Welcome to the

E-learning Training Course on

Urban Sustainability & Green Economy:

Chinese and European Practices

March 21

2013 – Year of the Air in the European Union

• As a Europe-wide survey (Eurobarometer) shows, the impact of air pollution is something that European citizens feel strongly about – especially in the urban areasThe Year of Air reflects both –the economic seriousness of the problem, but also –the impacts on humans

Urban Sustainability

• Clean air is just one of the components of urban sustainability which is in strong connection with consumption and production – directly with our energy needs and energy resources.

Outcomes of the High Level Conference

• Issues of the urban environment was also mentioned during the the High-Level Conference, Beijing, December 13, 2012– Organised by EC2 and its partners, the Energy

Research Institute of the National, Development and Reform Commission (China) and the Regional Environmental Center (EU)

In the Focus

• The III Edition of the EC2 e-learning training course is addressing the topic of low carbon layout, which includes sustainable city planning ranging from building, transport and industrial sectors.

• Scope of the e-learning is to provide communities of experts a variety of tool for a green transformation in the direction of energy efficiency and sustainability.

Partners behind the programme

Regional Environmental Center (REC)• “… is an international organisation with a mission to assist in addressing

environmental issues (…)”– The REC is legally based on a charter signed by 30 countries and

the EC– Multi-stakeholder international Board– 190 staff (some 30 nationalities)– Offices in 17+ countries– 100% project based organization

• over 200 running projects• 10 – 12 million € annual turnover

– Operates in various regions:• EU Members of Central and Eastern Europe• EU Enlargement countries, candidates and potential candidates• Eastern Partnership Countries • EU27• Operation beyond the REC Country Office Network

Key Examples – Climate Change• Promotion of Sustainable Energies

– EU-China Clean Energy Center project – INTENSE

• the transfer of intelligent energy-saving measures from municipal housing • Promotion of Low Carbon Society

– LG-Action • Networking action to involve and mobilize local governments to take active part

in international climate and energy debate. – Financing Low Carbon refurbishment

• Demonstration project for removing barriers from financing low carbon refurbishment projects inc

– Regions for Sustainable Change • Explore ways to incorporate climate change in the economic and regional

development plans of 12 EU regions

Key examples – SINPHONIE

• School Indoor Pollution and Health Observatory Network in Europe (www.sinphonie.eu)1. A complex research project covering the areas

of health, environment, transport, climate change

2. It aims at improving air quality in schools and kindergartens

3. 36 environment & health institutions from 25 countries

Key Example – CIVITAS

Key Examples – Green Pack

• 2001 with the support of Toyota Motor Corporation, the REC developed a comprehensive environmental education programme in Central and Eastern Europe

• The REC and respective local partners developed a comprehensive environmental education programme special for each country.

• A multi-media environmental education curriculum kit

– Primarily intended for secondary school teachers and their students

– Focus on particular aspects of environmental protection and sustainable development

• 40.000+ teachers• 4.500.000+ students

In 18 countries…. 20 languages

Key examples – awarenessraising• Eco- Building Programme • Awareness raising project aiming at

expanding the application of ecologically sustainable building practices both for retrofitting of existing buildings and in new construction

• Examples for Eco-friendly building initiatives:– Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of

Sustainable Development and Tourism, in Podgorica

– Projects in Shanghai, Beijing and Tianjian, including the Sino- Italian Centre for Environment and Energy

• Using the latest in environmentally friendly building technology, materials and design

Building on cooperation…

• There is a need from both China and Europe to gain a better understanding of each other’s overall energy needs, energy saving strategies and the impact of energy policies at global governance level.

Let me express my gratitude to the organizing teams – especially for the

excellent support of our partners in China!

On behalf of the REC team I wish you a successful e-learning course in China and in

Europe as well!