Join Heat Roadmap Europe and ICLEI Europe at the European Week of Regions and Cities (EWRC), for a strategic talk on financing and framework conditions for one of the most cost-efficient sub-national pathways for decarbonising H&C that is bridging the urban-rural divide along the way: Heat Synergy Regions (HSR).

This 90 min session will address the key role of local and regional actors for transforming H&C by providing decision- and policy-makers with the know-how to identify cross-territorial energy policy strategies and innovative, sound financing schemes.

At the heart of HSR are resource-efficient, climate-resilient and low-carbon - district heating and cooling (DHC) systems. As a local, regional, national or European level official you will learn how to identify potential synergy regions and how to make investments with positive territorial impacts.

Panellists will exchange in two consecutive rounds with the audience. The 1st round on shaping policies for Heat Synergy Regions will provide political and technical decision-makers with replicable insights on actionable policies with territorial benefits. With structural funds and public budgets under pressure, the 2nd round will analyse replicable investment models across regions and offer innovative ideas blending public and private financing for HSRs.

Questions to be addressed:

• Why does H&C matter for my local/regional Energy Efficiency/Renewable Energy Action Plan (NEEAP/NREAP)?
• What heating and cooling options are most suited for my rural/urban context?
• How can European Regional Development Funds facilitate and finance low-carbon heating?
• What framework conditions can help to politically access and build Heat Synergy Regions?
• What does industry need (to do) to deliver resource-efficient and low-carbon DHC systems?

Speakers include:

Susana Paardekooper, Aalborg University, Coordinator of the HRE4 Project
Carsten Rothballer, ICLEI Europe, Coordinator Sustainable Resources, Climate and Resilience
Kata Tütto, Budapest City Council and Member of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR)
Françoise Bey, Deputy Mayor of Strasbourg, Vice-President of the Eurométropole Strasbourg
Maud Skäringer, European Commission Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy

Interpretation will be availabe in EN, FR and IT

~ Participants are kindly invited to join the networking lunch taking place after the session ~