xl
and a number of actors to be held together, both in terms of top-down and
bottom-up.
State of the art “climate protection planning” in Europe is far from consistent.
Each country is characterized by a national indication (national mitigation and/or
adaptation plans and strategies), and the presence of local initiatives in terms of
climate plans and local authority tools or networks. The latter’s status varies widely
from case to case and only a few local authorities have introduced adaptation, mitigation and energy efficiency strategies in the existing territorial planning systems.
Although a growing part of the scientific community (Betsill and Bulkeley 2006;
Biesbroek et al. 2009; Musco 2010), together with international institutions’
research and policies (IPCC; EEA; EU White Paper, EC), recognizes the role that
territorial planning can play in addressing both the causes and consequences of climate change, the explicit translation of CC-problems into territorial policy measures and actual management is far from being reached.
In 2006 the publication of the Green Paper on Energy, “An European Strategy for
Sustainable, Competitive and Secure Energy” raised the issue of energy efficiency
and exploitation of renewable energy sources. This tool was followed in 2007 by the
proposal of an action plan for energy efficiency (2007–2012) and a SET Plan
(Strategic Energy Technology Plan). With the so-called Climate and Energy package, the EU has finally set a solid and binding goal for the member countries: 20 %
reduction in their greenhouse gas emissions (measured in CO 2 equivalent) by 2020
compared to 1990 levels, reduction in energy consumption by 20 % compared to a
“business as usual” scenario and production of energy from renewable sources
accounting for 20 % of final energy consumption. 2020 is not however a suitable
timeframe for the resolution of problems related to the impacts of climate change.
For this reason, the European Commission has already begun to explore the different scenarios ahead for post-2020. With the communication of 8th March 2011 (“A
Roadmap for moving to a competitive low carbon economy in 2050”), the
Commission states that this transition goes through stages involving a reduction of
greenhouse gas emissions by 25 % by 2020, 40 % by 2030, 60 % by 2040 and 80 %
by 2050 compared with 1990, thus surpassing the target set by the same package.
Although the implementation of policies and action plans is highly dependent on
the national context and the various modes of urban governance, there are an
increasing amount of experiences, programmes and projects that connect directly
the local level, for the European Community, to the creation of new networks
(Covenant of Mayors, GRaBS) or are based on already existing relations (Agenda
21, ICLEI, C40).
On this basis, local, regional and sometimes national authorities have begun to
define, in many cases on an experimental basis, a series of plans aimed at protecting
the areas from the effects of climate change.
Planning and Climate Change: Concepts, Approaches, Design
and a number of actors to be held together, both in terms of top-down and
bottom-up.
State of the art “climate protection planning” in Europe is far from consistent.
Each country is characterized by a national indication (national mitigation and/or
adaptation plans and strategies), and the presence of local initiatives in terms of
climate plans and local authority tools or networks. The latter’s status varies widely
from case to case and only a few local authorities have introduced adaptation, mitigation and energy efficiency strategies in the existing territorial planning systems.
Although a growing part of the scientific community (Betsill and Bulkeley 2006;
Biesbroek et al. 2009; Musco 2010), together with international institutions’
research and policies (IPCC; EEA; EU White Paper, EC), recognizes the role that
territorial planning can play in addressing both the causes and consequences of climate change, the explicit translation of CC-problems into territorial policy measures and actual management is far from being reached.
In 2006 the publication of the Green Paper on Energy, “An European Strategy for
Sustainable, Competitive and Secure Energy” raised the issue of energy efficiency
and exploitation of renewable energy sources. This tool was followed in 2007 by the
proposal of an action plan for energy efficiency (2007–2012) and a SET Plan
(Strategic Energy Technology Plan). With the so-called Climate and Energy package, the EU has finally set a solid and binding goal for the member countries: 20 %
reduction in their greenhouse gas emissions (measured in CO 2 equivalent) by 2020
compared to 1990 levels, reduction in energy consumption by 20 % compared to a
“business as usual” scenario and production of energy from renewable sources
accounting for 20 % of final energy consumption. 2020 is not however a suitable
timeframe for the resolution of problems related to the impacts of climate change.
For this reason, the European Commission has already begun to explore the different scenarios ahead for post-2020. With the communication of 8th March 2011 (“A
Roadmap for moving to a competitive low carbon economy in 2050”), the
Commission states that this transition goes through stages involving a reduction of
greenhouse gas emissions by 25 % by 2020, 40 % by 2030, 60 % by 2040 and 80 %
by 2050 compared with 1990, thus surpassing the target set by the same package.
Although the implementation of policies and action plans is highly dependent on
the national context and the various modes of urban governance, there are an
increasing amount of experiences, programmes and projects that connect directly
the local level, for the European Community, to the creation of new networks
(Covenant of Mayors, GRaBS) or are based on already existing relations (Agenda
21, ICLEI, C40).
On this basis, local, regional and sometimes national authorities have begun to
define, in many cases on an experimental basis, a series of plans aimed at protecting
the areas from the effects of climate change.
Planning and Climate Change: Concepts, Approaches, Design