Enhancing the Skills of Municipal and Regional Planning Specialists in Climate-Neutral Economy and Mitigation of Socio-Economic Impacts Related to Climate Change
Latvia’s long-term climate policy goal is to ensure progress towards climate change mitigation and climate resilience, aiming to achieve climate neutrality and national climate targets no later than 2050, in accordance with the commitments of the European Union and international agreements.
Municipalities play a crucial role in achieving these goals; however, several challenges currently hinder the effective implementation of climate policy at the local level. Municipal and regional planning specialists often lack sufficient understanding of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction, climate change adaptation, and sustainable development planning, which makes integrating climate policy at the local level more difficult.
Moreover, there is a lack of adequate methodological materials and best practice examples that could help municipalities develop climate-resilient solutions and incorporate them into their development plans. Another significant challenge is the practical implementation of sustainable solutions—municipalities lack experience and knowledge in areas such as the circular economy, renewable energy management, sustainable construction and infrastructure, as well as climate-aligned municipal services.
Securing funding for climate-related measures is also a challenge, as municipalities often lack the necessary skills to prepare high-quality projects and successfully apply for EU funding.
To address these issues, the project will provide training for municipal specialists, equipping them with knowledge on transitioning towards a climate-neutral economy and mitigating risks related to climate change in the most affected regions, thus reducing socio-economic impacts.
As a result of the project, municipal and regional planning specialists will enhance their knowledge and skills in climate change mitigation and adaptation, ensuring the integration and implementation of climate policy within the development planning documents of planning regions and municipalities.
In addition to theoretical knowledge, the project aims to develop new methodologies and action models that will facilitate the acquisition of practical skills and be useful for specialists responsible for climate-related issues—whether in planning and implementing measures, preparing project proposals, managing municipal property, or organizing essential services for residents.
As a result of the project, at least 190 municipal and regional specialists will improve their knowledge and skills in climate-neutral economy-related topics and in mitigating the socio-economic impacts of climate change.
