Info Spring 2008

Focus on Renewable Energies: Heating and Cooling

Making use of renewable energy sources to meet our heating and cooling energy needs has enormous potential for reducing the environmental impact of energy consumption and our energy dependency, through the use of locally-produced energy. Examples of promising technologies using solar and bio-mass are presented, as results of the ProEcoPolyNet project.

Christine Lins, EREC Secretary-General, talks about the European Commission’s recent proposal for a directive, which for the first time would provide a legal framework for heating and cooling from renewable energy sources.

European Regions have a crucial role to play in this regard, as highlighted by Danita Hübner, EU Commissionner for Regional Policy and Luc Van den Brande, President of the Committee of the Regions, in their respective statements. FEDARENE is ready to take up this challenge!

Fedarene Info in English - Fedarene Info in French is under preparation

Info Winter 2007-2008

Focus on National Energy Efficiency Action Plans: the role of the regions - N°34

As the European Commission is about to issue its first communication on the National Energy Efficiency Action Plans - although not all of the plans have yet been submitted - FEDARENE is focusing on the role that regions could, and should play in this process. Even though the regions in general have hardly been consulted in the process of developing these plans, Ireland and Catalonia have demonstrated how much the regions can contribute to achieving national targets. MEP Fiona Hall, rapporteur of the European Parliament on the European Action Plan for Energy Efficiency, tells us more about the process and its future.

Fedarene Info in English - Fedarene Info in French

info summer 2007
Focus on Eco-buildings - N°33
The aim of the Ecobuilding concept is to provide comfortable life standards in buildings without heating. Suitable and environmentally friendly technologies can be used to provide low-consumption buildings. Many projects show that the passive house construction standard can be achieved all over Europe. Fast and O.Ö. Energiesparverband, both Fedarene members, are leading such ecobuilding projects. Bill Dunster, the architect who designed the famous "Bedzed" project, one of the first eco-communities, talks about his experience.
Fedarene Info in English - Fedarene Info in French

info Winter 2007
Focus on Greenhouse Gas Observatories - N° 32
Due to their regional implantation, greenhouse gas observatories allow for better understanding of local territories and therefore help to better define appropriate actions to be taken to reduce GHG emissions. The Midi-Pyrenees Agency showcases its observatory and its mission.
Michel Delebarre, as President of the Committee of the Regions and Deputy-Mayor of Dunkirk, explains the importance of local and regional levels in regards to environmental and energy policy.
In this issue you can also read articles about the EU projects “Move” and “Road of Energy”.
Fedarene Info in English - Fedarene Info in French
 

info Automn 2006
Focus on Education on Energy - N° 31
Ambitious targets and objectives for energy use reduction have been set for 2020. Each one of us should be involved in actions to reduce energy consumption to get the chance to reach the set targets.
Education on energy can have a strong role and impact on children and young people. Some Fedarene members, Severn Wye, the Walloon Region and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, have developed projects with schools.
Teachers as well have their own European network (AEDE). Its Secretary General here presents the network's activities and expectations towards Europe.
Fedarene Info in English - Fedarene Info in French
 

info Summer 2006
Focus on Heating and cooling from RES - N° 30
Simultaneous or successive heating and cooling production is the preoccupation of EVE (Basque Energy Agency) and Energikontor Sydost (Energy Agency for Southeast Sweden), two Fedarene members. They both here present their projects.
RES heating and cooling has up to now received less political consideration than RES-e. The MEP Mechtild Rothe presented an Initiative that will push forward the EC to come with a legislative proposal on this matter. In the interview, she delivers her impressions.
Fedarene also publishes its position on the Green paper "A European Strategy for Sustainable, Competitive and Secure Energy".
Fedarene Info in English - Fedarene Info in French
 

info Spring 2006
Focus on RES-electricity - N° 29
Many activities implemented by Fedarene members show us examples of electricity production from renewables. Copenhagen, Rhône-Alpes and Saarland are three agencies active in that sector and present their project here. Fedarene also spoke with M. Matthias Ruete, the new Director General of the DG Transport and Energy about his views on energy policy. O.Ö. Energiesparverband and Fedarene launch a Declaration - "European Regions for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Sources" to show the commitment of regions for energy efficiency and renewable energies.
Fedarene Info in English - Fedarene Info in French.
 

info Automn 2005
Focus on Transport and Mobility - N°28
Promoting greener modes of travel (such as walking and cycling), encouraging the use of public transport, developing intermodality and increasing the use of biofuels to reduce CO2 emissions, are the crucial challenges for the next few years. Some initiatives in the transport and mobility sectors have already been implemented by regional energy and environment agencies. Three of these - Arpe Midi-Pyrénées, Arene Ile de France and Nenet Norbotten - gave a presentation of their project. Fedarene spoke with M. González Finat, Director of DG Transport about current and forthcoming European policies.
Fedarene Info in English - Fedarene Info in French
 

info Summer 2005
Focus on The future of energy and environment policies- N° 27
In view of Fedarene's 15th anniversary, a genuine demonstration of the milestone reached by regional and local energy and environment agencies, nine personalities have been invited to reflect on the direction that the EU and different players should undertake to improve the current situation of energy management and environmental protection. Regional and local energy and environment agencies intend to play an active role in the development of these future policies.
Fedarene Info in English - Fedarene Info in French
 

info Spring 2005
Focus on Energy end-use efficiency and energy services - N° 26
In order to increase energy savings and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy dependency, the Commission proposes a Directive that counts on the promotion of energy end-use efficiency and energy services. Mechtild Rothe, Member of the European Parliament, comments as rapporteur the amended version of the Directive.
From their side, three members of Fedarene, Berliner Energieagentur, Tipperary Energy Agency and SODEAN, the Energy Agency of Andalusia outline how they are contributing to the development of the energy services and are involved in the implementation of energy efficiency in the public building sector and sometimes in unexpected places.
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info Autumn 2004
Focus on Security of energy supply and infrastructure investment - N° 25
The recent "blackouts" suffered both in the northern and southern countries of Europe have re-launched the debate on security of energy supply and infrastructure investment. In this edition, Roger Léron, the President of Fedarene, offers some reflections on demand management and energy production. Two regions, Central Finland and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, here expose their plans for energy economy. Mr. Marc Deprez, Counsellor and Head of the Energy Policy Division for the Belgian Federal Energy Administration, explains the
options taken in this area.
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info  Summer 2004
Focus on Renewable Energies within the International Cooperation - N° 24
International co-operation represents a key-element in the development of renewable sources of energy. In addition to protecting the environment, such developments offer new economic, social and cultural prospects both in northern and southern countries. Convinced by this idea, several members of Fedarene set up partnerships with regions such as those of the Galapagos Islands, China and Kikimi in the Democratic Republic of Congo. On the eve of the Bonn Conference, "Renewables 2004", Osman Benchikh, responsible for renewable energies in UNESCO, reviews the main benefits of international co-operation
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info Spring 2004
Focus on Climate change and energy consumption - N° 23
The core tasks in the run-up to the implementation of the EU-wide greenhouse gas allowance-trading scheme is the elaboration of national allocation plans. A couple of weeks before the first deadline for current Member States, three Fedarene members sum up the situation in their region or country (Italy, Wallonia and Nord-Pas de Calais). In the interview, Professor McGlade, the executive director of the European Environment Agency gives outline on the evolution of the Kyoto Protocol and the implementation of the Emissions Trading Market in Europe.
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info Winter 2003
Focus on Renewable Energies - N° 22
Many projects in renewable energies are initiated by regional energy and environment agencies. Three Fedarene members present their experiences in different sectors such as wind, solar or biomass. In the interview, M. Trittin, the German Federal Minister of Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety explains why he is a strong defender of renewable energies and gives an overview of his policy.
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info Autumn 2003
Focus on Enlargement - N° 21
Given their close contact to both users and political decision-makers, local and regional energy and environment agencies can play an important role in the transformation of the candidate countries. Three Fedarene members from this region present their activities in this Fedarene Info. In the interview, Christiane Breznik gives an overview on the Interreg III C initiative of the European Union. Ms. Breznik is representative of the City of Vienna and responsible for the region East of the Interreg III C programme. 
Fedarene Info in English - Fedarene Info in German
 

info Summer 2003
Focus on Agenda 21 - N° 20
The Regional Energy And Environmental Agencies are active players in the setting up of local sustainable development programmes. Several members of the FEDARENE are supporting, alone or in partnership, Local Agenda 21 projects. Here, they share their experiences with you. Catherine Day, Director-General of the Environment DG, presents the broad outline of the European policy impacting local communities.
Fedarene Info in English - Fedarene Info in French

info Spring 2002 
Focus on Climate Change - N° 19
From international to local level, the fight against climate change is a challenge for all institutions and/or organisations, a lot of measures are already being implemented in the European Union, but we’re still at thebeginning of a long process.Fedarene Info interviewed the Minister of the Walloon Government for Transport, Mobility and Energy, José Daras on his views on European Climate Change Policies.
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info December 2000
Focus on Climate Change - N° 18
Since the beginning of the industrial age we have observed a consistent - and ever more rapid - increase in carbon dioxide and other gas emissions.This phenomenon is accelerating by between 0.5% and 1% a year and is responsible for the greenhouse effect and global warming of the planet’s climate. By their actions in the field to reduce energy consumption and develop renewable energy at local level, regional energy and environmental agencies are contributing everyday to the struggle against climate change. Mr Larsson, the Swedish Minister for the Environment, outlines the priorities of the Swedish Presidency of the European Union.
Fedarene Info in English - Fedarene Info in Français  - Fedarene Info in Italiano
 

info September 2000
Focus ON 10 Years ! - N° 17
FEDARENE is celebrating its 10th anniversary… 10 years of working for the regions in the field of energy management and environment protection. The role of the regional and local actors in building Europe and in helping to meet international commitments is widely recognised today; Michel Barnier, European Commissioner  for Regional Policy, emphasises this grass-roots approach. However, the decentralisation process is still facing barriers and the Regions often lack support for carrying out their ideas.
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info June 2000 
Focus on The Promotion of Renewable Energy - N° 16
To double the share of renewable energy sources in European energy consumption between now and the year 2010 is a commendable objective. But more is needed than just a simple statement… Decisions will have to be taken at all levels, and genuine political motivation or even mandatory policies required, if we want to guarantee the success of such energy sources. Loyola de Palacio, Vice-president of the European Commission, provides details and justifies her proposed directive on "green electricity". From their side, members of FEDARENE outline how they are contributing in the promotion of renewable energy through their regional actions.
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info March 2000 
Focus on Air quality - N° 15
Air quality has been high on the European Union agenda for several years, but only relating to CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions. Now, European law is looking at lowering the emission ceilings of other atmospheric pollutants. FEDARENE info asked the Commissioner for the Environment, Ms Margot Wallström to comment on her initiatives for fighting air pollution and climate change in order to improve our quality of life.Many Regions have already taken some steps towards controlling air pollution; they nowwish to go a step further.
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