Abstract
BackgroundA sustainable energy system based on renewables, energy-efficiency, decentralisation of energy generation and synergies between different sectors requires new energy planning methods and policies. Energy transition and climate change mitigation achievement can no longer be seen only through top-down activities from a national government. Local and regional governments have a crucial role in delivering public policies relevant to such endeavour. Therefore, the implementation of multilevel governance (MLG) has become a priority for fostering local and regional development more inclusively. Paper analyses the existing energy planning governance in Austria throughout the MLG structure by focusing on the alignment between the local energy and climate initiatives and the national and EU goals. Also, the paper examined the effectiveness of the current MLG structures and outlined the fields where improvements are needed. The successfulness of the MLG approach is shown on Judenburg city case study. Desk research is enhanced by a series of interviews with energy policy experts and implementation of case study measures in TIMES model.ResultsThe MLG analysis showed the solid alignment of different governance levels. In contrast, the comparison of the energy and climate initiatives on the local level outlined recommendations for the design of more effective energy planning approach. Four areas of action are identified for further improvement: territorial fragmentation, data availability, spatial energy planning and new integrated MLG. The remaining non-conventional biomass potential of the Murtal region is enough to increase the share of district heating for the residential buildings of the Judenburg city from 16.3 to 30.8% while the building refurbishment increases district heating share to 32%.ConclusionApplication of MLG analysis demonstrated the alignment of energy targets in Austrian policy on different governance levels. The general willingness of Austrian municipalities to take part in local energy actions was shown through the local initiatives’ analysis. It is argued that strengthening the listed areas of work is necessary to raise the effectiveness of the local initiatives. The case study for the city of Judenburg developed in the TIMES model confirmed that coordinated actions from different levels of governance lead to effective implementation of measures.
Highlights
A sustainable energy system based on renewables, energy-efficiency, decentralisation of energy generation and synergies between different sectors requires new energy planning methods and policies
At the local self-administration, the municipal administration of 2098 municipalities In Austria, there are 94 administrative districts representing organisational authorities integrated into the administration of federal provinces or within a greater city
Future research should include mapping the renewable energy potential and energy demand to develop the method for designing energy zones on the local and Conclusions The application of multilevel governance (MLG) governance approach to the Austrian energy policy system showed that energy transition goals and pathways are in line with the global and European energy targets at all level of authorities from national, provincial to local, namely cities and municipalities
Summary
A sustainable energy system based on renewables, energy-efficiency, decentralisation of energy generation and synergies between different sectors requires new energy planning methods and policies. The implementation of multilevel governance (MLG) has become a priority for fostering local and regional development more inclusively. Paper analyses the existing energy planning governance in Austria throughout the MLG structure by focusing on the alignment between the local energy and climate initiatives and the national and EU goals. A sustainable energy transition requires a transformation in both the energy sector and society This requires actions to be transposed into energy and climate policies developed in the coordination of multiple levels of Dobravec et al Energ Sustain Soc (2021) 11:2 indispensable from the mobilisation of all the governance levels, including the sub-national level [3]. Local climate policies and initiatives need to be massively expanded and upscaled throughout multilevel energy governance [4]. The importance of the governance transition and complexity of policy change has been highlighted in Söderholm et al [8] through an assessment of several energy scenario studies
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