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M. Klavins
restructuring of the energy system has occurred, as indicated by a significant reduction in energy use in the most consuming production branches. This was possible
due to a major restructuring of the entire production system, major increase in the
use of renewable energy sources (a target of 40% of renewable energy sources by
2020 is realistic), as well as improved energy production and saving technologies
(Rasmussen 2003). Diversification of energy sources (previously relying largely on
imported fossil fuels and imported electricity), attainment of energy independence
and strengthening of the national economy by increasing the production of biomass
energy and biofuels, and applying advanced energy production and saving technologies all play the key role in this process (Rasmussen 2003). In the energy sector,
transformation of the production and consumption system is driven by national
actors, considering both the national interests and international processes, most
importantly—the requirement to implement Directive 2006/32/EC of the European
Parliament and of the Council on energy end-use efficiency and energy services
(EPC 2006). Concerted actions of all actors involved in the governance of the energy
production and consumption system, with the public support, ensure transformation
of the energy sector and the implementation of a sustainable energy policy at national
and sub-sectoral levels (Blumberga et al. 2014).
On another note, there are evident problems in the governance of sustainable
development in Latvia. One of the most problematic aspects, as indicated by several
surveys, is a lack of knowledge about sustainable development both in society and
among stakeholders (Klavins and Pelnena 2010). Since sustainable development is
a general concept that must be adapted to specific local social, cultural and political
conditions, and must be apprehensible and acceptable to a wider public, education on
sustainability issues is one of the key factors in promoting integration of the concept
into policies and everyday life. Although there is a political commitment to achieving
the integration of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) into the national
educational system, the real progress is insignificant (Klavins and Pelnena 2010), and
sustainable development issues are minimally considered in the education process.
Nevertheless, integration of sustainability topics into the educational system can be
considered to be a major direction of activity for the mainstreaming of sustainable
development.
Among other factors hindering the integration of the concept of sustainable development into governance processes is the maturity of the governance system itself,
and a number of other associated obstacles. This includes most importantly the
cooperation of practices and political habits (mitigating tensions among groups with
different political interests, political parties, and groups of stakeholders). Governance
for sustainable development requires active cooperation among different sectors, and
unwillingness to cooperate is the weakest element in the governance system (Zilans
2013).
On the local/municipal level, it has been demonstrated that (besides limited knowledge about sustainable development among municipal development planners and
decision-makers) deficiencies in policy integration, intersectoral cooperation, municipality and stakeholder cooperation and urban management practices constitute the
major reason for weak support of sustainable development in governance practice
M. Klavins
restructuring of the energy system has occurred, as indicated by a significant reduction in energy use in the most consuming production branches. This was possible
due to a major restructuring of the entire production system, major increase in the
use of renewable energy sources (a target of 40% of renewable energy sources by
2020 is realistic), as well as improved energy production and saving technologies
(Rasmussen 2003). Diversification of energy sources (previously relying largely on
imported fossil fuels and imported electricity), attainment of energy independence
and strengthening of the national economy by increasing the production of biomass
energy and biofuels, and applying advanced energy production and saving technologies all play the key role in this process (Rasmussen 2003). In the energy sector,
transformation of the production and consumption system is driven by national
actors, considering both the national interests and international processes, most
importantly—the requirement to implement Directive 2006/32/EC of the European
Parliament and of the Council on energy end-use efficiency and energy services
(EPC 2006). Concerted actions of all actors involved in the governance of the energy
production and consumption system, with the public support, ensure transformation
of the energy sector and the implementation of a sustainable energy policy at national
and sub-sectoral levels (Blumberga et al. 2014).
On another note, there are evident problems in the governance of sustainable
development in Latvia. One of the most problematic aspects, as indicated by several
surveys, is a lack of knowledge about sustainable development both in society and
among stakeholders (Klavins and Pelnena 2010). Since sustainable development is
a general concept that must be adapted to specific local social, cultural and political
conditions, and must be apprehensible and acceptable to a wider public, education on
sustainability issues is one of the key factors in promoting integration of the concept
into policies and everyday life. Although there is a political commitment to achieving
the integration of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) into the national
educational system, the real progress is insignificant (Klavins and Pelnena 2010), and
sustainable development issues are minimally considered in the education process.
Nevertheless, integration of sustainability topics into the educational system can be
considered to be a major direction of activity for the mainstreaming of sustainable
development.
Among other factors hindering the integration of the concept of sustainable development into governance processes is the maturity of the governance system itself,
and a number of other associated obstacles. This includes most importantly the
cooperation of practices and political habits (mitigating tensions among groups with
different political interests, political parties, and groups of stakeholders). Governance
for sustainable development requires active cooperation among different sectors, and
unwillingness to cooperate is the weakest element in the governance system (Zilans
2013).
On the local/municipal level, it has been demonstrated that (besides limited knowledge about sustainable development among municipal development planners and
decision-makers) deficiencies in policy integration, intersectoral cooperation, municipality and stakeholder cooperation and urban management practices constitute the
major reason for weak support of sustainable development in governance practice