On Tuesday November 20th, AREBS (Seraing) was invited to discuss its sustainable energy action plan in a debate called “the Energy transition, an opportunity for creating jobs and improving quality of life?” in collaboration with APERe (association for the promotion of renewable energy) and CSC union as part of the RISE network, an inter-union network raising awareness on environmental issues for their members.
In Wallonia (southern region of Belgium), over 200 municipalities have committed to be involved in the energy transition, that is almost 80%. Seraing is one of them and has been participating in various projects over the past decade to improve the resilience of its territory and involve local stakeholders (companies, residents, local administrations, etc.). In 2013, through the adoption of its Climate Action Plan (SEAP), the city committed to reduce its CO2 emissions by 20% by 2020 and then signed the Covenant of Mayors and joined this international initiative.
APERe presented a new methodology set up to determine the potential creation of jobs in the (local) economy through the implementation of the objectives and projects of the SEAP. It is promising but the issue is now to ensure that these jobs can be created locally and be of good quality.
With over 30 participants, the debate highlighted the need to involve all local stakeholders to change our way of life and our mentalities to face the challenges of the energy transition, locally but also at many other levels.
Through its participation to REMOURBAN as well as many other projects, the city of Seraing wishes to find innovative and smart solutions to improve its resilience and enhance the quality of life and environment of its citizens. A big challenge for the future!
21 November 2018