Green governance and green clusters: regional & national policies for the climate change challenge of Central & Eastern Europe

Abstract

This paper focuses on the climate change challenge faced by Central & Eastern European countries both those inside the European Union and those outside it. They have enormous energy intensity and associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, mainly from energy production, which is oil, and worse, coal-fired power stations. As a group of blocs, CEE is a significant actor on the global climate change canvas. Their actions can make a difference. But there are numerous regulatory constraints that make this currently difficult. With the onset of a new global regime consequent on the renegotiation of acceptable levels of GHG emissions at Bali in 2007, to be ratified in Copenhagen in 2009, all countries with levels such a those in CEE will have to reduce emissions significantly as will countries throughout the world, especially the 'big burners' like USA and China. With some data and textured case illustrations the article points the way to mitigation of emissions by learning from Denmark, the world leader as a 'green economy' and Wales, part of the UK which has a long established heavy industry tradition comparable to many CEE countries and where positive change is underway from unlikely sources. JEL: A14; O33; R11; R58Keywords: Green governance; Green innovation; Green clusters; Renewable energy; Wind turbines; Solar thermal energy; Biofuels BackgroundThis contribution involves reflecting on the variety of governance and policy responses by cities to climate change. Climate change refers to the historically measurable increasing rate of atmospheric 'greenhouse gases', particularly carbon dioxide (CO 2 ).While there is debate about the causes of climate change, there is consensus that human activity has made a contribution to it since the onset of industrialisation and especially in the very recent past (Bastianoni et al. 2004). The future contribution of cities to mitigating climate change will concentrate upon the four key content areas that research has shown to be main contributors to increased CO 2 and other greenhouse gases, all of which are connected to urban governance. These are food consumption, passenger transport, energy use and municipal waste. Following one of the numerous Stockholm Environment Institute's reports (Stockholm Environment Institute 2005) consumption of food accounts for some 24 % of emissions making up a

Policy Analysis to Reduce Climate Change-Induced Risks in Urban and Rural Areas in Korea

“…Research on the impact of climate change has dealt with environmental issues, as well as social and economic issues such as health, agriculture, forestry, water resources, ecology, industry, and human habitation, to name just a few. In addition, some climate change studies deal with administrative and governance issues [12]. However, most studies have focused on specific areas within a certain academic discipline, without due attention to the interrelated and interactive effects of climate change on the environment, society, and the economy.…”

How do we conquer the growth limits of capitalism? Schumpeterian Dynamics of Open Innovation

“…5). Green economy can become the interaction between Closed Innovation sub economy and Social Innovation sub economy (Cooke, 2015).…”

Does a Board Chairman’s Political Connection Affect Green Investment?—From a Sustainable Perspective

“…The concept can be interpreted in two ways. First, it means taking actions to support a green environment, such as resource conservation [10]. Second, it means using governance mechanisms to influence firms' green practices.…”