SUDEP South SM presented its methodology “Cities and Climate Actions: Stories from the Field” at the Beirut Energy Forum in Lebanon. Naceur Hammami, Team Leader of this EU funded project, shared with the more than 300 participants the success stories and outputs of SUDEP South. Hammami presented the work done during the three years of implementation showing a documentary that showcases the technical achievements in energy efficiency and renewable energy matters in the twelve participating municipalities.

The intervention of SUDEP South is presented in the framework of the session ‘Il Mare Nostrum: Fostering the Euro-Med Cooperation’ that was opened by Ms. Irène Mingasson, Head of Unit Regional Cooperation Neighborhood South, DG NEAR, European Commission. Mingasson focused on the European Union energy policy in the European Neighbourhood South Policy Context.

Other EU funded initiatives under the umbrella of the DG NEAR, Clima South and CES-MED, presented its outcomes and experiences on the energy efficiency and renewable energy sectors in the Southern Mediterranean.

SUDEP showcasing its experience at the BEF

During the three days of this international conference, SUDEP is showcasing its achievements and presenting its regional strategy, from local to regional, through a booth where visitors to the BEF are learning of the successful stories of SUDEP South SM, exchanging best practices across the region and disseminating the work done. The SUDEP South SM stand was inaugurated by the Lebanese Minister of Energy, César Abi Khalil, who was briefed by the SUDEP South team on the Lebanese achievements of the project.

On the occasion of the BEF, the SUDEP South Ardeh project organized, in collaboration with the René Moawad Foundation, a closing event of the project that gathered more than 250 mayors across Lebanon. Ms. Mingason, together with Mr. Hammami presented the successes of this initiative that has brought to the municipality of Ardeh energy savings of more than 60 %.

The SUDEP-South project began in early 2015 with 12 cities in 6 countries of the southern Mediterranean. The objective of the SUDEP Programme is to assist local authorities in responding to the sustainable energy challenges and to enable them to implement sustainable energy actions leading to energy savings, energy efficiency and more use of renewable energy sources such as solar energy.

SUDEP support mechanism activities are mainly focused on:

1.      Assistance to local authorities and reinforcing their capacities and their partners in the implementation of the demonstration projects.

2.      Promotion for the replication of innovative actions and the visibility of the programme’s results.

3.      Creation of an enabling environment for the exchange of good practices between project beneficiaries.

4.      And finally the development of their own local strategies to ensure widespread dissemination and sustainability of their projects.