The local authority Municipal Climate Change Plan in Noain, Valle de Elorz in Spain is the result of a series of energy efficiency and saving activities carried out in the municipality within the Local Agenda 21 strategy. Before the Agenda 21 was approved in 2003 there was little awareness of energy efficiency and climate change issues. The local authorities had not installed any renewable-energy facilities and residents were not conscious about energy-saving. In 2004, the drawing up of a District Energy Plan covering the town’s amenities began. The plan involved local authorities, local businessmen and residents and included four areas of action: energy-saving and efficiency, developing renewable energy, integrating energy-efficiency criteria into municipal policies and awareness-raising and dissemination, covering 143 projects. Eventually these initiatives were combined with forestation projects under the umbrella title: District Climate Change Plan. In 2005 the first renewable energy facility was installed and since then several renewable energy sources have developed. Awareness-raising campaigns have been implemented, targeting residents and council staff and addressing different resource saving issues. Reforestation projects have also been established in the area. In 2008 a partnership was established with the central Foundation of Environmental Resources of Navarra to secure the support and provision of resources for the District Climate Change Plan. The result of the collaboration was the opening of the District Climate Change Office the same year. Major achievements include the installation of eight renewable energy facilities within the municipality and a change in energy consumption trends: in 2006 the electricity consumption was cut down ten percent and in 2007 by a further six percent. Since 2003 More than 30,000 trees and bushes have been planted in the urban areas. The promotion of sustainable mobility including cycle tracks projects and improved bus services have been quite successful, and increased use of bus transport has been noted. Hundreds of persons have become aware and involved through public participation forums, environmental volunteer days and energy saving/efficiency workshops. The local population is more aware and keen to get involved in activities to combat climate change. Municipal council workers are increasingly sensitive of the need to include energy efficiency criteria in their actions. The District Climate Change Plan programme is actively and continuously striving for environmental sustainability by reducing the district’s dependence on fossil fuels. The benefits go beyond environmental: once the investments have been paid off, they will either generate money or reduce current costs. Socio-economically the population has benefited from improved self-esteem through increased awareness, education and active participation. Currently, new Municipal Plan is being drafted to incorporate sustainability criteria into urban planning and building.
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Ayuntamiento De Noain-Valle De Elorz
Plaza De Los Fueros, 3 Noain 31110 Spain
agenda21@noain.es
34948317203
