A great success!

In June 2007, more than 200 participants convened in Freiburg (Germany) to attend this event about the interconnection between sustainable energy and three key issues relevant to local communities:

- Climate protection
- Security of energy supply
- Sustainable local development, local resources

Freiburg Outreach

“We are ambitious enough to use 100% of our potential, not only 2/3rds. To achieve this we require and insist on national and European support”, says Freiburg’s Lord Mayor, Dr. Dieter Salomon.

Freiburg - a solar city

The dictum “Think globally – act locally” is nowhere as tangible as in municipal environmental politics. The protection of our natural living conditions, a transportation policy that is agreeable for both humans and the environment, climate protection and the use of renewable energies have been focal points of Freiburg’s municipal politics for years. They are the guarantee for an urban quality of life and a sustainable urban development. At the same time they are the local building blocks for a global eco-policy. Climate protection is a global problem for which we have to find local and regional solutions.

A municipal environmental protection policy needs many partners – partners from among the citizens, from the economy, the lobbies and the institutions. It can only be successful through good cooperation. Therefore a municipal environmental policy and the networks it entails are an important location factor. Environmental economics – first and foremost the practical use of solar energy or wind energy – is a growing part of the economical life of the city with new and interesting employment opportunities.

Dr. Dieter Salomon, Lord Mayor

Freiburg Outreach - Local Renewables empower the energy revolution

The participants of the conference adopted a final document declaring Local Renewables to be of utmost importance for local governments.

It argues that 100% sustainable energy is a reality in model communities.

It provides 8 arguments for local community leaders to use Local Renewables

It urges local governements to step up the pace on taking action.

It asks for a support framework at the national and European Union level.

Policy Background

The 2007 Spring European Council demonstrated that the EU is taking the lead in the fight against global warming. EU heads of state and government adopted an energy policy for Europe which doesn't simply aim to boost competitiveness and secure energy supply, but also aspires to save energy and promote climate-friendly energy sources. 

EU leaders set a firm target of cutting 20% of the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 - the EU will be willing to put this goal up to 30% if the US, China and India make similar commitments. EU leaders also set a binding overall goal of 20% for renewable energy sources by 2020, compared to the present 6,5%.

A binding minimum target of 10% for the share of biofuels in overall transport petrol and diesel consumption by 2020 was also set.

"We can say to the rest of the world - Europe is taking the lead. You should join us in fighting climate change", declared European Commission President José Barroso on the occasion.

Context - EU goals and strong communities

The European Climate Policy, the newly released Energy Package 2007 and the goals of the EU Sustainable Development Strategy all impact on local communities.

Develop a sound understanding from practical experiences of local governments and leading experts on how communities can pursue a sustainable, competitive and secure supply of energy.

Impacts on Local Governments

About Local Renewables

Local Renewables (LR) is a term coined by ICLEI to indicate how local governments can have a more active role in the way energy is generated, distributed and used in their communities.

With the increasing need to move towards decentralised energy provision, local authorities face various challenges and opportunities in accelerating the use of renewable energy (RE) and energy efficiency (EE) measures, also combining these with energy conservation.

History of the Local Renewables Initiative

At the International Conference for Renewable Energies 2004 in Bonn, Germany (www.renewables2004.de), ICLEI signed a cooperation agreement with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The German government accepted the project “Local Renewables Model Communities Network” as an official conference outcome.

Two documents relevant to local authorities were published at renewables 2004:
- Local Governments’ Renewables Declaration 
- Local Government Issue Paper for the Multistakeholder Dialogue of renewables 2004

Current Activities

This Local Renewables Freiburg 2007 Conference is a continuation of the activities, within the framework of ICLEI’s Local Renewables Initiative.

Why should a local government change to sustainable energy?

1. Cost effectiveness: Reduce energy demand and use energy more efficiently, thereby saving money. Consider steadily increasing prices for oil, coal, natural gas - rather use local clean resources. Minimise energy transmission and distribution costs.
2. Practical solutions: Options and expertise are available, the technology is proven, use the wide range of RE sources, use clean energy.
3. Local development: Strengthen the local economy, create sustainable development opportunities and jobs, particular in the SME sector.
4. Secure energy supply: Renewables provide diversified and decentralised local energy options. Consider the threat of terrorism and reducing potential large targets.
5. Effective CO2 reduction: Climate protection is a global priority. And local action is needed to reduce the human impact on the environment.

How to implement effective local solutions:

- Climate protection and adapting to inevitable climate change, improving community resilience.
- Security of energy supply through diversification and decentralisation.
- The optimal use of locally available energy resources.
- Transitioning to a locally sustainable energy economy.
- Improvement of local policies to increase the percentage of renewable energy.
- Community involvement.
- Framework conditions from the national and European level: low risk, high yield

Local authorities can and should play a central role in promoting sustainable energy: they have a clear mandate to guide their communities, provide services and manage municipal assets.

Change is needed to move forward in the area of sustainable energy – requiring clear strategies, effective policies and regulations, as well as well-considered implementing actions. Together with stakeholders, local authorities need to find ways to reduce local energy consumption, implement energy efficiency measures and switch to renewable energy sources. This is also important when considering how communities can support achievement of European energy targets.

Programme Details

Wednesday 13 June

Registration

Parallel Study Tours & Workshops

• Tour 1: Secure, decentralised energy supply - City of Freiburg
• Tour 2: Solar buildings and low energy districts are cool! - Freiburg Futour
• Tour 3: Business meets Renewables - solar info center
• Tour 4: Solar energy research at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) - Fraunhofer ISE
• Workshop 1: Twin towns and partner cities of Freiburg: exchange and brainstorming on cooperation projects
• Workshop 2: LETIT tool and financing sustainable energy projects - Fraunhofer ISE (Sebastian Gölz, Project Manager) and Forseo (Astrid Grell, Project Manager)
• Workshop 3: Introducing the Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) Campaign - ICLEI Europe (Ilaria De Altin, Coordinator Climate & Air)

Welcome and Opening: Local governments as key actors

• Dr. Dieter Salomon, Lord Mayor, City of Freiburg and ICLEI Executive Committee Member - Welcome and a call for action
• Gino Van Begin, Regional Director for Europe, ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability - The way forward for local authorities – a time for planning and action
• Rian van Staden, Principal Consultant, Intelligent RE - Sustainable energy impacts on security of supply, climate protection and local sustainable development

Local success stories from different European regions

• Chair: Ilaria De Altin, Climate & Air Coordinator, ICLEI Europe
• Dr. Dieter Wörner, Head of Environment Protection, City of Freiburg, Germany - SolarRegion Freiburg: Central European temperate climate zone
• Claudio Baffioni, Project Manager Roma Per Kyoto Project, City of Rome, Italy - Roma Per Kyoto - Sustainable energy in a Mediterranean climate
• Irma Karjalainen, Director Regional and Environmental Information, YTV Helsinki Metropolitan Area Council, Finland - Joint approach by cities in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area – climate protection by reducing energy consumption

Technical overview on sustainable energy options ready for implementation

• Chair: Christine Hornstein, Executive Director, International Solar Energy Society (ISES)
• Meinhard Hansen, Architekturbüro Meinhard Hansen Freiburg, Germany - Low energy buildings: reducing the need for energy
• Dr. Volker Wittwer, Deputy Director Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE), Germany - Solar thermal systems: affordable clean energy
• NN - Photovoltaics: sexy and versatile technology
• Mikkel Aarø-Hansen, Director, Agency for Environmental Protection, Denmark - Wind energy: local resource, clean energy, local profits
• Marissa Walzer, Business Consultant, Sterr-Kölln & Partner GbR, Germany  - Geothermal energy: extensive potential
• Luigi Papetti, Engineer, Italian representative of the European Small Hydropower Association (ESHA), Italy  - Small hydropower: water for energy
• Dr. Christopher Hebling, Head of Department Energy Technology, Fraunhofer ISE, Germany  - Fuel cell systems and hydrogen: now and the future
• Gabor Heves, Project Manager, Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC), Hungary - The bioenergy chain: energy for buildings, districts and vehicles

End of presentations

Reception at the "Historisches Kaufhaus" hosted by Freiburg

Thursday 14 June

Sustainable energy - a critical element in modern urban planning and management

• Chair: Dirk Aßmann, Senior Energy Advisor, GTZ-German Technical Cooperation
• Chiel Boonstra, Secretary General of the International Solar Cities Initiative (ISCI) - Combining research, technology, expertise and local action to create Solar Cities
• Astrid Schneider, Solar Architect, and representative of the EUROSOLAR e.V. Berlin-Brandenburg - Low energy district development in Berlin’s government quarter

Local energy policies, strategies and approaches, and the strategic framework needed to support action

• Chair: Ralf Bermich, Head of Climate Protection and Energy Management, City of Heidelberg
• A Sessions: 'Local Progress in Practice'
  • About A1: Francesco Bicciato, Municipality of  Padova, Italy  - Local leadership, political commitment and setting targets

• B Sessions: 'Strategic Framework - Together Tomorrow'
  
  • About B1: Emilio D'Alessio, Deputy Mayor of the City of Ancona and President of Italian Local Agenda 21 Association, Italy
     - Enabling framework conditions and support structures
  • About B2: Maryke van Staden, Project Officer Climate &  Air, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability - The role of Energy Agencies

Parallel Sessions A and B

A.1 Local leadership, political commitment and setting targets

• Moderator: Francesco Bicciato, Municipality of  Padova
• John Thorp, Managing Director, Thameswey Ltd, Woking, United Kingdom - Political consensus and a clear path of action in Woking
• Lars Ehrlén, Manager District Heating-Cooling, Växjö Energy Ltd, Sweden - Towards a fossil fuel free Växjö
• Helmut Strasser, Programme Manager, Salzburg Institute, Austria - European Energy Award: for qualification, certification and awarding of communal energy policy

B.1 Enabling framework conditions and support structures

• Moderator: Emilio D'Alessio, City of Ancona
• Tobias Kelm, Researcher, Centre for Solar Energy & Hydrogen Research (ZSW), Germany - Renewable Energy Law: stimulating investment in Germany
• Steve Waller, Principal Consultant Sustainable Communities, IDeA, UK - A national movement for climate change mitigation and adaptation: the Nottingham Declaration Action Pack
• Marieke Reijalt, Procura Project Dissemination Coordinator, Italian Hydrogen Aand Fuel Cell Association - The Procura Project-  developing a model for joint procurement of clean vehicles

B.2 The role of Energy Agencies

• Moderator: Maryke van Staden, Project Officer Climate &  Air, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability
• Tomas Kukuczka, Director, Czech RE Agency (CZREA), Czech Republic - Development, support schemes and latest achievements of RES in the Czech Republic
• Alexandra Waldmann, Berlin Energy Agency, Germany - Facilitating Energy Efficiency through Energy Services - the role of Energy Agencies
• Jamie Brown, Basel Agency for Sustainable Energy, Switzerland - The role of the Basel Agency for Sustainable Energy

Key Partnerships: Business, Research, the Public and Local Authorities

• Chair: Wolfgang Teubner, Executive Director, ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability
• A Sessions: ‘Local Progress in Practice’ (continued)
  • About A2: Sustainable buildings: a reality: Dr. Rajat Gupta, Senior Lecturer and Co-Director, Oxford Brookes University, United Kingdom
  • About A3: District energy: heating, cooling and electricity: Venelin Todorov, Deputy Mayor, Municipality of Bourgas, Bulgaria

• C Sessions: ‘Financing and Facilitating Change’
  • About C1: Contracting models and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Mark Hidson, Director Sustainable Procurement, ICLEI European Secretariat
  • About C2: Critical role of business: Uwe Ilgemann, CEO, Solarstrom AG, Germany

Parallel Sessions A and C

A2: Sustainable buildings: a reality

• Moderator: Dr. Rajat Gupta, Senior Lecturer and Co-Director, Oxford Brookes University
• Chiel Boonstra, Trecodome, The Netherlands; and Secretary General of the International Solar Cities Initiative (ISCI) - Passive Housing in Europe, low energy renovation and new housing complexes
• Philipp Tepper, Project Officer Sustainable Procurement, ICLEI Europe - Energy efficiency measures in the public building sector: the DEEP project
• Paolo Ferri, Head of Energy Department, Province of Reggio Emilia, Italy - Mediterranean example of local large-scale implementation of the European Directive on Energy Performance of Buildings

A3: District energy - heating, cooling and electricity

• Moderator: Venelin Todorov, Municipality of Bourgas
• Andreas Markowski, Director, Ökostrom Erzeugung Freiburg GmbH, Germany - Wind farms providing communities with electricity
• Luigi Papetti, Engineer, Frosio Associates, Italy - Small hydro success stories
• Lars Ehrlén, Manager District Heating-Cooling, Växjö Energy Ltd, Sweden - Polygeneration in Växjö, beneficial for all: customers, environment and energy company – Towards a fossil fuel free Växjö

C1: Contracting models vs. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)

• Moderator: Mark Hidson, ICLEI European Secretariat
• Mark Kapner, Senior Strategy Engineer,  Energy Services, City of Austin, USA - Austin’s GreenChoice: A Model for Green Pricing
• Dieter Seifried, CEO, Büro Ö-Quadrat, Germany - Performance contracting and public participation project examples: Eco_WATT school and Solarspar
• Jürgen Lange-von Kulessa, Wärmekontor Freiburg, Germany - Surface geothermal project examples

C2: The critical role of business and the public

• Moderator: Uwe Ilgemann, Solarstrom AG
• Nicole Römer, Manager, Freiburger Energie- und Solaragentur (FESA), Germany - Civil participative installations: solar and wind energy projects
• Prof. Rolf Buschmann, Manager, solar info center, Germany - Freiburg - a business development model for cities
• Anurag Mishra, Program Manager, ICLEI South Asia Secretariat, India - Renewable energy and Energy Resource Center experience at  Bhubaneswar

Forging a path to local sustainability

• Virginia Sonntag-O'Brien, REN21 Secretariat and UNEP Sustainable Energy Finance Initiative (SEFI) - International developments of RE based on REN21's Global Status Report and the UNEP/New Energy Finance Global RE Investment Report
• Jerome Baddley, Sustainable Energy Development Officer, Nottingham Energy Partnership, United Kingdom - The Meadows Ozone project – a vision for improving existing building stock

End of presentations/Cocktail and Network event

Friday 15 June

Local Authorities moving ahead

• Chair: Gino Van Begin, Regional Director for Europe, ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability
• Michael Müller, Parliamentary State Secretary of the German Federal Ministry of the Environment, Nature Protection and Nuclear Safety (BMU), Berlin, Germany  - Support framework in place: replicable aspects of the German Renewable Energy Law to support widespread implementation
• Jean-Louis Fousseret, Lord Mayor of Besançon, Member of the Association of Mayors of the  Large Cities in France  - Sustainable development in large French cities - an association of mayors guide national politics
• Monika Zimmermann, Director, ICLEI International Training Centre (ITC) - ICLEI’s Local Renewables Initiative – guiding local governments in achieving sustainable energy targets

Facing the Future: Practical approaches and capacity-building opportunities

• Chair: Carla Vollmer, Head of Renewable Energy Department, German Environmental Agency (UBA)
• D Sessions: ‘Facing the Future’: Practical approaches and capacity-building opportunities
  • D1: Sustainable energy: how to get started?: Klaus Hoppe, Head of Energy Department , City of Freiburg, Germany
  • D2: Training and capacity-building opportunities: Monika Zimmermann, Director, ICLEI ITC
  • D3: Tools for sustainable buildings – design and monitoring: Prof. Rosario Lanzafame, University of Catania, Italy and Meinhard Hansen, Architekturbüro Meinhard Hansen Freiburg, Germany
  • D4: Consider R&D results for future action: Christian Zahler, Senior Project Manager, PSE GmbH, Germany

Parallel Sessions D

D1: Sustainable energy: how to get started?

• Moderator: Klaus Hoppe, City of Freiburg
• Klaus Hoppe, City of Freiburg - Practical sustainable energy experiences of Freiburg
• Sebastian Gölz, Project Manager, Fraunhofer ISE and Adrian Hewitt, Climate Change Team Leader, London Borough of Merton, UK - The LETIT tool and municipal experiences
• Ralf Bermich, Head of Energy Department, City of Heidelberg, Germany - Municipal frameworks and structures for sustainable energy

D2: Training and capacity-building opportunities

• Moderator: Monika Zimmermann, ICLEI ITC
• Prof. Rolf Buschmann, Managing Director, EnEd - International Education Center for Energy Solutions, Germany - Essential education for long-life sustainable energy solutions
• Matteo Benetello, Technical Manager, Italian Solar Infocenter S.r.l., Italy - Craftsmen are needed
• Prof. Franz Daschner, Solar-University Freiburg, Germany  - Renewable Energy Management Programme - Solar University Freiburg
• Eigil Larsen, The Danish Outdoor Council, Denmark - Eco-School International Programme as a tool for sustainable learning

D3: Tools for sustainable buildings – design and monitoring

• Co-moderation: Prof. Rosario Lanzafame, University of Catania and Meinhard Hansen, Architekturbüro Meinhard Hansen
• Alain Guiavarch, Centre d’Energétique, Paris - Practical tools to design low energy buildings
• NN - Solar architecture training options
• Dr. Rajat Gupta, Senior Lecturer and Co-Director, Oxford Institute for Sustainable Development: Architecture, Oxford Brookes University, UK - DECoRUM tool to track energy use and carbon emissions from residential buildings

D4: Consider R&D results for future action

• Moderator: Christian Zahler, PSE GmbH - Forschung, Entwicklung, Marketing
• Prof. Gerhard Willeke, Head of Research Area Photovoltaics, Fraunhofer ISE - State-of-the-art of solar cell technologies
• Dr. Sebastian Herkel, Head of Group Solar Building, Fraunhofer ISE - Energy efficient and solar building (incl. solar cooling)
• Christian Zahler, Senior Project Manager, PSE GmbH - Concentrating Collectors for Process Heat Applications

Sustainable Energy – What are the next steps?

• Lord Mayor, Dr. Dieter Salomon - A challenge to all local authorities and their partners to move forward
• Moderator: Gino van Begin, Regional Director for Europe, ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability - Interactive conclusions with participants – addressing challenges and achieving success

Farewell by the Lord Mayor of Freiburg, Dr. Dieter Salomon

Study tours and final workshops (in parallel)

• Tour 5: Secure, decentralised energy supply --CANCELED--Organiser: City of Freiburg
• Tour 6: Solar buildings and low energy districts are cool! Organiser: Freiburg Futour (Vauban walking tour)
• Tour 7: Business meets Renewables, Organiser: solar info center
• Tour 8: Solar energy research at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE), Organiser: ISE
• Tour 9: Geothermal energy in office buildings, Organiser: Wärmekontor Freiburg
• Tour 10: Sustainable energy in surrounding areas, Organiser: Innovation tour
• Workshop 4 -Joint projects on sustainable energy with ICLEI, Organiser: ICLEI Europe (Maryke van Staden, Project Officer Climate & Air)

End of programme

Hosts and Organisers

Freiburg, the solar hub of Germany

The City of Freiburg is internationally well-known for its environmental approach and its extensive use of solar energy and other renewable sources. This award-winning city is an exemplary and qualified host for this conference.

ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability

Freiburg is also the Host City of the ICLEI European Secretariat. ICLEI Europe works with more than 180 members - local governments committed to sustainable development. Through partnership with ICLEI, Freiburg is an active participant in the Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) Campaign and the Local Renewables Initiative (LRI). These two international ICLEI activities provide the foundation of the conference and will support the dissemination of outcomes.