Investing in sustainable growth Sustainability Programme 2010 – 2014 Summary

 

Investing in sustainable growth Sustainability Programme 2010 -2014 Summary

A clean, green and healthy city with a strong sustainable economy. That is the aim of the Rotterdam city council’s new Sustainability Programme. Reducing CO2 emissions by 50%, preparing for the consequences of climate change, improving the air quality and reducing noise levels are the key aspects of the program. The city council is investing €31 million to help achieve these green goals; and during this council term, the council aims to ensure that at least € 350 million are invested in sustainability. In addition to other effects this will contribute to increasing employment in Rotterdam. This program will lead to better living conditions for the people of Rotterdam and transform Rotterdam into an even more attractive city for businesses. The city council has encouraged inhabitants, businesses, colleges and universities to become closely involved in drawing up the plans. Over recent months many dialogues and meetings were organised and more than 60 parties have commented on the working document. All these comments, suggestions and ideas have been incorporated in the Sustainability Program. Ten Tasks for Rotterdam The Sustainability Program formulates the ten most important tasks for the period until 2014 and includes 89 concrete activities to help perform these tasks. In this way Rotterdam aims to take the lead in reducing CO2 and will halve its CO2 emissions by 2025. Currently the Rijnmond region produces 16% of all CO2 emissions in the Netherlands. If no other measures are taken, emissions will have doubled by 2025. For this reason we are focusing on CO2 capture, transport and storage (CCS). In addition Rotterdam aims to reduce energy consumption, improve the competitive position of its industry, promote the development of new technologies and stimulate employment. Rotterdam is also focusing on the transition to renewable energy generation such as wind and solar energy as well stimulating the use of sustainably produced biomass raw materials. To improve the air quality and reduce noise levels Rotterdam is stimulating sustainable mobility and transport. One spearhead is to stimulate the use of electric vehicles by installing a network of 1000 (re)-charging points, replacing 4000 petrol fuelled scooter with electric scooters, extending the city’s fleet of electric vehicles and creating an electric transport centre to allow inhabitants and businesses to experience electric vehicles first-hand. The city council’s target for noise control is that the noise levels due to road-traffic experienced in the homes of 15,000 (fifteen thousand) Rotterdammers will be reduced

 

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by at least 3 decibels compared to 2010. The council intends to make the city ‘greener’ by planting 2000 (two thousand) extra trees in Rotterdam in 2011 and in 2012, and by incorporating more vegetation and water in the ten neighbourhoods that are now the least green. As low-lying delta city Rotterdam will continue to work towards climate adaptation by experimenting with floating buildings, constructing water plazas and creating an additional 160,000 m² (one hundred and sixty thousand square metres) of green roofs and gable gardens. The city council will ensure that sustainability remains a key concept in all future area developments. Finally Rotterdam is working to increase public acceptance and support of sustainability by firmly anchoring sustainability in education. The ten tasks are: 1. Being a front runner in reducing the CO2 emissions of the city and the port-industrial area 2. Improving energy efficiency 3. Making a transition towards sustainable energy and biomass as feedstock 4. Stimulating sustainable mobility and transport 5. Reducing noice nuisance and improving air quality 6. Making the city greener 7. Increasing sustainable investments and advancing sustainable products and services 8. Increasing the basis for sustainability and anchoring sustainability in education and research 9. Adapting to the consequences of climate change 10. Promoting sustainable area development These central tasks will be executed in a program for which 89 activities have been formulated, subdivided towards key target groups: Inhabitants of Rotterdam Activity 1 Encouraging energy-savings competitions between streets and neighbourhoods 2 Stimulating consortia to offer energy savings measures to homeowners

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Stimulating green roofs and gable gardens

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Involving citizens and businesses in creating more plants, parks and gardens in the city. At least one entrepreneur fund is involved Continuing the trajectory that was started in 2010 to provide energy advise to lowincome households Providing purchasing advantages and help with energy savings to low-income households Supporting promising initiatives set up by individuals in Rotterdam Working together with the residents of Heijplaat to devise a strategy for making Heijplaat climate neutral and climate proof

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Result 500 energy-savings competitions

2014

Agreement with at least 1 consortium to approach at least 10% of private homes in Rotterdam leading to 30-50% reduction in CO2 per home 160,000 m2 additional green roofs and gable gardens Pilots with public-private joint ventures to incorporate more plants in the city

2012

20,000 households have been approached

2012

Contracts for joint purchasing of (green) electricity and gas for minimum wage earners At least 2 “meet and green” sessions and a separate fund for citizen’s initiatives Agreement framework for making the Heijplaat climate neutral and climate proof.A start has been made to implement

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Implementing a project for smart grids in homes and a project in which homeowners invest in a collective solar energy generation system (self-supply) The creation of new bicycle parking slots in the inner city Construction of a long-distance cycle route

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Construction of new cycle paths

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Stimulating the purchasing and use of electric bicycles and electric scooters

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Program Rotterdam Electric Scooter Paradise, including scooter scrappage scheme for petrol-scooters

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Port, Industry and Large Businesses Activity 15 Making agreements with businesses regarding energy saving and increasing production efficiency 16 17 18 19 20

Stimulating development of the business case “Steam Pipeline Botlek” Stimulating smart grid installations in the Maasvlakte Example project for the exchange of residual heat between the port and the city Investigating the possibilities for exchange of soil and residues Implementing the biomass program based on the paper: “Biomass in the Port of Rotterdam”

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Stimulating the implementation of infrastructure for capture, transport, storage and re-use of CO2

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Implementing the Port of Rotterdam wind agreement Research into generating wind energy on business premises and solar energy on business roofs Research into the possibilities for further intensifying industry whilst simultaneously reducing noise levels

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Shopkeepers, clubs and institutions Activity 25 Encouraging leading businesses and organisations to communicate their experiences in the field of sustainability 26 Using a sector oriented approach to encourage businesses to invest in energy

 

measures A sizeable practical trial with smart grids and a trial with the self-generation of solarenergy in Heijplaat

2014

New parking spaces for 1,000 bicycles

2014

Long distance cycle route to the Hague and Dordrecht Extra cycle paths linked to the main cycle path network in the city A network of charging stations for electric bicycles and scooters and a reduction in the noise disturbance from petrol-scooters Replacement of at least 4,000 petrolfuelled scooters by electric scooters

2014

Result Agreements with RCI partners and businesses about increasing energy savings and production efficiency by 2% on average each year A business case for the exchange of heat and steam in the Botlek Use of smart grids by businesses in the DistriparkMaasvlakte Heating the city with residual heat from the port Research report

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Agreements with RCI partners and businesses to stimulate biomass applications, leading to a 0.6 Mton reduction in CO2 emissions by 2015 Agreements with RCI partners and businesses regarding the capture, transport and storage of CO2, leading to a 2.5 Mtonreduction in CO2 emissions by 2015 Final decisions about locations leading to at least 150MW extra wind energy in 2020 Research report and implementation plan

2014

Research report and agreements with the business community

2014

Result A visible network of leading sustainable businesses Rotterdam By 900 of the 1200 businesses that were approached energy saving measures have 3

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saving measures 27

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Developing proposals to support clubs and foundations (eg sports clubs) that do not have sufficient capital to be able to finance energy saving measures themselves (eg contingency fund) Developing a set of economic instruments to stimulate sustainable businesses

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(inter) national publicity for the Rotterdam approach to climate adaptation

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(inter) national publicity for the Rotterdam approach to sustainability including contending for the European Green Capital Award and network Connecting Delta Cities

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Facilitating the Dutch Water Centre

Housing corporations, investors and developers Activity 32 Sharing experiences with energy achievement contracts (Rotterdam Green Buildings) with the private sector and housing corporations 33 Carrying out the agreements with the housing corporations to achieve 10% reductions in CO2 emissions by 2014 34 Stimulating the provision of information about energy consumption and research into smart grids 35 Acting on the agreements made with developers, investors, builders and managers regarding sustainability in new buildings, existing buildings and area developments 36 Connecting new buildings and existing buildings to the residual heat network rather than natural gas 37

Master plan for the underground substrata

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Developing a vision for cooling buildings Carrying out a feasibility study for a cooling network in the inner city Research into a more sustainable heat network based on geothermics, residual heat and biomass

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been installed that will be cost-effective within 5 years Policy decision-making regarding helping clubs and foundations finance energy saving measures. Supporting Rotterdam Zoo implement its energy plan Pre-conditions (eg sustainability targeted business acquisition, (innovation) funds, guarantee schemes) for the economic stimulation of sustainable businesses An event for professionals in which the Rotterdam approach to climate adaptation and results achieved are presented International publicity for Rotterdam and its achievements in the field of sustainability and water, leading to new contracts and more turnover for the businesses in Rotterdam Agreements with the water sector and businesses regarding the design, development and financing of the Dutch Water Centre in the Rotterdam City Harbour

Result Meetings and gatherings for professionals to stimulate the exchange of information and expertise Annual progress reports regarding the efforts made by the housing corporations and the results achieved Overview of electricity, gas and heat consumption and a smart grids research report Annual progress reports detailing the efforts made by the organisations involved and the projects that have been implemented Increase in the number of buildings connected to the heat network. All new buildings will be connected as well as 4,000 existing homes Master plan for the substrata of the inner city Document - Vision Cooling Feasibility study and policy decisions regarding the next steps Research report

Motorists, transporters, (public) transport companies and logistic services Activity Result 41 Providing alternatives for the individual use Development of a set of instruments

 

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of lorries and cars, with the focus on mobility management to and from the inner city

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Dynamic traffic management system

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Preparations for differentiated parking tariffs trials

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Carrying out innovative electric transport projects (Rotterdam Electric)

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Creating a (re)-charging network for electric vehicles Drawing up specifications for (re)-charging infrastructure in all new car parks Researching ways to optimise the transport of soil and other residues Practical trial with biodiesel based on waste fats and oils

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Practical trial with liquid gas to fuel inland ships and barges Research the use of hydrogen to fuel delivery vans in the city and for transport in the port

Schools, colleges, universities and expertise centres Activity 51 Reassessing the Nature and Environmental Education program in the light of recent developments and insights 52 Implementing activities to improve the indoor climate and make energy savings in schools

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Involving secondary school pupils and college students in topical sustainability issues experienced by businesses Developing a continuous learning trajectory for climate and energy Drawing up a (city council) strategic knowledge agenda for sustainability Stimulating colleges and universities to integrate sustainability in their curricula education and research Participating in the research program Knowledge for Climate

(SlimBereikaar – SmartAccessible, stimulating the availability and use of carsharing, Inner City Service, European project Ecostars and water transport) to promote mobility management to and from the inner city Improved traffic flow and a reduction in unnecessary mileage City council's policy decision whether to experiment with differentiated parking tariffs A portfolio of innovative electric transport projects including electric buses, taxi's, car-sharing and delivery scooters and the Electric Transport Centre 1000 (re)charging points throughout Rotterdam for registered electric vehicles Designs for new car parks will incorporate facilities for electric vehicles (*EV-Ready*) Research report into optimising streams of soils and residues Final decision on the suitability of largescale use of biodiesel based on waste fats and oils A practical trial equipping four barges to run on liquid gas Research report and policies for the Rotterdam hydrogen network

Result New policy framework for Nature and Environmental Education (together with the district authorities) Advice for all schools with natural ventilation about how to keep the air fresh. New school buildings and renovations meet the conditions laid down in the "Fresh Air in Schools" program. Agreements have been made with the school boards concerning improvements to the air quality in the school by better management and maintenance of the air conditioning installations Agreements with schools and businesses regarding continuing and extending the project Schools for Sustainability A continuous learning trajectory for climate and energy A strategic knowledge agenda for sustainability Agreements with colleges and universities

Region specific, climate related research report concerning the expertise and services that are necessary to make the 5

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Stimulating joint sustainability ventures between the business community and vocational colleges Involving students in the implementation of the strategic knowledge agenda for sustainability

City Council and Local Authorities Activity 60 Implementing the Rotterdam Green Building program 61 Implementing the Rotterdam Green Building program 62 Linking contracting for the supply of electricity and gas to reductions in energy consumption 63 Reminding market parties of their responsibilities regarding international standards for working conditions 64 Increasing the number of contracts that include sustainability aspects 65 66

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Study how the level of sustainability of contractscan be measured Making the city vehicle fleet more sustainable by the further introduction of electric and hybrid vehicles and fitting new sustainable tyres on all cars Integrating sustainability into area development - including attention to the quality of living conditions Setting up and guaranteeing the implementation of the Rotterdam Adaptation Strategy

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Constructing water plazas Stimulating adaptive building Stimulating adaptive building Stimulating adaptive building

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Research the possibilities for wind energy generation in the Hook of Holland and Rozenburg Completion of the current study into the concept "Sustainable Roads" in Pernis Implementation of the Overschie Environment activity program

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Constructing quiet road surfaces during normal maintenance of the roads Sound-proofing housing in noisy areas

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Sound-proofing housing in Rozenburg

 

Rotterdam region climate proof, and to keep it that way A training centre in which joint ventures between the business community and colleges can be developed Agreements with colleges and universities regarding the efforts to be made by students to implement the strategic knowledge agenda for sustainability

Results Implementing the contracts for 9 swimming pools go/no-go decision for second round of contracts Utilising the granting of energy contracts to encourage annual reductions in energy consumption Incorporation of international social criteria in contracts Incorporating sustainability in private purchasing contracts - under the European limit Research report and implementation At least 25% of the city vehicle fleet are electric or hybrid. 100% of vehicles are fitted with quiet, energy saving and safe tyres Sustainability is a standard feature in all urban planning, leading to improvements in living conditions Rotterdam Adaptation Strategy leading to extra water storage capacity, examples of adaptive building and a trial project for innovative dams and dikes 4 water plazas Floating buildings in the Nassau Harbour Adaptive buildings in Heijplaat Policy framework for outer dike construction Final political decisions about wind energy generation in the Hook of Holland and Rozenburg Research report and agreements about the next steps Improved living conditions inOverschie (higher score) and the local authority has improved its image regarding environmental affairs 30 kilometres of quiet roads Reduced noise levels in 300 houses along busy roads Reduced noise levels in 500 houses in 6

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Lobbying national government for sound barriers along the A16 and A20 Devising up a new noise control plan Devising a long-term approach to air quality and traffic Continuing the low emissions zone in the central shopping area and policy decisions regarding extending this to vans Planting trees Incorporating more trees, plants and vegetation in paved-over built-up areas in the city Natural school playgrounds

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Increasing the market for local products Facilitating urban farming initiatives Separating household refuse after collection, formulating an approach to recycling

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Increasing energy savings in street lighting

Rozenburg (by Prorail) Policy decisions about sound barriers along the A16 and A20 Noise control plan Long-term approach to air quality and traffic Policy decision about extending the low emissions zone to vans

2013 2012

4,000 trees 10 urban areas have become 'greener'

2012 2014

12 natural school playgrounds and agreements about the next steps Selling local products in the city's canteens Concrete urban farm projects Contracting out the separation of household waste and an approach to recycling is being implemented More energy savings in street lighting, leading to a 15% reduction in energy consumption in 2014 compared to 2010

2012

 

 

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