From January 29th to February 2nd, 2024, employees of the Department of Energy Management and Climate at the Lublin City Office - Anna Pawłowska, Anna Łukowska-Łysek, and Marcin Blachani - went on a study visit to Norway (Oslo, Skien, and nearby areas). The aim was to acquire knowledge and exchange experiences between Polish and Norwegian municipalities in increasing energy efficiency and green transformation. Representatives of the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS) also participated in the meetings. Apart from them, representatives of Polish cities that were winners, finalists, or received an honourable mention in the ‘Local Government Leader of Governance 2023 - Urban Energy Transformation for Climate Neutrality and Life Quality Improvement’ competition participated in the study visit.
During the trip, cities in the Østlandet region of southeastern Norway were visited, including Skien and Porsgrunn (located in Telemark County) as well as Oslo. Several people representing municipalities, associations, and municipal companies from Konin, Gdańsk, Gdynia, Poznań, Lądek-Zdrój, Ostrów Wielkopolski, Tychy, and Lublin participated in the visit. Issues related to climate change adaptation, climate neutrality, and ecological investments in public facilities were discussed during the meetings. A visit to a centre providing care for the elderly and a meeting with representatives of the Herøya Industripark were organised. The main challenges and goals on the way to energy transformation were presented during the meeting. In Oslo, there were presentations regarding the work of KS and Norwegian municipalities in the circular economy, energy efficiency, and innovative and ecological public procurement.
Participation in the study visit facilitated the exchange of experiences with both Norwegian and other Polish municipalities regarding activities aimed at improving energy efficiency. The meetings provided an opportunity for discussions about the challenges identified by local Polish and Norwegian governments and the industry sector that blocks the energy-climate transformation process. It is recommended to continue such visits and exchange experiences within energy efficiency and green transformation.
The competition was organised as part of the ‘Local Development’ Programme, funded by the EEA and Norway Grants 2014-2021. The project was led by the Association of Polish Cities together with the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities KS, the Institute of Urban and Regional Development, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy was the project’s operator.
