Strengthening capacities for local climate action: International Study Tour for Romanian and Bulgarian municipalities

Municipalities have a strategic role to play in addressing climate change. They drive developments and provide model measures for the successful reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The transformation to a low-carbon economy also creates opportunities for added value and increased quality of life at the local level. Highlighting these achievements, exploring further potentials and promoting the sharing of policy and implementation know-how was Germany’s goal in hosting the International Conference on Climate Action (ICCA) in Hanover on October 1 and 2, 2015. The conference focused on the exchange of political strategies, necessary political frameworks and how to successfully implement climate-related measures in municipalities.

It is against this backdrop that the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) commissioned adelphi to conduct an international study tour for representatives from Romanian and Bulgarian municipalities and other stakeholders on local climate action. The study tour took participants to Hannover, from 29 September until 2 October 2015 to share best-practice examples of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in Germany. After the site visits on the first day, delegates were invited to the International Conference on Climate Action (ICCA) on 1 and 2 October. The conference gave cities and municipalities the chance put themselves forward as key players in climate action and adaptation to climate change. Representatives from municipalities, regional and national government, networks, foundations and academia got together to present, learn, and discuss. The aim of the study tour was to provide capacity building to Romanian and Bulgarian participants and to enable knowledge transfer between stakeholders in local climate action from Germany and across the globe.

adelphi prepared the concept and organised the study tour, took care of logistics and personally accompanying the Romanian and Bulgarian delegates in Hannover throughout. Moreover, adelphi prepared the site visits, all of which were tailored to the needs of the delegations.