44 Polish cities, in cooperation with the Ministry of the Environment, participate in the project aimed at adapting them to the observed and prognosed climate changes.
Learn more about the projectThe conference ended two years of work on the preparation of adaptation plans for 44 Polish cities – Białystok, Bielsko Biała, Bydgoszcz, Bytom, Chorzów, Czeladz, Częstochowa, Dąbrowa Górnicza, Elbląg, Gdańsk, Gdynia, Gliwice, Gorzów Wielkopolski, Grudziądz, Jaworzno, Kalisz, Katowice, Kielce, Kraków, Legnica, Lublin, Łódź, Mysłowice, Olsztyn, Opole, Płock, Poznań, Radom, Ruda Śląska, Rybnik, Rzeszów, Siemianowice Śląskie, Słupsk, Sopot, Sosnowica, Szczecin, Tarnów, Toruń, Tychy, Wałbrzych, Włocławek, Wrocław, Zabrze and Zielona Góra.
Thank you for the fact that in our country for two years there has been a programme being implemented and summed up today, which is unique on a European scale – said the President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda. He emphasized that the opportunity to talk about adaptation to climate change in the largest urban centres in the country, looking at the country as a whole, is undoubtedly our great success. This shows that we think that we are a step forward, that we are aware that threats are growing and that we not only look at whether or not we pretend that nothing is happening, but we go forward and want to look for ways to solve possible future problems – he added.
Preparation of urban adaptation plans was based on an innovative approach aimed at determining the most effective measures to adapt and protect against the effects of already existing and forecasted threats – extreme temperatures, heat waves, heavy rainfall, storms and storms, urban floods, from the rivers and sea.
A high level of urbanisation means that climate change will have an impact on the dynamics of urban development and thus on the quality of life of their inhabitants. Therefore, increasing the ability to adapt to the negative effects of climate change and supporting resilience to climate change are one of the most important elements of global and Polish climate policy – emphasized Henryk Kowalczyk, Minister of the Environment.
Together with city authorities, whose inhabitants make up over 30% of the country’s population, strategic solutions have been developed to increase the cities’ adaptation potential to the effects of climate change and to increase the level of inhabitants’ awareness in this respect. Social and economic benefits, an increase in the level of safety and the improvement of the quality of life in the city are the objectives which, thanks to the implementation of the adaptation plans, will be achieved by 2030.
44 MPA is a flagship project of the Ministry of the Environment in the area of adaptation to climate change and an example of practical and fruitful cooperation between the government and local governments of the largest Polish cities. It results in the development of strategic solutions that will allow cities to increase their adaptation potential to the effects of climate change,” said Sławomir Mazurek, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of the Environment.
Climate change is not only a global problem, but it is also becoming an increasingly important local problem. Adaptation to climate change in cities requires not only actions implemented by local governments, but also the involvement of residents. Awareness of climate change, threats and their effects (social, environmental, economic and health) as well as knowledge about the possibilities and effectiveness of climate change mitigation and adaptation measures is the basis for the involvement of local communities in adaptation measures, Wanda Jarosz from the Institute for Ecology of Industrial Areas stressed during the presentation of the results of awareness research.
Dr. Krystian Szczepański, Director of the Institute of Environmental Protection (IOŚ-PIB – project leader) and Barbara Rajkowska, project manager, presented summary results of analyses conducted in 44 cities participating in the project.
It is necessary to look for activities that solve many problems and bring results in many areas – emphasized Barbara Rajkowska, IOŚ-PIB. – There is a need for investments which serve to minimize the risk and protect the climate, while at the same time providing the residents with conditions conducive to health and strengthening social bonds.
During the discussion, aspects related primarily to partnership building, generation of synergies, use of good practices, as well as benefits from the use of innovative technologies and solutions in the field of blue-green infrastructure were discussed.
We are joining the world’s leading countries that are responsibly and comprehensively involved in adaptation to climate change.
Currently, cities are facing new challenges resulting from the observed climate changes – said Dr. Justyna Gorgoń from the Institute of Ecology of Industrial Areas during the panel “The future of adaptation activities in cities in Poland”. – Moreover, the specificity of modern urban centres, their size and density of the spatial structure and accompanying technical infrastructure, as well as the dynamically growing urban population create new threats resulting from weather phenomena and factors resulting from the specificity of urbanised areas.
Simon Bedford, partner in Deloitte UK, described climate change adaptation measures in three aspects. When it comes to financing these measures, funding should be sought at all three levels – from the administration, through the citizens themselves, to the private sector, which is increasingly open to the fight against and adaptation to climate change.
Experts stressed that adaptation serves to improve the quality of life in the city, of which the state of the environment is an increasingly important element. Adaptation measures undertaken in cities require, on the one hand, strong organisational and legal support at the national level, and on the other hand, conscious society and entities responsible for their implementation at the local level.
During the conference, the winners of the competition for primary and junior high school students “Let’s feel the climate – adaptation to climate change around us” were announced. GRAND PRIX Awards were presented by President Andrzej Duda.
In the Poster category, the winner was Zuzanna Łukaszewska from the Primary School No. 16 in Gdynia, the author of the work titled “The climate change”. See the need to adapt to the changing climate around us”; in the Photography category – Krystyna Szuszkiewicz from the Public Primary School No. 1 in Chorzele, the author of the work entitled “Posters of the Year”, the winner was Zuzanna Łukaszewska from the Primary School No. 16 in Gdynia, the author of the work “Poster”. “Hope”.
Photo gallery from the conference:
The publication had its premiere during the COP24 Climate Summit in Katowice, and is now available both in Polish and English on our website. On over 30 pages you will find the information about the project, its course, results and recommendations from experts and partner cities – all these were presented in a synthetic way. The publication may be particularly useful for smaller cities that intend to prepare a plan for adaptation to climate change. The publication is also the conclusion of a 2-year project and the work of more than 1,000 people who have been involved in its preparation, even to the smallest extent! The official completion of the project will take place on 12 January 2019, and already on 9 January in Warsaw there will be a conference summarizing the project.
Summary report – English version
Climate change is one of the most important threats to sustainable development, economic stability and a safe society – said Sławomir Mazurek, Deputy Minister of the Environment, opening the discussion during the session “Adapting to climate change in cities”, which took place on 8 December this year.
He pointed out that cities are particularly sensitive areas where the most pressing challenges are concentrated, from water scarcity and poor air quality to economic disruption and social instability. He also stressed the importance of building synergies between cities and building a platform for the exchange of experience and good practice.
Adaptation to climate change is a relatively new trend in the development policy of countries and cities, which cannot be ignored – said the deputy minister.
Szymon Tumielewicz, Deputy Director of the Department of Sustainable Development and International Cooperation at the Ministry of the Environment, presented the most important assumptions underlying the development of climate change adaptation plans for 44 Polish cities. He pointed out that within the framework of this undertaking a model of cooperation between experts and representatives of local governments was developed and cooperation with local communities was initiated.
The discussion part was attended, among others, by: Patrick V. Verkooijen, Director of the Global Adaptation Centre, Yann Françoise, Director for Climate, Energy and Economy in the Closed Circuit, City of Paris, Mariusz Skiba, Vice-President of Katowice, Yunus Arikan, Head of Global Policy and Advocacy, International Council for Environmental Initiatives – ICLEI, Yvon Slingenberg, Director for Climate Change, Yvon Slingenberg, Director for Sustainable Development. International Policy Coordination and Mainstreaming, DG Climate Action, European Commission, Henk WJ Ovink, Special Envoy for International Water Affairs of the Netherlands, Krystian Szczepański, Director, Institute for Environmental Protection – PIB.
Yann Françoise pointed out that after 13 years of implementing measures to increase Paris’ resilience to climate change, he can say that raising awareness and the widest possible cooperation between city authorities, residents, scientists and business is crucial if we want to stimulate adaptation and mitigation in the city space.
If we adapt to climate change, at the same time we reduce carbon dioxide emissions,” said Henk Ovink, stressing that these actions are parallel, develop together and produce results together.
The way in which adaptation policies are implemented may vary considerably from country to country. In Poland, we develop guidelines for cities devoted to local adaptation plans, which we launched a few years ago, as well as a handbook for investors on how to include climate change issues in project preparation,” explained Sławomir Mazurek, Deputy Minister of the Environment, in the discussion part.
COP 24, Urban Day, 8.12.2018, Session ‘Adaptation to climate change in cities’, Sławomir Mazurek, Undersecretary of State Ministry of the Environment (Photo: S. Nagórka)
COP 24, Urban Day, 8.12.2018, Session ‘Adapting to climate change in cities’, Szymon Tumielewicz, Deputy Director of the Department of Sustainable Development and International Cooperation, Ministry of the Environment (Photo: S. Nagórka)
COP 24, Urban Day, 8.12.2018, Session ‘Adapting to climate change in cities’, Krystian Szczepański, Director of the Institute of Environmental Protection – PIB (Photo: IETU)
COP 24, Urban Day, 8.12.2018, Session ‘Adapting to climate change in cities’. (Photo: S. Nagorka)
COP 24, Urban Day, 8.12.2018, Session ‘Adapting to climate change in cities’. (Photo IETU)
Federal Environment Minister Svenja Schulze commented: “Climate action and equity go hand in hand. This is the important message being sent from this Petersberg Climate Dialogue. When it comes to climate action, many economies are facing the task of realising enormous structural changes. International experience has shown that the earlier such adjustments are made, the easier it is to avoid disruptions and maintain social cohesion. In all this, we must keep in mind that climate change, in particular, poses by far the largest threat to social cohesion in many regions. This Petersberg Climate Dialogue has opened up an international debate on socially just climate action – a debate in which we can learn a lot from one another.”
Polish Minister for the Environment Henryk Kowalczyk underlined that the adoption of the complete package implementing the Paris Agreement at the Katowice COP would be a very important proof of collective ambition to do more and faster together. The presidency, guided by the Parties, will make sure that the outcome of the conference takes all the nations into peaceful, sustainable future.
Designated president of the 24th UN Climate Change Conference in Katowice, State Secretary Michal Kurtyka stated: “We need to keep people in the heart of our policies. This means that our climate policy must ensure benefits for the society and just transition for all our citizens. In order to reach climate neutrality we need both groundbreaking mitigation technologies and enhanced sequestration potential by biosystems. Making use of technologies which are just ripe enough can – with a little kick – help us achieve our long-term objectives, such as renewables, electromobility and digitalisation.”
Germany and Poland organised the 9th Petersberg Climate Dialogue as co-hosts under the heading “Changing together for a just transition”. The concept of a just transition for example the socially compatible transition toward a more climate-friendly economy, was therefore a prominent feature for the first time on the international agenda of climate diplomacy. Many examples of structural change, possibilities for retraining employees and new climate jobs were discussed. Topics of the conference also included commissions for structural development and climate action, and dialogue formats with social partners.
Talks also centred on preparations for the UN Climate Change Conference in Katowice this December where it is expected that a robust set of rules for implementing the Paris Agreement will be adopted. The political phase of the Talanoa Dialogue will also take place during the conference in Katowice informing the preparation of NDCs. Current NDCs are not sufficient to limit global warming to well below two degrees, or let alone below 1.5 degrees.
Source: Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety
In the report „Multisolving at the Intersection of Health and Climate: Lessons From Success Stories” based on an analysis of over 100 projects implemented in 52 countries around the world, the authors said that close and sustainable cross-sectoral cooperation for health and climate is possible and can improve local indicators in the field of public health, while contributing to the implementation of long-term global climate goals, often with significant financial savings.
Climate Interactive organization also presented examples of good practices and a number of advice on creating and maintaining projects involving several parties: from individual medical doctors, through large corporations, to local and national authorities. These projects show that combining activities supporting climate protection and adaptation to changing climate condition brings health benefits, but also these activities are more effective, so cooperation allows you to reduce costs.
Few examples:
Green curtains
Japanese manufacturer of electronic components and photovoltaic systems Kyocera since 2007 covers the facade of their buildings with greenery creating ‘green walls’. This treatment aims to reduce the room temperature, save energy and reduce air pollution. Living curtains of decorative or edible vines help cool the air by evaporation of water, reduce the use of air conditioning, while providing shade on sunny days and absorb carbon dioxide. In addition, edible parts of the plants to to the company’s canteen, some of them are handed over to the employees free of charge.
See how to prepare a green curtain yourself – Kyocera instruction
Walk to school
The British Living Streets organization designed a ‘Walk to School’ campaign to promote walking to school on foot. The authors of the campaign believe that this should be the obvious choice of teachers as well as children and their parents. The introduction of such a habit not only positively affects health, but also allows to reduce traffic jams in the city and limit transport emissions. The campaign currently reaches 13 million people and its implementers work with over 750 000 children in 2000 schools. The project is a part of the British government’s policy, according to which by 2025 55% of primary school students are to go to school on foot. The campaign also supports the implementation of strategic objectives adopted by the Department of Transport, limiting traffic and carbon dioxide emissions.
Report results
Most of the initiatives described in the report can easily be adopted to local conditions and involve local communities in their implementation. The results of the conducted analyzes suggest that supporting cooperation between health organizations and those that bet on clear energy and engaging in climate protection, is an open and promising and still not fully used opportunity to increase the effectiveness of climate protection actions and also adaptation to changing climate conditions.
Source: Climate Interactive
The development of action plans to adapt the city to the changing climate conditions and the observed increase in the occurrence of extreme weather events is a key part of the work on Urban Adaptation Plans for climate change. The proposals and adaptation activities prepared by experts and specialists from city offices are consulted at working workshops with representatives of local communities.
Gdynia, Gdańsk and Sopot, which are preparing urban plans for adaptation to climate change, have to choose adaptive activities in a special way, mainly due to the rainfall risk from storms, sudden urban floods, floods from rivers and stormy seaside floods or specific local conditions that affect the intensification of adverse effects of changing climate conditions, i.e. wind (dangerous gusts), storms or landslides.
Threats that have been identified for the Tri-City (Gdańsk, Sopot, Gdynia) – according to the expert Halina Burakowska, Director of the Maritime Department of Institute of Meteorology and Water Management – National Research Institute in Gdynia – are the occurrence of storms, sudden floods, floods from the side of rivers and the sea, extreme temperatures or strong and very strong winds.
During workshops, experts from IMGW-PIB presented a summary of carried our analyzes and a proposal for adaptation activities – technical, organizational and informative-educational for Gdynia, Gdańsk and Sopot. The workshops took place on 20th of March in Gdynia, 22nd of March in Gdańsk and on 23rd of March in Sopot.
Adaptation activities will prepare the Tri-City primarily for dealing with the impact of precipitation (floods from the sea, sudden/urban floods, heavy rains), wind (strong and very strong wind), storms and extreme temperatures (higher maximum temperatures) – says Dr Ewa Jakusik from IMGW-PIB. – In the case of Sopot, the directions of activities increasing the city’s resistance to occurrence of drought (i.e. water shortage especially in the summer season) and negative effects of increased concentration of air pollutants (exceedance of concentration standards), will also be taken into account.
Effective adaptation to climate change in the Tri-City can be achieved also by informative-educational activities, strengthening the emergency services’ potential by crisis management bodies and technical measures i.e. preventing flooding or urban flooding, as well as drainage and retention of rainwater with the possibility of using it, for example to maintain greenery. The creation of blue-green infrastructure is a also very important activity.
Gdańsk is an example of a city in which the local government actively works on adapting the city to changing climate conditions, especially heavy rains – adds MSc. Halina Burakowska from IMGW-PIB. – Planning the adaptation activities also included the city’s development strategy and the already implemented activities related to adaptation to the effects of climate change.
It have been third workshops ad a part of the work of MPA (City Adaptation Plans). Experts from IMGW-PIB emphasize the involvement of employees of the city teams in preparation of MPA in Gdynia, Gdańsk and Sopot in the work on preparing a strategy for adaptation of cities to climate change by 2030 with a perspective up to 2050.
Experience and involvement of local government employees and local organizations and institutions i.e. ARMAAG Foundation, The Centre for Ecological Information and Education, WIOŚ, RDOŚ, Gdańsk Waters, Maritime Institute, Maritime Office, Polish Geological Institute – National Research Institute, etc. In workshops have also participated representatives of: Districts Councils, housing communities and cooperatives. The participants of the workshops got acquainted with lists of adaptation activities and obtained explanations and comments from the Team of Experts and the City Team. Stakeholders commented on individual adaptation options and proposed their verification – they eliminated or proposed additional activities.
The developed adaptation options will then be subjected to a multi-criteria analysis (cost-benefit analysis) in the next stage of the MPA project.
The development of action plans to adapt the city to the changing climate conditions and the observed increase in the occurrence of extreme weather events is a key part of the work on Urban Adaptation Plans to Climate Change. The choice of these methods by the local government, experts and residents greatly determines the everyday life of the city and its inhabitants and affects their sense of security and health.
The most important stage of the project is ahead of us – the development of adaptation options, which is packages of activities of a different nature – technical, organizational, educational and promotional. They are a response to the identified risks resulting from changing climate conditions – informs Dr. Justyna Gorgoń from the Institute for Ecology of Industrial Areas. – The proposed adaptation measures should considerably limit the effects of adverse impacts resulting from climate change. In the next stage, we will submit the adaptation options to the analyzes, which will result in the final selection of a set of activities that will be entered into Urban Adaptation Plans document for each city.
The basis for proposing adaptation measures is the risk assessment developed for the identified climate threats, taking into account the city’s vulnerability in the most sensitive sectors. Four sectors most sensitive to changing climate conditions were indicated for each city. When planning adaptation activities, the city’s development strategy and measures taken to adapt to the effects of climate change were also taken into account.
Silesian cities most need all activities related to the protection of their residents, especially the elderly, the sick and children against the effects of high temperatures, heat waves, additionally compounded by the phenomenon of urban heat island – emphasizes Katarzyna Kobiela from ARCADIS. – It will also be important to propose measures to prevent flooding or urban flooding, such ad drainage and retention of rainwater with the possibility of using it, for instance to maintain greenery. The creation of blue-green infrastructure is a very important activity.
Workshops in Gliwice (6.04.) has started a series of meetings in 16 cities of the Silesian Voivodship. The closest workshops took place in Siemianowice Śląskie (10.04.), Ruda Śląska (11.04.), Dąbrowa Górnicza (12.04.), Zabrze (13.04.), Katowice (17.04.).
Date
25th April 2018
Location
Bonn, Germany
Gustav-Stresemann-Institute
Registration
Registration for the event can be completed online.
For further information, visit the http://resilientcities2018.iclei.org/
The draft program of the OED 2018
As in previous years, the OED will focus on city-to-city exchange on urban adaptation, and this year’s edition will also include interactive workshops around three key themes
This year’s participants can look forward to panel discussions and trainings on adaptive water management, critical infrastructure protection, cultural heritage and arts in adaptation, socially just adaptation and citizen involvement in adaptation planning, financing and insurance, engaging of the public sector and utilities, and nature-based solutions for urban adaptation.
Source: OED
The third round of city workshops is organized in a framework of Development of Urban Adaptation Plans for cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants in Poland in 44 partner cities. The aim of conducted meetings is to sum up ongoing project efforts and to present optional lists of climate change adaptation activities prepared by experts team and personalized for each from 44 biggest Polish cities. During the workshops participants will verify lists of activities mentioned before and decide what kind of action is the most needed according to the city infrastructure, its climate conditions and different factors, basing on previous study.
This round again opens up for the group of stakeholders directly connected with the topic of climate changes and areas which are the most influenced by it in order to provide more spaces and opportunities to raise the local voice and agree on recommended list of climate change adaptation activities together.
Stay with us and keep being updated with all the news from city workshops which will initially start on 13th of March in Olsztyn, right after that in Słupsk and Białystok on 14th and 15 th of March.
The full schedule of workshops is available here. You can also follow the project on social media and the website directly.
The agenda of the talks included issues such as circular economy, the greening of the European Semester and the UN COP24 Summit.
UN COP24 Summit
During the ENVI Council meeting, Minister Henryk Kowalczyk and Vice-Minister Paweł Sałek also raised the issue of Poland’s preparations for the UN COP24 Summit. This 24th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP24) will take place in Katowice, Poland from the 3rd to the 14th of December 2018.
During the meeting, Minister Henryk Kowalczyk pointed out:
“For many years, we have been talking about the need to combat climate change. The increasing gravity of the situation calls for a shift from debates and analyses to decisive action. The Paris Agreement, which set the framework for international cooperation on climate protection beyond 2020, will be ineffective without proper implementing legislation. Therefore, the main objective of COP24 is to adopt the full package implementing this agreement.”
On the other hand, Vice-Minister Paweł Sałek stressed that Poland counts on active involvement of all the parties to the Paris Agreement, and in particular the Member States of the European Union, in the negotiation process.
“We support all informal initiatives, including meetings, workshops and consultations, which will serve a constructive dialogue and building trust between the parties. It is also necessary to balance the efforts of rich and poor countries. The parties must continue the climate negotiations in the spirit of the adopted Paris Agreement, that is, above all, to ensure the universal participation of all countries and the voluntary choice of how to reduce emissions and use natural resources,” said Vice-Minister Sałek.
The ENVI Council meeting took place in Brussels on the 5th of March 2018. During the meeting, the participants raised other environmental issues such as ivory trade, efforts to combat global deforestation and the management of invasive alien species.
On the Council’s sidelines, Minister Henryk Kowalczyk also spoke to the European Commission’s Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy, Miguel Arias Cañete on the current issues regarding environmental and climate policy, as well as to the heads of EU Member States’ delegations, including Germany, Austria and the United Kingdom.
Source: Ministry of Environment
The environmental and societal challenges in the Baltic Sea region are numerous and the work for a sustainable development needs to speed up immediately. The potential to turn these challenges into opportunities are great and studies suggest that 900,000 jobs could be created in the region by 2030. But what practical measures need to be addressed in order for us to take care of, and benefit from, the Baltic Sea in a responsible way?
Climate change affects the Baltic Sea and our region in several ways. During the event participants will have the opportunity to learn about the latest research and concrete measures for mitigation and adaptation on a regional level, meet and exchange ideas and knowledge regarding urgent issues, innovative solutions and good examples.
The Baltic Sea Future congress is an arena for action-oriented municipalities, researchers, entrepreneurs, investors and other stakeholders from across the Baltic Sea region working to reach sustainable and prosperous societies while saving the Baltic Sea.
Mr Marcin Grądzki, the representative of the Department of Sustainable Development and International Cooperation in the Polish Ministry of the Environment is one of the Polish speakers invited to take part in Congress. Being part of the team responsible for the coordination of the climate change adaptation policy implementation in Poland, with tasks such as cooperation at the national, regional and local level in the area of adaptation to climate change, he will discuss main goals and outgoing accomplishments of the Polish flagship adaptation project – “Development of Urban Adaptation Plans for cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants in Poland”.
You will find more info about The Baltic Sea Future Congress here.
The Baltic Sea Future Congress 2017 flashback:
The meeting was also attended by Paweł Sałek, Vice-Minister of Environment, Government Plenipotentiary for Climate Policy and Jarosław Zieliński, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration. Opening the meeting, Minister Henryk Kowalczyk emphasised:
The COP24 Summit is of crucial importance for Poland. We are expecting nearly 40,000 delegates, including many heads of state. The organisation of the climate conference is a great challenge for Poland, both in terms of its content, as well as logistics. However, I am convinced that we will succeed in carrying out all the necessary tasks.
fot. mos.gov.pl
COP24 Summit Organisation Team
The Team was established on the basis of the Act on special arrangements for the organisation of the session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. It comprises the representatives of a number of organisations, including: Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior and Administration, National Police Headquarters, National Fire Service Headquarters, Border Guard Headquarters, Internal Security Agency (ABW), National Security Services, Silesian Voivode, Mayor of the City of Katowice and a member of the Metropolitan Association.
During the meeting, participants have raised the most important issues related to the organisation of the COP24 Summit, including diplomatic protocol issues, delegate security and the provision of transport services.
UN COP24 Summit
COP24 or the 
24th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change will take place on the 3rd – 14th of December 2018 in Katowice. The event will be attended by nearly 40000 delegates from all over the world, including heads of governments and ministers responsible for environment and climate issues.
The plan for the COP24 summit is to adopt a full package implementing the Paris Agreement. The Agreement is the first international agreement in history, which compels all countries in the world to take action on climate protection. The implementation package will allow for the implementation of the Agreement in practice. It will thus set global climate and energy policy for the coming years.
Source: Ministry of the Environment
With over 2000 years of history, Nijmegen is a very old city with a very bright future. Winner of the European Green Capital for 2018, this inland port located on the River Waal is known as the “balcony to Europe”. The population of 176 000 has a vision of a sustainable future which builds on old Dutch traditions such as water management and cycling.
City cycling well on track
The bicycle culture of the Netherlands is nowhere better represented than in Nijmegen, voted Cycling City of the Netherlands in 2016 by the Dutch Cyclists’ Union. To date, more than 60 km of cycling ‘superhighways’ have been built, with plans to add another 20 km to the network. Over 65% of visitors to the city centre and the Heyendaal university campus travel by bicycle, with cycling accounting for 37% of journeys up to 7.5 km.
City cyclists actively participated in the bid for European Green Capital. Mayor Bruls explains: “During the finals, we presented our city together with our university, our businesses and our citizens. Nijmegen locals participated in a green rally to the other finalist cities (Copenhagen, Bristol and Ljubljana), travelling sustainably by cycling, running or swimming. This made quite an impression.”
Water and waste management
Cooperation, rather than limitation, is at the heart of the ”Room for the River Waal” project, which builds upon a long history of Dutch water management. The project, which began in 2011 and was completed in 2016, focused on dredging an extra ancillary channel behind an existing dyke. The end result was better flood protection while, at the same time, creating opportunities for new residential developments, an entirely new river park with an island and 1.6 km of sloped quayside for flood control and recreation.
Nijmegen’s high-performing waste management system along with a long-term commitment to achieving ambitious recycling targets have succeeded in reducing waste generation year on year. As part of the drive for a more circular economy, every year, public awareness outreach highlights different waste streams under the ongoing campaign ”Look! Waste = Raw Material”.
In 2013, the campaign focused on organic waste, with the underlying message that, in its raw state, this material provides the base for compost and biogas. Citizens were able to see the processes behind the transformation of raw waste into compost and biogas by visiting the local incineration and fermentation plant. The result was not only free compost for residents – but also a new understanding on their part.
Citizen involvement played an important part in Nijmegen’s successful bid. Mayor Bruls says – The competition has sparked considerable enthusiasm. Several citizen initiatives, ‘the Green Capital Challenges’, will be organised in 2018.
Visit www.greencapitalchallenges.nl to see all of the citizen initiatives.
An inspiring example
Nijmegen’s example will continue to inspire others, with many activities planned for the year ahead, including the circular economy conference EcoProcura, the National Circular Economy Summit, Sustainable Fashion Week, and the Children’s Climate Summit in Arnhem.
In addition, says Mayor Bruls: A wonderful circular and sustainably built community centre will be constructed on top of Kelfkensbos. This eye-catching building will provide information about the sustainable city of Nijmegen and will offer special green routes for exploring the city and the region. As a municipality, there’s a lot you can do to make your city greener, more sustainable and healthier. We invest – often together with other authorities – in initiatives like cycling superhighways, regional heat networks, parks or water management. But we have also learned that the involvement of citizens, social organisations, entrepreneurs and research institutes is absolutely necessary to successfully implement change – concludes Mayor Bruls.
There are rewards every time we take another step and accomplish something that results in a cleaner, healthier, safer and greener city. We have achieved something that really matters, both now and in the future – he adds.
Ten of European cites was entitled European Green Capital till now: Stockholm (2010), Hamburg (2011), Vitoria-Gasteiz (2012), Nantes (2013), Copenhagen (2014), Bristol (2015), Lublana (2016), Essen (2017), Nijmegen (2018) and Oslo (2019).
Source: European Comission
The second round of workshops has already been completed in the cities of Częstochowa, Czeladź, Katowice, Bydgoszcz, Tarnów, Włocławek, Tychy, Wałbrzych, Sosnowiec, Gdynia, Sopot, Toruń, Gdańsk, Kielce, Opole, Bielsko Biała, Poznań, Białystok, Grudziądz, Gliwice and Dąbrowa Górnicza.
The representatives of local communities together with local government and experts have faced the challenge of evaluating potential threats resulting from climate change. The analysis was focused on revealing potential consequences of extreme weather phenomena to identify the most vulnerable urban components which need immediate intervention and implementation of adequate adaptive actions. The majority of cities have decided that the components most liable to negative effects of extreme weather phenomena include:
Participants of the workshops discussed also if the climate change may have a positive influence on the cities and their functioning.
The second round of workshops is planned to be finished by the end of January 2018. 13 meetings are still ahead of us.
Not that long time ago we have finished the first round of city workshops organized as one of the main initiatives in a framework of Development of Urban Adaptation Plans for cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants in Poland which let the experts and local urban teams point main threats and most susceptible sectors to climate changes.
The topic is vast so that we want to make sure that every step we take as one united society hides strong logic behind. That is why we don’t stop on assumptions but strive for more and more knowledge, certainty, perspectives and proofs. The second round of city workshops opens up for more and engages the third group of stakeholders from different areas of social, municipal and private business who will be included in a creation process of possible solutions for problems which were pointed out previously. This kind of initiative will provide more spaces to raise the local voice, consult more opinions, introduce new points of view on specific cases and confront possible oversights.
Stay with us and keep being updated with all the news from city workshops which will initially start on 5th of October in Legnica, right after that in Chorzów and Słupsk on 7th Oct.
The full schedule of workshops is available here. You can also follow the project on social media and the website directly.
See you there!
You can find pictures taken during workshops here:
