On June 13-14, 2024, the seminar "Cities and Municipalities on the Path to Climate Neutrality" took place in Jadwisin. It was organized by the Association of Municipalities Polish Network Energie Cités, celebrating its 30th anniversary. The event was attended by nearly 70 representatives from cities and municipalities. The seminar served as a platform for discussion about local actions toward energy transition and climate neutrality, with experts from the Ministry of Climate and Environment, the National Energy Conservation Agency, and the Institute for Sustainable Development, among others.
One of the key elements of the seminar was a debate on accelerating the energy transition process at the local level, involving representatives of local authorities and experts. The discussion highlighted the need for greater involvement of local governments in decision-making processes, emphasizing their crucial role in decentralizing the energy system.
Roundtable sessions allowed participants to deepen their knowledge of effective energy management, the creation of energy communities, and the practical aspects of energy transition. Special attention was given to energy management in municipalities, as well as forms of social units, such as energy cooperatives. Representatives from Bydgoszcz engaged with participants on the practical aspects of energy management in the city, drawing on the experiences of the Bydgoszcz City Hall and solutions proposed within the DUET project. This forum provided the city with another opportunity to showcase its climate and energy efforts, inform about the enhanced energy database and energy management tool, and invite businesses and NGOs to collaborate and share their ideas for further sustainable development or their involvement in climate and energy actions.
The event enabled participants to exchange experiences, establish new contacts, and discuss the challenges of energy transition at the local level. The knowledge gained will facilitate the implementation and updating of local documents and the integration of strategic documents in cities.