Abstract
This study presents the case of a Metropolitan Municipality in the Aegean Region of Turkey, which undertook a series of initiatives to conduct projects on environmental protection and sustainability. This case study was conducted as two separate studies as a part of Horizon 2020-funded ECHOES project under Work Package 6, aiming to gain insight into the collective magnitudes of energy-related choices and behavior. The starting point of the process is marked, in 2015, by the municipality becoming a party to the Covenant of Mayors movement, joining around 8,000 signatories from over 50 countries. In line with European Union’s (EU’s) climate targets and associated energy-related policies, signatories of the Covenant of Mayors aim to decrease carbon emissions by 20% by 2020 and by 40% by 2030. In order to enhance the design and operationalization of policies for achieving these targets, each partner in the Covenant of Mayors is required to develop a Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP). The SEAP is to be prepared within 2 years of becoming a party to the Covenant of Mayors and involves action plans and projects in order to operationalize the strategies for achieving the associated targets. To this end, this study analyzes the Metropolitan Municipality’s SEAP and its components, which include zero-emission public transportation project, transformation of existing buildings to a more energy-efficient standard and related energy audit studies, a project for decreasing waiting periods in traffic via a Smart Traffic System, a pedestrianization project, and a project for increasing the use of geothermal energy for district heating. This study set out to identify the internal and external factors, as well as bottom-up and top-down mechanisms involved in various phases of the preparation and implementation of the SEAP. The research method was expert interviews, incorporating viewpoints and perceptions of stakeholders from different levels of the municipality. Among the key results are understanding the roles of enthusiasts and frontrunners in such initiative and the importance of top-management and central government support.
Highlights
In the last decade, the significance and impacts of environmental concerns have become globally recognized
Andor and Fels (2018) analyze four categories of nonprice interventions aimed at households, concluding that, to varying degrees, all can be effective in developing energy conservation behaviors
Zero-emission public transportation project is of particular importance, involving the increased use of renewable energy, decreased carbon emissions in transportation, and local communities’ energy self-sufficiency implementations
Summary
The significance and impacts of environmental concerns have become globally recognized. Climate change and adaptation efforts are not solely the domain of central governments; local governments, communities, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and industry clearly have significant roles and responsibilities Owing to their local power, and the development of leaner and more dynamic structures, local governments have implemented many initiatives regarding environmental issues and sustainability. The share of renewable sources in Turkey’s energy production is 49%, of which hydro contributes 17.9%; geothermal, 14.8%; biomass, 10.1%; and wind and solar, 3.1% each [International Energy Agency (IEA), 2017] This perspective on climate change, reduction of carbon emissions, related initiatives, and energy security concerns highlights the role of the concept of energy self-sufficiency and associated initiatives in general, and in particular, for local communities. The deliberate choice of interviewees to include all decision-making levels enhances the analysis of the institutional and governance framework dynamics
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
