Climate Change and Energy Activities of the REC

1. Climate Change and Energy Activities of the REC Marta Szigeti Bonifert Executive Director

2. Concept and purpose of this event • An important part of the Stabilization and Association process to the EU covers the preparations for the transposition of energy and climate related directives of the EU • We hope that this meeting will provide opportunity • to present and discuss the EU Climate and Energy policy offer • to discuss ways for regional cooperation for the representatives of different ministries and stakeholders in the candidate and potential candidate countries in SEE

3. Climate Change in Focus • Since 1999, the REC, in cooperation with numerous partners has been working on the fields of Climate Change to help Central and Eastern European countries identify policies and measures to comply with the commitments and respond to the opportunities created by the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol • Regional cooperation • Cross-border solutions • National activities • Local/municipality support

4. Partnerships – Energy and Transport • REEEP • A global coalition to accelerate the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency,announced at the World Summit on Sustainable Development, initiated by the UK • REC’s role in REEEP • Develop Information Clearing House for CEE and Turkey • Organise regional workshops and training; disseminate information • MEDREP • Type 2 partnership of governments, businesses and associations, initiated in 2002 during the Johannesburg Summit by the Italian Government • REC’s role in MEDREP • Developing and operating the training and development centre; to provide capacity building on both macro and micro levels • Execution of projects leading to the development of an advanced renewable energy market across the target regions/countries (tradable renewable certificates, biomass and geothermal projects in the Balkans, etc.) • Coordination between the MEDREP and REEEP initiatives • UNFCCC FOCAL POINT • for artricle 6 (national focal point for Turkey; regional focal point) • TRANSPORT AND ENVIRONMENT • CLEAN FUEL AND VEHICLE INITIATIVE • UNEP/US EPA and other partners – Global coalition • REC’s role • Addressing Clean Fuels and Vehicles Issues in Central and Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia regions

5. Education for Sustainable Development: Green Pack – developing for the forth coming COP special edition on CC • Example of key multi stakeholder partnership project • 2001 with the support of Toyota Motor Corporation, the REC developed a comprehensive environmental education programme • A multi-media environmental education curriculum kit • Primarily intended for secondary school teachers and their students • 22 environmental topics – 5 areas Environmental Components, Threats to the Environment, Human Activities and Impact, Global Challenges, Values, • Available in 11 countries (ongoing preparations in 5 countries) • 15.000 teachers • 1.800.000 kids

6. Belgrade Initiative on Climate Change Presented at a REC Side Event Bali, 7 December 2007 • Launched by Serbia in 2006, as a result of the South-East European Ministerial consultation process, and it is endorsed at the Ministerial Conference “Environment for Europe”, held in 2007 at Belgrade • Within the Initiative it is proposed to develop a SEE Climate Change Framework Action Plan (SEE/CCFAP) in accordance with the principles and objectives of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). • This relates to Research and Systematic Observation, Education, Training, Public Awareness and Capacity Building • It is also proposed to establish a Sub-regional Virtual Climate Change related Centre in Belgrade as a means of improving sub-regional cooperation, which would also facilitate and coordinate implementation of the SEE/CCFAP

7. Kyoto in Homes • Inform and educate teachers, students and their families about • the problems • the goals and • the potential for energy efficiency (EE) measures and renewable energy sources (RES) in their homes • Tools • web-based methodology >> enable families for energy saving • new resources in schools >> integration to subjects • dissemination >> Sustainable Energy Europe • Donors • EU Intelligent Energy-Europe programme • National agencies

8. Climate Change in “Center” • Since 1999 the REC implemented numerous projects on Climate Change • The aim of a new project – end date June, 2008 – to create a resource center for all these knowledge and experience within a unique environment in our new • Zero Emission Conference Center

9. Guide & Good practices • REC Conference Center with zero-carbon emission • Fossil-fuel based emission is reduced to zero by minimizing energy demand and using local energy resources • The biggest solar power plant in Hungary

10. ZERO EMMISSION DETAILS • High efficiency envelope • minimise heat loss in winter, prevent heat gains in summer and maximise the exploitation of natural lighting • Lighting system • a „light shelf” will diffuses natural light throughout the interior • Photovoltaic • The PV system will generate close to 30 kilowatt hours • Heating ventilating and air-conditioning • A ground source heat pump will be the primary source of heating and cooling to take advantage of the area's wealth of geothermal resources. • Architecture • Energy systems and architecture have been designed in a modern and integrated approach

11. Opening date: 26/27 June 2008