EmpowerClimate

Municipalities lack knowledge, capacity and overall support helping them with the design and implementation of effective CEM. Besides, municipalities account for a large share of GHG emissions and establishing municipal CEM systems is an effective tool in reducing their energy consumption, as they include the deployment of new technologies and renewable energy sources. Thus, they effectively contribute to a large-scale reduction of emissions.

The project enabled municipalities to become active participants in fighting the climate crisis by strengthening knowledge about climate change and environmental, social and economic challenges and opportunities arising from climate actions. The establishment of CEM is an effective tool in this regard as it offers a structured framework for monitoring and improving municipal energy performance and efficiency.

The project followed a threefold approach. First, it prepared and conducted training programmes, whereby 16 new climate and energy managers were certified in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Second, it established CEM systems in three Czech and three Slovak municipalities. The project supported the municipalities in the systems’ maintenance and in the deployment of renewable energy sources. Third, it established the “Climate and Energy Management Network”. Through the network, municipalities shared their experiences and helped each other to implement climate and energy measures.

Aside from organizing two training programmes (in the Czech Republic and Slovakia), a study trip for Czech and Slovak participants to German best-practice municipalities and a peer-review event inviting experienced German climate and energy managers to help Czech and Slovak municipalities implement climate and energy management in their daily agenda were organised. Through these means, the network connects municipalities in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Germany.

• Developing and delivering a Climate and Energy Capacity Training Programme in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, certifying 16 new climate and energy managers in 16 workshops with numerous supporting materials, including an E-Book (in Czech and Slovak). 
• Establishment of Climate and Energy Management Network with more than 15 institutions, including networking via a study trip to Germany and a Peer Review event in Brno. 
• 6 municipalities (3 in Slovakia, 3 in the Czech Republic) implement Climate and Energy management and each developed a Climate and Energy Action Plan via bottom-up approaches as a conceptual document that complements and builds on other city strategic documents.