreation and production, which are part of the Integrated Municipal Ecological Structure, providing in particular for urban gardens. Taking advantage of this regulation, large investments in urban gardens were planned and are being implemented, not just for leisure activities but above all for production activities of high social importance, addressing the socio-geographical asymmetries in the city of Lisbon, which have been exacerbated by European and national austerity policies.
Biodiversity, ecosystem services and land use –As part of the Lisbon 2020 biodiversity project the technical document including the results of the work of the task force on Biodiversity in the city of Lisbon: a strategy for 2020 was published. It included the following components: city profile; characterisation of biodiversity in Lisbon; a proposal for a strategy and a set of indicators.
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.
On 3 December 2008 Lisbon City Council (LCC) adopted at its council meeting an Energy-Environment Strategy for Lisbon, which includes among the "political commitments to be met by Lisbon City Council" "compliance with the Covenant of Mayors", which Lisbon was one of the first to sign. Subsequently, the Action plan for the energy sustainability of Lisbon was drawn up, in the framework of theEnergy-Environment Strategy for Lisbon and covering the sectors identified therein, and so the measures included have already been approved, when the Strategy for LCC was adopted. The plan, which is in line with the Energy-Environment Strategy for Lisbon, presents measures with a view to reducing primary energy consumption by increasing energy efficiency and renewable energies whileat the same time reducing CO2 emissions. As regards emissions accounting the strategy is broader, as it considers emissions produced by the municipality rather than just those produced within its geographical borders. At the same time, the Lisbon strategic plan (2010-2024) was adopted, including the main thrust of the Energy-Environment Strategy for Lisbon, and both were revised by the Urban Master Plan, which started to be reviewed in 2007 and entered into force in 2012 for a period of 10 years, integrating the urban development strategy for the city not just with the environmental dimension but also with the economic, social, cultural and urban-planning dimensions. In coordination with the drafting of this public policy instrument, studies were conducted leading to internal restructuring of the council's services to make the administration more transparent, effective and efficient, alongside reform of the cities' administration, which had not been carried out since 1959, allowing a transition to a new model of governance and management of the city that is closer to the people and investment-friendly, planned and scheduled in accordance with the electoral calendar.Timely, transparent, participatory drafting of these public policy instruments has enabled measures and actions to be implemented coherently in a well-planned way, while the financial restructuring of the council was being carried out – it's net indebtedness is currently about zero – re-establishing its capacity to borrow up to the legal maximum, which will secure public investment capacity to supplement EU funding for the forthcoming 2014-2020 period.
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 ☐ Highlyfeasible X Fairly feasible ☐ Not feasible
20% RES X Highly feasible ☐ Fairly feasible ☐ Not feasible
20% EE ☐ Highly feasible X Fairly feasible ☐ Not feasible
Please explain.
In view of the policies and measures provided for, listed in the previous points, particularly in the Action plan for the energy sustainability of Lisbon.
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 expandingthe 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?
X Biodiversity and land use
X Waste management
X Water management
☐ Air pollution
☐ Others
Please explain.
Yes, it is useful. Lisbon will be able to consider the possibility of expanding to other fields, depending on the financial ability to carry out the necessary measures to achieve the agreed goals.
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 X Not appropriate
Buildings ☐ Highly appropriate X Fairly appropriate ☐ Not appropriate
Mobility ☐ Highly appropriate X Fairly appropriate ☐ Not appropriate
Please explain.
In line with the Energy-Environment Strategy for Lisbon, pursuing a yearly rate of reduction of primary energy consumption of 1.85% per year until 2013 will go hand in hand with a corresponding rate of reduction of CO2 emissions, which, as it will continue beyond 2013, will allow the 20% goal for reducing emissions and energy consumption to be exceeded by 2020. As stated in the Energy-Environment Strategy for Lisbon, "Lisbon City Council clearly makes a political commitment to ensure that the municipality exceeds the national objectives by 2015 (and the European objectives by 2020), provided that development continues after 2013 at the same rates as before", and there is no change to the national and EU frameworks governing these rates of development. It should be stressed that 2013 is an intermediate date, as 2013 marks the end of the term of office of the City Council that made the commitments set out in the strategy adopted. Under the present Action plan for the energy sustainability of Lisbon, a yearly reduction rate is established for each sector (meaning reduction of primary energy consumption to be achieved in relation to the sector's consumption: transport 1.49% per year and residential and buildings and services 2.10% per year.
How is the Resource Efficient Europe relevant to your city or region?