Abstract
Abstract Targets set by the European Green Deal to increase efficiency, reach towards sustainable development and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions have placed additional focus on necessary improvements in heating and cooling sector. This article aims to determine whether the objectives set at the EU and on the member state level for achieving climate and environmental goals are being implemented at the regional and local levels. The case of Latvia is considered. A keyword extraction text analysis method is used to identify whether improving the efficiency of heating and cooling is included in regional and local sustainable development strategies. Results are evaluated by using multi-criteria analysis methods TOPSIS and AHP, to determine how much attention in the strategies is paid to direct heating and cooling supply aspects and overall efficiency aspects. Results obtained while assessing the sustainable development strategies of cities and municipalities are compared with the climate index of their heating supply. Considerable differences can be seen in the inclusion of heating and cooling efficiency improvement plans in the strategies at regional and local levels.
Highlights
Sustainable development cannot be solely based on a voluntary action of society or individual companies
Summarizing the results of planning regions (PR) sustainable development strategies (Table 3), it can be seen that the highest indicator was shown by Vidzeme PR with 87 points, the second highest was shown by Zemgale PR with 61 points, Kurzeme PR took the third place with 43 points
The fourth highest result was presented by Riga PR – 31 points, and the lowest result was shown by Latgale PR – only 6.5 points
Summary
Sustainable development cannot be solely based on a voluntary action of society or individual companies. Governments must not see environmental and energy efficiency issues as separate, detached entities from other policies that initially concentrate on economic, social, juridical, or other everyday issues. States need to look at the wider picture and link the environmental component to any political decision [1]. Application of specific policy instruments at each governing level could enhance the effectiveness of policy instruments used [2]. Primary policy goals and directions should be developed globally or at the EU level, specified and structured at the national level and met at the local level, considering regional specificities [3]
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