UNDP issues public call to apply for preparation of Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) has issued a public call to local governments in BiH to apply for the preparation of their Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP).

The public call was issued in early January, and the deadline to submit applications is February 15, 2019.

The Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP), i.e. the new Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP) is a key document outlining how local authorities will help implement concrete actions aimed at improving climate adaptation capacities at the local level and support efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, according to the public call.

The SECAP defines concrete measures to cut CO2 emissions, as well as timeframes and responsibilities, to turn a long-term strategy into specific implementable action.

The focus is on programs and activities to save energy in local governments’ public buildings that are major consumers of energy, for example for heating and lighting. Significant measures to reduce energy consumption can be achieved in the provision of other public services as well, such as public transportation and public lighting.

Local authorities can help inform and motivate citizens, businesses, and other entities on the local level to consume energy more efficiently. They can implement campaigns to raise awareness of the entire community about the importance of supporting energy efficiency policies. At the same time, they can promote local energy production by financially supporting the implementation of citizens’ projects and initiatives to use renewable energy sources, according to the text of the invitation.

The documentation accompanying applications must contain a municipality’s or a city’s statement it is ready to provide at least 30% of financing for energy efficiency measures to be proposed under the SECAP, as well as any local studies, action plans, strategies, etc. referring to sustainable energy and climate change.

Catalyzing Environmental Finance for Low-Carbon Urban Development

The preparation of SECAPs for selected local governments will be carried out as part of the Catalyzing Environmental Finance for Low-Carbon Urban Development project.

The project is implemented by the UNDP in BiH in 2018-2022.

Some of the project goals include investment in launching the low-carbon urban development concept (LUCD) in BiH, GHG emission cuts, and diversifying and boosting investments in LCUD in BiH.