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Developing Joint Sustainable Strategies (SECAPs) in 348 Cypriot Local Authorities
Published on 29 November 2021
Cyprus
Kýpros
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
Local Authorities are recognized as important partners in the implementation of structural reforms and investments for accelerating the transition to a green economy. About a third of the population in Cyprus (241,584) lives in rural communities represented by 348 community councils. Rural communities consume considerable amounts of energy, corresponding to 37% of the CO2 emissions of Cyprus. Cyprus has committed to a reduction of 32% of its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 through its National Energy and Climate Plan, which will require significant action by all sectors of the economy and at all levels of governance.
Local Community Councils, however, are faced with several challenges that significantly impede their capacity to undertake sustainable energy and climate action. Increasing rates of rural to urban migration, low economic diversity, an ageing population and fewer assets have resulted in a lack of technical expertise and resources in Community Councils. As a result, community councils require technical assistance and guidance, to achieve their ambitious visions.
The project will finance the development of 32 joint SECAPs, covering 348 local authorities, which will act as a roadmap towards their 2030 sustainability targets and beyond. A SECAP comprises both climate mitigation and adaptation action and includes policies, investments and activities to promote climate neutrality and adaptation in different sectors, including private sector and businesses.
Local Community Councils, however, are faced with several challenges that significantly impede their capacity to undertake sustainable energy and climate action. Increasing rates of rural to urban migration, low economic diversity, an ageing population and fewer assets have resulted in a lack of technical expertise and resources in Community Councils. As a result, community councils require technical assistance and guidance, to achieve their ambitious visions.
The project will finance the development of 32 joint SECAPs, covering 348 local authorities, which will act as a roadmap towards their 2030 sustainability targets and beyond. A SECAP comprises both climate mitigation and adaptation action and includes policies, investments and activities to promote climate neutrality and adaptation in different sectors, including private sector and businesses.
Expert opinion
Many larger towns and cities have made commitments to reduce their CO2 emissions and to mitigate climate change in line with the decarbonisation agenda of the European Union aiming at climate-neutrality by 2050 in form of SEAPs and SECAPs over the last decades. These extremely useful local strategies usually involve target setting and local action plans coupled with monitoring and reporting methodologies. To date, only few small municipalities with limited resources have developed SECAPs. The Cypriot approach of mandating a neutral expert body such as the Energy Agency to help all small municipalities on the territory to develop thier own strategies is very promising. Using the tool of joint-SECAPs makes sense as it allows to group several adjacent municipalities together in a common planning instrument, thus bringing down the cost of coordiation and management for each participating entity while increasing the critical mass of measures.
Using the Recovery Fund for the financing of the technical support is a a good practice, too, as a strategy for energy transition is most likely going to be a prerequisite for public funding of such meaasures in the future.
Using the Recovery Fund for the financing of the technical support is a a good practice, too, as a strategy for energy transition is most likely going to be a prerequisite for public funding of such meaasures in the future.
Works at
Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform
Resources needed
The technical support for the development of the joint SECAPs will be financed by the Recovery and Resilience Facility with an estimated budget 450.000 EUR. The technical support will be provided by the Cyprus Energy Agency to the Communities with the support of the Union of Cyprus Communities.
Evidence of success
The project has already been approved by the European Commission under the Recovery and Resilience Facility aiming to increase the capacity of 348 small local authorities to implement successfully sustainable energy and climate projects.
Potential for learning or transfer
Small local authorities need substantial technical support and capacity building for the development of SECAPs, which will enable them to convert their ambitious policies and targets into a roadmap supporting the implementation of sustainable energy and climate action, reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and an increase in their resilience to climate change. All new energy and climate targets are aiming climate neutrality and with out local strategies in place this is very difficult to achieve.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Cyprus Energy Agency
Cyprus
Kýpros
Contact
Head of Climate Change & Environment Department