A City Capability Assessment Framework Focusing on Planning, Financing, and Implementing Sustainable Energy Projects

Niki-Artemis Spyridaki,Nikos Kleanthis,Alexandros Flamos,Mia Dragović Matosović,Dimitra Tzani

doi:10.3390/su12208447

Niki-Artemis Spyridaki, Nikos Kleanthis + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su12208447

Copy DOI

Abstract

Cities are critical actors in reducing global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; the level of knowledge, skills, and capacity, especially regarding innovative project planning such as sustainable energy (SE) projects, is fundamental for cities to meet their untapped potential. A range of indicator-based frameworks have been developed, focusing on general city economic competitiveness, yet these are often disconnected from the actual city operation and processes relevant to the investment cycle of SE projects. This paper proposes an integrated methodology for developing a City Capability Assessment Framework focusing on city planning, financing, and implementation capacity for SE projects. A principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to the results of a European city-survey to uncover areas highly relevant for the successful implementation of local SE projects. The insights gained aid policymakers to better understand implementation barriers, leading to the development of more effective actions and policy interventions towards the implementation of SE projects. The proposed framework can further enhance cities’ efforts with the implementation of local SE projects and guide potential investors to properly evaluate city capabilities and potential, when choosing local investment projects.

Highlights

The Paris Agreement at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) has essentialized actions and investments addressing climate change and leading towards a sustainable low-carbon future
The represented cities have a variety of market and financial conditions, different experience levels in SE and Climate Action Plans (SECAPs)-related investments, and wide-ranging populations
This study had two aims: (i) to present an integrated methodology for the development of a City Capability Assessment Framework based on principal component analysis (PCA) and (ii) to investigate the main factors that influence the entire process of developing sustainable energy (SE) investments at the local level

Summary

Introduction

The Paris Agreement at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) has essentialized actions and investments addressing climate change and leading towards a sustainable low-carbon future. Considering the post-pandemic economic challenges, it is essential for cities to build resilience to prepare and respond to sudden shocks [4,5] by planning holistically [6]. Towards this direction, cities should exploit integrated frameworks that combine sustainability and resilience indicators at the local level [7,8] and focus on investments that generate savings and have a beneficial side-effect on the health and wellbeing of their citizens. The Index proposed by the Centre of Globalization and Strategy of IESE Business School provides a comprehensive set of indices through 10 fundamental dimensions, describing all aspects of local economic development [27]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion