CONTEXT
In the context of sustainable development of mountain areas, ‘mountain communities’ could provide an appropriate institutional set up to implement and develop environmental policies. This is the main belief behind the Suneagle LIFE project.
The project started in September 2010 and finished in June 2014, involved 17 Mountain Communities in Italy, representing four regions (Campania, Basilicata, Molise and Puglia), 2 Associations of Municipalities, one Province (Salerno), and 161 Municipalities, representing a total population of over 1.5 million inhabitants. It focused its actions on a total area of over 13 000 km².
OBJECTIVES
- Promote a participatory approach to policy assessment and implementation, in relation to the reduction of emissions and the increasing of CO₂ absorption capacity.
- Contribute to the Kyoto objectives, by anticipating the adoption of tools developed in recent years for management and verification of emissions, and through communication and the use of economic incentives and market mechanisms to reduce greenhouse gases.
- Experiment with local actions designed to help implement the Kyoto Protocol, using participatory methods combining global emission reduction targets with local sustainability targets.
ACTIVITIES AND RESULTS
FORESTRY
- Development of tools to measure the potential absorption of CO2 by territories and to develop the forest plans.
- Mapping of the potential absorption of CO2 by the participating territories of the Southern Apennines.
CARBON MARKET
- Establishment for the involved organisations of an operational tool by which to characterize and increase local investment and forest expenses in the direction of measurement of the potential for absorption and compensation of CO2 of each one.
- Development of an operational model for local carbon market implementation and management by local authorities and communities.
LOCAL CLIMATE
- Involvement of local authorities, organisations, associations and stakeholders maximising the number of subjects involved in the implementation of the required policies to achieve the objectives of the Kyoto Protocol.
- Tools to assess the financial and economic impact of environmental policies on the related areas.
ENERGY
- Measurement of energy consumption of 18 public buildings owned by local authorities involved in the project.
- Efficiency plans to evaluate the energy savings achieved through measures to reduce consumption.
GREEN PUBLIC PROCUREMENT
- Detection and analysis of the quantity and quality of green purchasing by the local authorities involved in the project. Raise of awareness of the local authorities and communities regarding the issue of green procurement through training and information meetings;
- Provision of regulatory tools, support and technical assistance and advisory services in the procurement of “green” goods and services.
