Prague has approved a new climate plan. He wants to move to the city of the 21st century – A2larm
Climate plan of the capital city of Prague until 2030, which was approved on Monday, wants to reduce Prague ‘s greenhouse gas emissions by changing electricity sources, saving energy and using renewable sources. The plan defines four main areas for change – sustainable energy and buildings, sustainable mobility, the circular economy and adaptation measures. It also identifies priority projects on which Prague should focus. These include the construction of a biogas plant as a substitute for natural gas, the reconstruction of a wastewater treatment plant, the establishment of the Prague Renewable Energy Community, the modernization of public lighting, the completion of metro line D or the replacement of diesel buses with low-emission and emission-free cars.
The ambitious plan also has its critics. Zdeněk Zajíček (ODS) called it a mere “political proclamation” that raises unrealistic expectations and gambles with public money. Ondřej Prokop (YES) points out the exorbitant financial costs: “Those costs are completely astronomical and it is clear that even with the help of national or European subsidies, Prague will not be able to fulfill such a plan.” claims Prokop. Petr Hlaváček (STAN), Deputy Mayor and Councilor for Territorial Development, considers it realistic and necessary. Mayor Zdeněk Hřib (Pirates) added that thanks to these projects, the city will open up the possibility of financing from a number of European subsidy titles.
Sustainable energy and buildings
A priority in the field of sustainable energy is the construction of new electricity production from renewable sources, such as solar power plants on city-owned buildings and land. The Prague Renewable Energy Community could then speed up the process of installing photovoltaic power plants on real estate owned by the city and then by private owners. Placement should be simplified and economically motivated. The Community will then also supply or take green electricity and purchase surpluses.
According to the Auto * Mat association, the impact of large road infrastructure constructions, such as the Městský okruh and Radlická radiála, which will bring further car traffic to the city, is not included in the design.
Furthermore, the building stock should be adapted to energy efficiency – energy consumption in buildings accounts for 75 percent of the city’s total emissions. The city also wants to continue building new apartments according to the city’s short-distance principles. Neglected land should be used as much as possible, development projects should be conditioned by a good connection to the infrastructure, and the ratio of residential and non-residential construction should also be taken into account.
Sustainable mobility
As part of its transformation strategy, Prague wants to increase the share of non-motorized (pedestrian and bicycle) traffic, strengthen the performance and attractiveness of public transport, expand the capacity of suburban railways or reduce the allergy of individual car traffic. It wants to achieve this by expanding the paid parking zone, adding a toll system or by favoring environmentally friendly types of vehicles.
Public transport buses and refuse collection or street cleaning vehicles should be gradually replaced by vehicles with minimal or zero emissions. Prague also wants to prepare for electrified transport by adding networks of charging stations. Support is also given to shared transport systems, which the city wants to integrate into the existing public transport system. Metro line D should be completed, while metro line C should be fully automated.
Air transport would remain unaffected – given the sharp decline in air traffic in the last year “Prague sees this situation as an opportunity for systemic change – a combination of appropriate measures is conceivable for air transport to develop further only in a sustainable way,” the climate plan said.
However, Auto * Mat considers these goals unattainable. “Proposed measures such as tolls, parking regulations and support for emission-free transport are in principle correct, but their impacts are greatly overestimated by the climate plan.” claims Vratislav Filler. In addition, according to the association, the proposal does not include the impact of large road infrastructure constructions, such as the Městský okruh and Radlická radiála, which will bring further car traffic to the city.
Circular economics
Prague sees the introduction of the principles of the circular economy as a necessary prerequisite for reducing emissions. It is both about minimizing the generation of waste and keeping those already generated inside or in the vicinity of the city for their subsequent reuse. Waste generation must be prevented especially in the area of construction and demolition activities of the city. However, the city also wants to support various furniture funds, repair shops and exchanges, the creation of ReUse points and the like.
The highest possible proportion of municipal waste should be sorted, recycled and reused. Most sorting containers are to be moved from the streets to the courtyards and courtyards. However, the biggest change is to bring the production of biogas from food residues from households and restaurants. To this end, a new biogas plant for the production of biomethane will be set up, which will then be injected into the natural gas distribution network. Such natural gas will then be used to power vehicles in Prague.
Adaptation measures
The climate plan follows on from Strategy of adaptation of the capital city of Prague to climate change, which was approved in 2015. It brings specific adaptation measures related to improving microclimatic conditions in Prague, reducing the impact of extreme temperatures and hydrological phenomena, reducing the energy intensity of Prague and improving crisis management.
This should revitalize parks and green spaces, plant greenery and trees, create water bodies in the city, use wastewater and rainwater, and define standards for rainwater management. Adaptation measures on buildings include new green roofs, the installation of renewable energy sources, the construction of green facades and vertical greenery. Prague also wants to support sustainable agriculture and the establishment of community gardens.
“We are facing ongoing processes. Significant urbanization, urban migration, population aging, climate change and technological change. All this directs the company to look for new solutions. In our climate plan, the emphasis is not only on the so-called techno-optimism, but precisely on a comprehensive approach to the creation of the city. The city in which he lives, works and recreates. From the point of view of Prague’s sustainability, it is important to strive at all decision-making and planning levels for a city that provides its inhabitants with living space in a multifunctional, reasonably dense short-distance city. thereby reducing the ecological burden of the city as a whole, “says councilor Petr Hlaváček about the approved plan.
The author is a collaborator of the editorial board.