Environmental Sustainability and Regional Competitiveness: Innovative Steps by a Local Public Authority towards Energy Saving

Abstract

Public local authorities are among the key players not only for assisting a nation to achieve its strategic energy goals but also for raising awareness towards relevant topics among its citizens. Yet, there has been little research on their role in this policy agenda. This paper aims to fill this gap by highlighting the significance of a local authority's outcomes, in the environmental sustainability sphere, by its participation in various projects and EU programs. The reference years are 2014 to 2019 and the focus area is energy savings in public buildings and raising awareness on energy issues and sustainable development. This article's aim is to outline the derived add value towards regional competitiveness and environmental sustainability from each action. Hersonisos Municipality's holistic approach aims to reduce its overall energy balance and to point out that local authorities can become both a beckon of sustainability and a regional development pillar.