THE ENERGY OF THE FUTURE IN UNESCO SITES by RENFORUS

THE ENERGY OF THE FUTURE IN UNESCO SITES

promoting the use of renewable energies and energy efficiency

ÂŠ El Hierro biosphere reserve

In 1973, the international congress «The Sun in the Service of Mankind» which marked the beginning of renewable energies theme as a major international cause was held in Paris under the auspices of UNESCO. Forty years after, energy becomes the core of global sustainability and climate change mitigation discussions. As energy demand continues to grow, the ability to address energy issues, including energy access, efficiency, and renewable energy sources, will be paramount in enabling development and climate change priorities to be met in a mutually reinforcing way. The need to address energy supply as the main and critical driver of sustainable development and for reaching a global climate change deal was emphasised at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (RIO+20) and at the UN Climate Change Conference Doha 2012. This is also the objective of the “Sustainable Energy for All” initiative launched by the United Nations. In this context, renewable energy has become a cornerstone of the UN strategy. The aim is to anticipate the solutions to avoid events that mortgage our common future over time. Access to basic, clean and affordable energy services is essential for sustainable development and poverty eradication and can provide major benefits in the areas of health, non-delocalized job creation, socio economic empowerment and equity.

ÂŠ Agua y Paz biosphere reserve. Costa Rica.

Sites of excellence to foster the integration of renewable energies Biosphere Reserves and World Heritage Sites are globally considered as sites of excellence where new and optimal practices for managing nature, heritage and sustainable human development are tested. The singularities of many of these sites and the compromises deriving from their designation mean, by their own definition, that they can become models of excellence to foster the integration of renewable energy for global sustainability. Biosphere reserves are sites established by countries and recognised under UNESCOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme to promote sustainable development based on local community efforts and sound science. By definition, they are ideal for testing and demonstrating innovative approaches to sustainable development from local to international scale. The World Network of Biosphere Reserves consists of a dynamic and interactive network made up of 610 biosphere reserves in 117 countries, including 12 trans-boundary sites.

ÂŠ Live & Learn Environmental Education. Isolated Floating House. Tonle Sap biosphere reserve.

Biosphere reserves are an effective instrument for mitigating climate change and serve as models for adaptation to the impacts of this change. This applies particularly in the domains of sustainable land use, green economies, safeguarding ecosystem services, energy efficiency and the use of renewable energies4. The Madrid Action Plan (MAP 2008-2013) is the framework document that sets out the strategy and objectives of Biosphere Reserves. When addressing the emerging challenge of climate change, this Action Plan calls for urgent action in relation to “emission reductions, energy efficiency and renewable energy production in a sustainable manner combined with more climate-friendly lifestyles. The barriers to these being put in place can be lack of political awareness of solutions and/or the willingness to implement them, inadequate or lack of technical capacity, economic uncertainty as well as the absence of an integrated approach to development planning5.” En 2012, the 24th session of the International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere (MaB) Programme stated that “the combination of coastal, island rural and urban ecosystem networking initiatives are important for promoting biosphere reserves (BRs) as sites for energy-efficient and renewable energy-driven development alternatives, thereby contributing to climate change mitigation efforts and to sustainable development in general”. The World Heritage List includes 962 properties forming part of the cultural and natural heritage that the World Heritage Committee considers as having outstanding universal value. At its 29th session, the World Heritage Committee highlighted the importance of climate change and its impact on World Heritage Sites (WHS), on their outstanding universal value, integrity and authenticity. World Heritage properties may support a variety of ongoing and proposed uses that are ecologically and culturally sustainable and which may contribute to the quality of life of communities concerned6. This combination of functions and criteria brings to consider the energy dimension as a key element in many of the sites. In conclusion, UNESCO designated sites can lead the way in terms of sustainable energy and climate change mitigation policies acting as exemplars for other sites and foremost inspire policies and practices of energy sustainability for no-designated sites globally. This should be operated by educating, disseminating best practices and mainstreaming energy through an integrated system embedded in the sites’ governance, whilst preserving the sites’ unique assets both at cultural and natural level, and fostering the wellbeing of their communities. 4 Dresden Declaration on Biosphere Reserves and Climate Change (2011). 5 Madrid Action Plan for Biosphere Reserves (2008–2013). 6 Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention (WHC. 13/01 July 2013).

Empowering local actors Find new ways of energy governance The need for a transition towards a new energy model is a challenge for many UNESCO sites. However the decision-making process is mainly a centralised-supply approach. The move towards renewable energy implies the democratisation and decentralisation of energy production. This change in energy model requires putting citizens at the centre of the energy system. In addition, each site has cultural and environmental features that should be respected. Cultural factors influence lifestyles, individual behaviour and energy consumption patterns, values related to environment stewardship and the ways in which we interact with our natural environment. There is much to learn from the energy management skills embedded within local, rural or indigenous peoples, including multi-use strategies of appropriation and small-scale production with little surplus and low energy needs4. 4 From Green Economies to Green Societies. UNESCOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Commitment to Sustainable Development (2011).

ÂŠ BDCR. Bro Dyfi. Dyfi biosphere reserve.

Experience shows that entrusting a local administration with power and responsibility always leads to better service and appropriate solutions. That involves local authorities, coordination structures or administrative entities with competence in UNESCO sites. Effective and sustainable solutions can only be achieved if local actors shape and drive their own agendas and take responsibility for the territory’s energy supply. Consistent with the principles of designation, UNESCO sites could become models of sustainable energy communities. “Sustainable Energy Communities” are communities that implement a set of sustainable energy policy measures in the field of renewable energy sources (RES) and rational use of energy (RUE) with a strong involvement of the local population in the planning and implementation process. Proposals for the development of local energy policies: • Eradicate energy poverty of local inhabitants, improving their living conditions and comfort without undermining their financial capacity and securing ownership and a self-sustaining management of their energy system. • Enable communities to lead local renewable energy projects to provide cost-effective sustainable energy services to all citizens. • A sense of ownership and of appropriateness of the concept of a sustainably-run site should be fostered among its social constituents (communities, users, local authorities, national governments), with dedicated actions and project-based activities carried out to bridge the gap between formal statements and substantial policies and practices. • Unite all stakeholders in a local energy alliance. They provide stakeholders with the opportunity to express their expectations, to enlarge their visions and to influence energy policies. • Ensure that public budgets integrate positive and negative energy externalities. • A dedicated and recognised supporting structure should be set in place, comprising experts with sufficient interdisciplinary skills to act as driving force for enhancing sustainable energy on site, empowering local actors, offering a voluntary service of mentoring and counselling on sustainable energy to citizens and local administrators. • Strengthen local dealers and developers and Integrate renewable energies into local development regulations. • Lead by example by transforming local energy management. Those actions are particularly relevant in public buildings, visitor centres or schools. • Make culture and local knowledge part of the sustainable energy transition process.

Towards a Climate & Energy vision Sustainable Energy Planning & Management Energy and environment issues cannot be dissociated with development concerns and they are linked to other physical resources like forest and agriculture, water, land, air, in fact the entire biosphere. All UNESCO sites have a specific local (geographical, climatic, cultural, environmental) context that impacts on energy demand and use. Managing the transition to a more sustainable energy system cannot be achieved without taking into account the societal, economic and environmental context in which the energy system is embedded. The keys to a sustainable energy policy in the UNESCO sites should be based on: • Rational use of energy, which involves avoiding energy waste by users and promotion of energy efficiency. • Sustainable use of renewable energy resources. • Diversification of the energy mix, both in terms of renewable energy sources used and of distributed and stand-alone generation systems The new energy model in UNESCO sites should include reducing the share of non-renewable sources among its goals, adapting this system to the support role, a clear commitment to renewable energy and developing mechanisms for local energy management with support of integrated planning. Its implementation depends on the ability to apply solutions based on the 3R strategy: ReduceReplace-Redesign. The first step is to reduce inefficiency and promote an adaptive approach to energy conservation. The second step is to replace inefficient fossil-based devices with better, greener technologies. In the Redesign stage, a Zero Carbon Site will be built, which will operate using renewable energies. The starting point is to determine current energy status, and to understand how local structures and procedures influence energy issues. It is necessary to define the local situation by collecting historical

data on energy production, distribution, and use – ideally producing a greenhouse gas emissions inventory to determine ‘problem sectors’ in terms of negative environmental impacts. The baseline review should be supplemented with a documented assessment of the effects of national and regional policies on local circumstances, such as legal requirements, political priorities, emerging issues and trends, as well as the citizens’ and other stakeholders’ interests, concerns and their level of awareness of energy issues. In that sense, public participation starts with the first step of the cycle. The second step in the management of energy is to revise or develop a strategy to steer the energy work in the site – what is referred to as the local energy, climate or environment plan. It describes the vision of the site and explains how to attain it by listing specific objectives, indicators, measurable targets, and actions. The strategy could be implemented through an action plan. A Sustainable Energy Plan is a document in which the UNESCO site outlines how it intends to reach its CO2 reduction target by medium and long term. It defines the activities and measures set up to achieve the targets, together with time frames and assigned responsibilities. The SE action plan serves as a link between the long-term vision and annual budgets. Some aspects to be considered in the sustainable energy planning process at UNESCO sites: • UNESCO designated sites should rely on an integrated management system that must include the sustainable energy dimension among its strategic components under the framework of sustainable development and climate change mitigation strategy. • Clear objectives, concrete sustainable energy action plans and reliable monitoring functions should all be put in place to ensure both compliance and effectiveness of declared sustainable energy principles on site. • Identify local energy potential in order to live within our means. • Improve security of energy supply, since it increases the share of indigenous energy and thus provides a more balanced and diversified energy mix. • Develop a clear strategy for rural electrification built on renewable sources of energy. • Promote decentralized renewable energy systems that deliver substantial economic and environmental benefits. • Curb CO2 emissions to the greatest extent possible by applying suitable energy efficiency measures combined with renewable energy systems, whenever applicable, according to the characteristics of the site and its zoning, finding a joint path between traditional knowledge/ expertise and advanced technologies and materials in a compatible and smart way • .

Responsible energy in UNESCO sites Safe, affordable, and environmentally friendly Access to clean energy has clear connections between human wellbeing and environment protection. Proper use of renewable energy in the UNESCO sites can help reduce the impacts and pressures on ecosystems and contribute to eradicating energy poverty. In UNESCO Sites, renewable energies should be regarded as common goods as well as ecosystem services. The question if an initiative is compatible or not to take advantage of a natural common good, such as the sun, wind, water, or biomass, at one site, would basically depend on: the action scale, the technology to be used, and the interest and wellbeing of the local populations involved. The use of a common energy resource should be done following sustainability criteria, without compromising natural resources and heritage. Clean, efficient, and decentralized energy supply can significantly contribute to sustainable value in rural and protected areas. At the same time the commitment to maximum use of renewable energies in these sensitive areas also faces new challenges, since a significant expansion often entails higher land use requirements4. 4 Position Paper of the MaB National Committee of Germany (2012).

ÂŠ Jose B. Cabajar. Banaue Rice Terraces, Ifugao. World Heritage Site. Philippines.

In UNESCO sites, special attention should be given to activities such as monocultures of energy crops, which sometimes have irreversible impacts on ecosystems. Landscape and land use changes resulting from large-scale renewable projects, such as wind and solar farms or hydropower, should also be considered. On the other hand, in several UNESCO sites renewable energies showed that they can be excellent allies in environment and heritage protection, for example by stopping deforestation. Most poor people and inhabitants of remote locations meet the majority of their energy needs by collecting biomass (fuel wood, agricultural waste, and dung). Many also have to use other expensive resources like kerosene. Use of biomass and kerosene has bearing on biodiversity and deforestation (through the impacts of collecting firewood and human-wildlife conflict), and equally to climate change since black carbon and kerosene are significant contributors to global warming. Renewable energies and energy efficiency can also contribute to a better preservation of the cultural properties by reducing emissions that affect their integrity and minimising negative impacts. Thus, a sustainable energy strategy consistent with the values to be protected in UNESCO sites should take into account the following aspects: • When scoping and designing renewable energy projects, or when determining planning applications for projects, developers and local authorities should always consider the impacts of the proposed development on the historic and natural environment, including its implications for archaeological remains, historic structures and buildings, natural habitats, landscapes, the historic character, and associations of the wider landscapepe5. • Prioritising both energy-related opportunities and conservation requirements, through the application of a holistic approach to sustainable sites’ activities in order to value the relationship between people and their places and engender a sense of long-term custodianship of the site’s tangible and intangible heritages. • The environmental, landscape, heritage integrity and social impacts of projects should be assessed and mitigated at the scheme-specific level. • Ensure a better integration of renewable energy technologies in the environment and improve the preservation of cultural heritage. • Know the territory’s metabolism so as to optimise local potential and reduce the impact of energy activities on the ecosystem. 5 Historic Environment – Local Management (English Heritage, 2012).

The energy transition of cities and towns in UNESCO sites Cities and towns in UNESCO sites can significantly reduce their ecological footprints and that they can become engines of innovation for green, climate-friendly economies, promote climate sensitive development, demonstrate energy efficiency, and advance the use of renewable energy sources4. Cities and towns across UNESCO sites can be forerunners in the transition towards a low carbon and resource efficient economy. A growing share of the population in UNESCO sites lives in urban areas and uses a high proportion of the energy. To meet the increasingly complex challenges of urban areas, an integrated and sustainable response is needed. Within the context of this integrated and sustainable urban approach there is a requirement for new, efficient, and user-friendly technologies and services, in particular in areas of energy and transport. 4 Shanghai Declaration on Urban Futures and Human and Ecosystem Wellbeing (UNESCO-MaB/SCOPE 2010).

ÂŠ Nicholas Heath. Changeworks. Edimburgh Renewable Heritage.World Heritage Site.

The climate protection programmes in the cities has not only succeeded in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improve the quality of life, but has also stimulated the economy considerably. The climate alliance offers a solution for an important question of communal welfare in UNESCO sites: cities as the energy user, and the surrounding area as its producer, can work together to find a renewable energy supply. In the case of historic cities, many developed solutions in the field of renovation are not compatible with or adequately adapted for use in historic buildings, due to the need to preserve authenticity and integrity. This is particularly the case for listed or protected buildings. Building conservation and energy efficiency are both key aspects of sustainability. Good levels of energy efficiency could protect the sustainability of traditional homes and historic buildings (both their fabric and their function), and ensure that householders achieve affordable warmth and improved comfort levels. It has also demonstrated that clean renewable energy can also be generated on site and on a much smaller scale, without compromising the quality and authenticity of the heritage. With the appropriate knowledge and good governance, microgeneration has a future role to play in historic cities. The scope for improved energy-efficiency of historic buildings is significant if addressed by holistic and deep renovation schemes that integrate innovative technologies, adapted standards and methodologies which consider the district dimension and stakeholder involvement. Criteria to follow in urban planning as a way of reducing energy use: • Promote integrated approaches to urban planning to satisfy housing, mobility and consumption needs in an energy-efficient way. • Prioritise the sustainable mobility and energy building refurbishment in urban planning instruments. • Increase the share of public transport, reduce car traffic, and promote ecomobility by focusing on public transport, cycling, and pedestrian traffic. • Ensure that new neighbourhoods are 100% renewable.

Renewable energies in action Implementation and monitoring To achieve the targets set out to a site, measures of different kinds have to be outlined and implemented. Energy measures can be split into soft and hard measures. Soft measures relate to education, behavioural and awareness-raising campaigns, and energy saving methods or the setup of a climate platform. Hard measures relate mostly to physical system refurbishments, implementation of new technology solutions, renewable energy source production, etc. The measures being implemented as part of the energy strategy are monitored and kept on track, or, when facing delays, action is taken to secure their continuation. In this way, monitoring also allows the local government to identify its progress with respect to the longer-term strategy. Monitoring is an essential part in the project implementation. Satellite imagery, energy atlases and maps (for example geographic information systems â&#x20AC;&#x201C; GIS as Biosphere SMART platform) can help to illuminate current constraints, and identify vulnerable areas. Greenhouse gas emission inventories also aid in the formation of a complete picture. All of these tools support transparency and serve as solid basis for informed decision-making.

ÂŠÂŠ Richard Baxter Aldabra Atoll. World Heritage Site.

The entity in charge of sustainable energy management at the site should be able to establish a range of improvement measures, from simple to more complex, and analyse their impact on the Site’s assets and communities. These measures should be implemented through an integrated approach combining practical solutions both from a conservation and an energy point of view with a dedicated monitoring system to assess achieved results. The leaders of energy management at the UNESCO site should be capable of a) supporting the delivery of effective and necessary actions of consultation and interface with public and private institutions, b) designing and coordinating community-based project implementation and monitoring functions on site and c) providing feedback to governing bodies on possible policy changes, relating with national/ international actors and possible donors to mobilise extra financial and institutional resources to increase the impact of its activities. At scale of a specific project, the following general considerations should be taken into account: • Involve all stakeholders in the design and implementation of the project. • Include a comprehensive energy audit as a preparatory step. • Consider and plan energy efficiency measures to reduce energy consumption. Demand reductions are more cost effective than some investments into renewables and should be fully explored first. • When defining the energy demand, consider the implementation of energy efficient measures for an economical system size since the system size dictates the investment costs. • Integrate the local community for long-term success of the project. • Build ownerships into project implementation. • Investments into energy efficiency and renewable energies can increase sustainability of the operation financing. • Consider the long-term maintenance of the system and select a reliable supplier who has a proven track record of implementation of similar projects and is able to offer post installation service. • Remote monitoring options for systems in isolated places can substantially reduce maintenance costs.

Safeguarding the future of renewable energies Capacity building and education Renewable energy technology development has accelerated tremendously in recent years; technology is improving constantly, making new renewables economically more competitive. Implementing those technologies requires human expertise and skilled professionals at all levels, from local communities up to the national or regional policymakers. Capacity development and training activities are essential to empower stakeholders to actively take part in shaping the future development of renewable energy in the UNESCO sites. The transition to green energies requires well trained professionals who are able to address and cope with different areas of the management and clean energy production. This includes also other related sectors of activity such as ecotourism, eco-design, building, transport and mobility, water production, and waste treatment. Recognizing that the supply of a skilled workforce is a critical element in the transfer of technology and due to the enormous needs for institutional and human resource development especially in the developing countries, UNESCO launched the Global Renewable Energy Education and Training (GREET) Programme as an instrument to help the international community address this issue.

ÂŠ Schorfheide-Chorin biosphere reserve, Germany. Solar research vessel.

GREET programme’s strategic objectives and main activities aiming to promote institutional and human capacity building reflect the need, especially in developing countries, for education in fundamental disciplines and specialised training for professionals at different levels of responsibility. The green energy transition will need also an information revolution. Publicity is vital to enlist support, disseminate information and galvanise efforts to initiate similar projects elsewhere. Addressing the challenge of a new sustainable energy model in UNESCO sites involves an increased use of alternative and renewable energy sources. It requires the availability of local competencies as well as endogenous scientific capacity as a foundation for increased knowledge of the various related technologies and their adaptation to different contexts and needs. Research and technology development and demonstration are essential to the transition to sustainable energy. To develop innovative, green solutions to address the climate and energy challenges, science, technology, research and development capacities for sustainable development must be strengthened in the UNESCO sites. • Enhance capacity building in the field of sustainable energy governance in UNESCO designated sites through dedicated training programmes, using the sites as learning cases, bringing together representatives from energy, cultural and environmental sectors, integrating natural and cultural conservation requirements with sustainable energy-related applications and innovation. • Enhance public awareness of the pathway to apply sustainable energy concepts and practices to UNESCO designated sites, as a part of the overall objective of Education for Sustainable Development, through science-based evidence sharing of direct experiences and successful case studies applied in other UNESCO sites as made available through the RENFORUS initiative. • Promote capacity building on integrated energy, transport mobility and land-use planning at community and site level. • Enhance problem solving capacity and critical thinking through the adoption of an interdisciplinary approach of sustainable energy issues. • Take advantage of the GREET program experience as an instrument to help the UNESCO sites in developing countries. • Using UNESCO sites as laboratories of research and development of renewable energy technologies.

Good Practices The way forward for renewable energy By drawing on decade-long experiences in World Heritage Sites to promote preservation of environmental and cultural assets, and in Biosphere Reserves to combine nature conservation objectives with sustainable development goals based on local community and private sector participation, the UNESCO Sites constitute a unique asset for exploring the role of renewable energy in reaching and promoting their important objectives. The large number of UNESCO Sites around the world, in critical ecosystems ranging from small islands to mega cities, makes it possible to build and share a comprehensive knowledge base on good practices and policies on the use of environmentally sound energy technologies and their adaptation to specific contexts and needs. UNESCO sites have the opportunity to become leaders when it comes to tackling the energy challenges of tomorrow. Some sites may lead the way in sustainable energy good-practices and become models of sustainable energy communities to follow. Success stories on sustainable and renewable energies in UNESCO Sites are a powerful tool to facilitate and promote change in the energy model and culture. A good practice is not only a sustainable energy practice that is good, but also a practice that has been proven to work well and produce good results, and is therefore recommended as a model. It is a successful experience, which has been tested and validated, in the broad sense and deserves to be shared so that other UNESCO sites can adopt it.

ÂŠ Christina Quanz.

The RENFORUS good practices are relevant examples of initiatives which the communities living in UNESCO sites have carried out in their territories, feel particularly proud of, and endorse as useful actions for other sites to replicate. As a whole, they represent the commitment of UNESCO sites to improve energy efficiency, reduce emissions and using renewable energy sources in a local level. The selected RENFORUS Good Practices are projects or initiatives that: • Demonstrate a positive contribution to use of the renewable energy and energy efficiency in UNESCO’s sites. • Represent a model of excellence to foster integration of renewable energies. • Aim to meet the needs of local population living in the UNESCO sites, as well as their right of access to clean and safe energy. • Encourage green economies, capacity building, and empowerment of local communities. • Make use of resources without jeopardising the ecosystem functions and the heritage values of UNESCO sites. • Provide examples of how to overcome barriers to RE technology deployment. • Contribute to ensure universal access to modern energy services. Good practices can serve as drivers for change the unsustainable patterns of energy consumption and production. In fact, the experience in UNESCO sites demonstrates that it is actually possible to achieve energy self-sufficiency using renewable energy sources in certain areas. Some UNESCO’s sites provides real solutions by developing a harmonious transition towards 100% renewable energy supply. The objective is to overcome barriers to the development of sustainable energy systems in UNESCO sites by: • Reinforcing RENFORUS network to spread knowledge and facilitating the exchange of experiences and good practices on sustainable energy. • Ensuring exchange of information, knowledge of consumer practices, motivations and barriers. • Implementing renewable energy policies in a coordinated manner using best practice examples with significant replication potential. • Removing barriers for renewable energy, stimulating best practices and raising awareness. • Using environmentally sound renewable energy good practices to serve as observatories for climate change mitigation.