ESC Concept - Introduction

Energy Sustainable Communities (ESC) are characterised by having implemented a set of sustainable energy policy measures in the field of renewable energy (RES) as well as rational use of energy (RUE), thereby contributing to sustainable development in their area and involving the local population in the planning and implementation process.

The ESC approach is a community-based approach where action is to come from the political authorities on the basis of community development of common interests and needs. The overall aim is to improve the livelihood of the community, where prosperity is only increased if it does prevent the depletion of natural capital. The action is taken on the local level and is constrained by the given policy and legal framework at the international and national levels. There are many reasons why it is essential to find alternatives towards a more sustainable and efficient pattern of electricity and heat generation, distribution and use. Among them is the evidence that shows that conventional large-scale fossil fuel plants and nuclear powered electricity generation plants result in significant emissions of carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, as well as leading to other harmful effects on the environment. The benefits of becoming an ESC are extensive. Among them: energy independence, environmental, economic and social benefits such as job creation, CO2 reduction, etc. The guide stresses how important it is to disseminate information on the benefits. They play an important role in generating support for the action towards sustainable development.

When considering ESC as pilot communities, it is mandatory to regard energy as the transversal axis in all ‘sustainable development dimensions’ – the social, environmental, economic, technological, sectoral, preparation and training, education and political dimension.

A guide was developed within the project “Sustainable Communities“ (Contract No. NN5/2002/54) of the European Commission, which brings different aspects of sustainable communities together, thus creating a platform of information exchange. It summarises the findings of the key-actor discussion groups of the Sustainable Communities project and aims at disseminating information about Energy Sustainable Communities (ESC) and information about the way how to become an ESC. It thus generates a comprehensive overview of key-success factors of ESC, it demonstrates the benefits of becoming an ESC and it introduces some relevant indicators of ESC. You will also find a scientific overview of the technological, socio-economic, political and administrative issues crucial for the implementation of the ESC concept within the guide. The guide provides an overview of the concept of Sustainable Development and links the evolution of the concept of sustainability (from the Rio Conference, to the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg to today) with the ESC approach.
The ESC concept can be implemented at different levels, i.e. municipalities, urban areas, regions, rural zones, industrial areas and islands. Experiences of actors who have already successfully implemented the ESC concept have been taken into account in the guide.
General indicators of ESC (elements of ESC) can roughly be categorised into 10 sections. They deal with RES and RUE, among others. The use of sustainable energy, i.e. the use of RES, is indeed closely linked to the RUE since the objectives of sustainable energy development will only be fulfilled if both areas – RES and RUE - are exploited.
The chapter Central and Eastern European Countries’ Characteristics analyses the obstacles for RES and RUE development in these countries. The chapter however puts emphasis on the positive results achieved so far not forgetting to also stress the replication potential in Central and Eastern Europe.