Introduction of Regional Environmental Center for Central

and Eastern Europe

19-20 November, 2007

Zsuzsanna IvanyiHead of Climate Change Department

Our Mission

“(…) The REC is a non-partisan, non-advocacy, not-for-profit international organisation with a mission to assist in solving environmental problems (…)”

The REC fulfils its mission by promoting cooperation of all environmental stakeholders, and by supporting the free exchange of information and public participation in environmental decision making

The REC is legally based on a charter signed by the governments of 28 countries and the European Commission

Mission in Practice

• RESEARCHING AND MONITORING • ASSESSING THE NEEDS

• RAISING AWARENESS• PROVIDING INFORMATION

• PROMOTING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION• BUILDING CAPACITY

• PROVIDING CONSULTATIVE SUPPORT TO ACTUAL PROBLEM SOLVING

Bridges- Across Borders

Government

LocalGovernments

Business

Citizens

NGOs

The REC

Government NGOs

LocalGovernments

Business

Citizens

The REC Network

Head OfficeSzentendre, Hungary

16 COs

3 FOs

Operations

beyond Central

and Eastern

Europe (CEE)

Project ImplementationProgrammes:

Business and EnvironmentCapacity Building Climate Change Environmental Law Environmental Policy and Local Initiatives Information NGO SupportPublic Participation

Funds: Italian Trust Fund Japan Special Fund

Climate Change Programme

WHAT WE DO:

Support countries in CEE and beyond in reforming their policies, disseminate best practices, and facilitate capacity building through:

Providing services to governments to identify barriers of compliance and to develop national climate change strategies

Building capacities for different stakeholders Collecting and analysing information Disseminating information through workshops,

conferences and trainings including various stakeholders

Promoting the spread of renewable energy sources and energy-saving technologies

Selected Activities in 2007

Assessment of the effectiveness of climate related policies and measures in the enlarged EU

Contribution to the EEA Report: Greenhouse gases emission trends and projections in Europe 2007 in cooperation with EEA/ETC

Assistance in developing new mechanisms such as Green Investment Scheme (GIS) in Romania and Ukraine

Promoting of institutional, administrative and legal background for CDM in Macedonia and Serbia

Dissemination of information on IPCC Report and Stern Review

Contribution to the preparation of Belgrade Initiative on Enhancing SEE cooperation in the field of CC (presented at the EfE conference, October 2007, Belgrade)

Case studies on adaptation measures (Albania, BiH, Serbia and Turkey, addressing the potential impacts in water sector, forestry and agriculture)

Some plans for 2008

•Co-operation with EEA/ETC to prepare EEA Report on GHG emission trends and projections in Europe 2008 and in the field of adaptation to climate change

•Promotion of activities of the REC as Regional Focal point for Article 6 of the UNFCCC

•Facilitation of climate policy in EITs for the post Kyoto period

•Promotion of Flexible Mechanisms and GIS

• Enhance SEE sub-regional cooperation in the field of climate change: elaboration of Regional Framework Action Programme.

Invitation for:

1. Side events at COP 13 (7 and 14 December, 2007)

2. Opening of renewed conference center in HQ

(scheduled for spring 2008)

The aim is to reduce fossil-fuel based energy consumption to zero, and thereby eliminate all CO2 emissions through:minimising energy demand using local energy resources

ZERO EMMISSION DETAILS•Energy systems and architecture have been designed in a modern and integrated approach•High energy efficiency•Minimise heat loss in winter, prevent heat gains in summer and maximise the exploitation of natural lighting•a „light shelf” will diffuses natural light throughout the interior•Photovoltaic system generating 22,300 KWh of energy annually•A ground source heat pump will be the primary source of heating and cooling to utilize the area's wealth of geothermal resources.

Thank you for your attention

www.rec.org