It is widely accepted that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions need to be reduced globally to tackle climate change and that increasing energy efficiency and implementing renewable energy solutions is a fundamental prerequisite. The EU has set ambitious targets for emissions reduction, increasing energy efficiency, and using energy from renewable resources. All member states have mandatory targets for 2020 to reduce their GHG emissions below 2005 levels, increase their share of energy from renewable resources, and increase their energy efficiency. This forms part of the EU Climate and Energy package 20-20-20. Moreover, the EU has proposed targets to further reduce GHGs by 2030.

In this context, Leitrim County Council will host an energy policy seminar - Low Carbon Policy Benefits, funded through the SECURE project. The goal of SECURE is to build Smarter Energy Communities in Northern and Arctic Regions. 

Presentations will be made by policy experts at an Irish, European and International level, and topics will cover energy policy, public sector energy efficiency, renewable energy solutions, community energy initiatives, and implications for local economies. 

Project partners have documented Good Practices from the EU and Atlantic Canada, completed community energy surveys, and analysed the low-carbon situation in their regions. They have commenced the transfer and implementation of various energy services into their regions. As a result, the project has identified a series of policy recommendations and initiatives which will also be disseminated.

The SECURE project is led by ERNACT (Ireland). The partners are Donegal County Council and Leitrim County Council (Ireland), Derry City & Strabane District Council (Northern Ireland), Karelia University of Applied Science (Finland), Association of Local Authorities in Västernorrland (Sweden), Umhvørvisstovan (Faroe Islands) and the Ecology Action Centre (Canada). Associate partners include the Northern and Western Regional Assembly (Ireland), Mid-Sweden University (Sweden) and the Regional Council of North Karelia (Finland).

Picture by Ros Kavanagh.