{"id":2401,"date":"2022-05-06T10:56:05","date_gmt":"2022-05-06T08:56:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/transitionstories.be\/nieuwsupdate-transition-stories-helpt-vlaanderen-in-te-zetten-op-energetische-woningrenovatie-via-one-stop-shop-2\/"},"modified":"2024-06-11T10:39:35","modified_gmt":"2024-06-11T08:39:35","slug":"the-importance-of-quality-management-for-climate-policy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/transitionstories.be\/en\/the-importance-of-quality-management-for-climate-policy\/","title":{"rendered":"The importance of quality management for climate policy"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n
As part of the European-funded project IMPLEMENT, Bond Beter Leefmilieu guided six Flemish cities and municipalities over the past four years. As part of this, Transition Stories supported the evaluation and audit of the climate policy of these local authorities to obtain the European Energy Award certificate. <\/span><\/h5>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

Local climate policy in Flanders<\/h4>\n

The ambition of the Mayor’s Covenant 2020 is to save 20% CO2 over the period between 2011 and 2020. However, little has happened in terms of evolution in local energy and climate plans over the past 10 years. Only 15 out of 300 Flemish cities and municipalities are on track to effectively achieve this target. Indeed, 50 cities and municipalities are now emitting more than in 2011. The remaining cities and municipalities do realise a decrease, but it is not strong enough to achieve the 20% CO2 reduction target.<\/p>\n

We see savings in all local governments in the areas of households and public lighting. In particular, emptying provides savings of up to 70%. The share of households comes to an average saving of 10%. This is mainly due to the fact that several local governments have experienced strong growth in population in recent years. In addition, we are also starting to see the positive effects of energy efficiency policies and premium policies. So a good report for existing households and public lighting but things can and will have to improve.<\/p>\n

In the agricultural and industrial sectors, we see a different picture. Half of the local governments realise savings, the other half an increase. These two extremes are due to the fact that in the last 10-15 years, many municipalities have seen further development of business parks and agriculture. On the other hand, there has also been a big push towards energy efficiency and renewable energy, leading to a decrease in energy consumption and CO2 emissions. The tertiary and transport sectors are experiencing substantial to average increases in many local governments.[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

Some reflections<\/h4>\n

It is important to note some caveats with these figures as well. For instance, a number of SECAP sectors are hugely sensitive to growth effects at the local level. This works against the figures and makes the efforts less visible. In addition, for local governments the year 2011 is used as the reference bar, while Flanders and quite a few other local governments outside Belgium use 2005 or even 2000. This means they already include historical savings in their targets towards 2020 or 2030. It sometimes also makes more sense to look at evolution and ambitions at regional level rather than at municipal level. The message, based on the figures of the past decade, is that there is no point in burying one’s head in the sand. The Mayor’s Covenant 2030 is just around the corner, we have eight years to drastically reverse the trend.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text][\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

Solid local climate policy… so much more than mere money<\/h4>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text][\/vc_column_text][image_with_animation image_url=”166″ image_size=”large” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

There are a number of problems that require a fundamental debate to solve. When we sound out local authorities in Flanders about what their challenges are, we very often see a lack of investment budget, capacity and personnel. A lack of knowledge, know-how and expertise is also common. In the coming years, more resources will undoubtedly flow to local governments, both from Europe and from the regions and the federal level. But we will not solve the problem just by opening the money tap. A sound local climate policy is so much more than just money. There are many other aspects to consider such as:<\/p>\n