Urban energy planning, legislation and finance
The ensemble of energy planning, legislation and finance is necessary for the systematic transfer of political ideas and agendas into urban reality. Without these three elements (in conjunction) no policy implementation and no sustainable development will be possible in our cities. The trinity of energy planning, legislation and finance for cities and towns is referred to as "Urban Energy Management".
Our initiatives:
- Development of urban energy strategies, with regional reference to Latin America, South East Asia, and Africa.
- Formulation and adoption of energy efficiency codes for buildings.
- Setting up appropriate financial instruments and mechanism for the implementation of sustainable energy use in buildings, including energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies.
- Technical assistance with regards to feed-in tariff design.
Energy access in urban areas
We promote expanding access to affordable and clean energy in human settlements. Improving urban energy services is directly linked to economic development, livelihood creation and improved living conditions, as it encourages lighting for schools, functioning health clinics, water pumps and sanitation, cleaner indoor air, faster food-processing and more income-generating opportunities, among others.
Our initiatives:
- Participation in the United Nations international Campaign on "Sustainable Energy for All" and advocacy for the need of the urban poor to have access to energy.
- Development of energy projects and policy papers.
- Establishment of the Global Energy Network for Urban Settlements (GENUS).
- Development of multi-functional Clean Energy Centres, i.e. service centres for urban basic services, including energy, water and sanitation.
- The development of urban energy corridors, an approach linking energy access and urban development along regional development axes.
Energy efficiency in the built environment
Energy efficiency does not mean that we should reduce or sacrifice our standards of living. On the contrary, improved energy efficiency allow us to reduce our energy consumption as well as to minimize energy wastage, while maintaining or improving our standard of living at the same time.
Our initiatives:
- Promotion of green building design and awareness raising in Africa: EEBEA website
- Energy efficiency data collection and benchmarking in the building sector.
- Capacity building in energy efficiency and best practices in the building sector.
- Mainstreaming energy efficient measures in housing policies, building codes, building finance and practices.
Renewable energy in urban areas
Renewable energy is the future. In the course of the 21st century renewable energies are an inevitable reality in overcoming both, the imminent threat of climate change and the existing energy crisis.
Our initiatives:
- Pilot renewable energy projects to enhance water and sanitation.
- Promoting biogas in prisons and public institutions.
- The development of multi-functional Clean Energy Centres, including a multitude of renewable energy technologies.
- Developing a series of best-practice case books and technology road maps for renewable energy use in human settlements.
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