“There were evenings when we almost gave up.”
How did the Mouscron energy cooperative come into being and what are its plans for the near future? In December, Energy Cities met with Emmanuel Fontaine who is both the City of Mouscron’s energy adviser and one of the cooperative’s trustees. He told us about the long, but enriching process that led to the creation of this unique energy cooperative. According to this cheerful Belgian, with a clear passion for his work, such a project requires perseverance, tenacity and strong motivation. Below is a shortened version of the interview. You can also download and listen to the unabridged conversation by clicking on the link on this page.
Amsterdam empowers citizens to co-create a sustainable city of the future
The municipality of Amsterdam is looking for new ways to incorporate direct democracy into its fight to cut carbon emissions. Its Amsterdam Climate Accord sets out a goal of reducing CO2 emissions by 95% compared with emission levels in 1990.[i] To achieve this, the city plans to focus on its buildings, traffic and electricity sectors.
Niš embarks on a democratic energy transition journey
The city of Niš recognises the potential that democratic decision-making has in terms of bringing about an ambitious energy transition focused on fighting energy poverty. All the relevant actors are now working together on the transition, bridging initial differences of opinion about democratic ownership models and the need to access external resources. By integrating road maps and action plans with a long-term vision, Niš has become a pilot city and role model for other cities in the region.
The City of Zenica takes action: cleaner air, upgraded public lighting and more efficient heating
By Jakuta Imširović, municipality of Zenica The City of Zenica is a small town in central Bosnia and Herzegovina known for its heavy industry. Its economy is based on steel and coal production, and it was previously known as the capital of mining and metals…
Climate mainstreaming and energy efficient transition in Donostia-San Sebastián
By Jon Gastañares and Iker Mardaras Larrañaga, City of Donostia-San Sebastián, Basque Country Introduction Donostia-San Sebastián lies in the Basque country, an autonomous region in the north of Spain. With nearly 200,000 inhabitants, the city is known for its rich cultural heritage, vibrant social life…
How a Danish city and its citizens are building a green energy transition
By Bahram Dehghan, Energy City Frederikshavn, Denmark In spite of limited resources and external constraints, the city of Frederikshavn is planning an ambitious energy transition: By 2030 it will only use clean renewable energy. Integrated plans and energy roadmaps already in place have enabled the…
How Dobrich is Pioneering the Energy Transition in Bulgaria
By the municipality of Dobrich For many years, the city of Dobrich has been drawing on a broad network of partners and funding sources to implement energy efficiency projects. With its continuous efforts, the municipality has become a role model for other European cities seeking…
Plymouth Energy Community: A story about energy transition and social justice
By Justin Bear, Plymouth Energy Community To tackle climate change and fight fuel poverty, Plymouth City Council worked in collaboration with the local community to establish the Plymouth Energy Community (PEC). This organization, owned by the community and run for the community, seeks to increase…
Learning about citizen-led approaches to municipal retrofit – mPower goes to Plymouth
Authored by Laura Williams, Carbon Co-op Carbon Co-op are a partner of mPower, a European-wide project to facilitate peer learning between municipalities interested in developing citizen-focused energy projects and services. As part of our work, this month we organised a study visit to Plymouth for the…
Remunicipalisation: yes you can!
Be inspired by remunicipalisation initiatives all over Europe Authored by Beatrice Karas, Energy Cities Inspired by remunicipalisation initiatives all over Europe, an increasing number of local authorities are expanding their role, not just by acting as planners but by operating their own companies and driving…