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Description
Climate crisis is a key challenge of the present day, and its protection is the task of authorities at all levels. As part of the project, we would like to check whether local governments in the Lower Silesia region are meeting the obligations imposed by European and national environmental strategies, as well as the European Green Deal adopted by the European Union. Two important areas of local policy were chosen for the audit: transport and planning. Transport is a major carbon emitter and both EU and regional strategies emphasise that the future lies in public transport (especially rail) and cycling. And with good planning, for example, trees, meadows and forests can be protected. With this project, we want to reach out to decision makers and activists in particular, and raise awareness of the role of transport in climate issues among the inhabitants of Lower Silesia. An additional aim is to obtain and expand public information about transport and planning. We will undertake interventions in local government offices at all three levels. Intervention topics will be selected both on the basis of evaluation by social experts and on the basis of citizens'' submissions. The work will result in a report with recommendations concerning, among others, the independence of transport in the region from oil, which is important in the context of possible fuel crises. We are also planning to organise a debate with local government officials and activists concerning the implementation of the European Green Deal in Lower Silesia. We will also conduct training for young activists, which will broaden their knowledge about the possibilities of influencing the reality. The project''s partner is the oldest urban movement in Wrocław: the Society for the Beautification of the City of Wrocław. Our partners include also: The City Action, The Foundation for Sustainable Development and The Wrocław University of Science and Technology.
Summary of project results
The climate is the most important challenge of today, and its protection is the task of all authorities. The European Union has adopted the European Green Deal, and the goal is to make the continent zero-emission by 2050 and cut emissions by 55% by 2030. Actions must be taken at all levels, including local government level.
The guard project concerned the Lower Silesian Voivodeship. Its aim was to check whether the assumptions contained in European, national and regional documents regarding counteracting climate change and sustainable development are implemented in the practice of local governments.
Two thematic areas were selected in which the applicant and the partner are strong: transport and spatial planning. These are also areas in which non-governmental activities are lacking at the Lower Silesian level
The first important thematic area was transport. As we read in the European Commission''s communication on the European Green Deal, "Transport is responsible for a quarter of EU greenhouse gas emissions and this value is still growing." Unfortunately, in many places in Lower Silesia there is transport exclusion, including a reduction in the number of public transport trips.
The second area was spatial planning. Spatial development plans may take into account not only transport issues, e.g. bicycle paths, but also, for example, space for renewable energy sources, protection of biodiversity of species, meadows and forests, and protection of trees against logging.
The justification for activities regarding public information was the lack of information on transport and planning from the local government, perceived in the work of non-governmental organizations, and the need to increase participation in transport and planning.
2022-23 was also the beginning of spending EU funds, largely in the field of transport. Actions were necessary to check whether program documents, as well as specific projects, were consistent with the principles of sustainable transport.
The project concerned climate policy in Lower Silesia. Through watchdog activities: applications, access to public information and reports, and the Hipermiasto portal, we checked the compliance of policies with the assumptions of the European Union and encouraged actions that would reduce carbon dioxide emissions and increase resilience to the climate crisis. We undertook activities throughout the region, including rural, peripheral and excluded areas.
We focused on public transport, because transport is the largest emitter of carbon dioxide in the European Union. We created Hypercity reports on the current state of public transport, railway and bus development plans, and also proposed the creation of a transport union for the entire Lower Silesia.
The Bender Society was the first in the region to examine transport exclusion in a specific place in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship - in the Kłodzko County.
We also popularized bicycle transport, including through a special report by Hypermiaste. We promoted the railway as part of the "I choose the railway" social campaign, which continues after the end of the project.
Our activities also included: spatial planning, railway stations, renewable energy sources, protection of trees and mountain landscapes. As part of our watchdog activities, we strengthened the rule of law at the local level, promoting the constitutional right to complaints and requests and to public information.
The projects resulted in the creation of 7 reports, 42 applications, complaints and comments, and over 100 requests for access to public information. We have published over 150 articles on the Hipermiasto website, which has become a leading source of information about pro-climate activities in the Lower Silesia region.
We trained young people and NGO activists in the legal basis of activism, especially on the possibilities of influencing local government, and we also developed cooperation with organizations such as the School Climate Conference.
Our activities have sparked lively discussions in smaller towns in Lower Silesia, where applications and comments on climate matters are not often submitted.
Thanks to our activities, the transport exclusion of peripheral areas of Lower Silesia will be reduced. Numerous proposals for the development of public transport have been successful. Szklarska Poręba increased the frequency of the bus and extended its route, and the city office will develop a plan for the development of public collective transport. After our conclusions, a bus connection was established between Lubin and Polkowice, and the Milicz district created three bus lines. The District and Commune Association "Sowiogórskie Autobusy" will be established in Dzierżoniów County. The Karpacz commune is also considering creating a public transport system.
The application regarding the Polregio railway company was an important element of social pressure on the voivodeship marshal and Polregio after numerous canceled trains were revealed. Thanks to the debate between experts and local government officials, we also reintroduced the topic of a common ticket for MPK and Koleje Dolnośląskie in Wrocław into the debate.
We managed to convince the authorities of Wałbrzych to create a bicycle strategy and appoint a bicycle officer.
The change in the approach to European funds in Lower Silesia was a success thanks to the letter on pro-ecological changes supported by the European Commission (including an increase in the amount for rail and bicycle transport).
We also influenced better social participation because a draft procedure was prepared in the form of the "Regulations of Public Consultations of the City of Jelenia Góra". Transparency will also be developed, as the request to create a page on spatial planning on the website of the Public Information Bulletin of the Municipal Office in Głogów was accepted.
During the activities, we established partnerships with 12 new non-governmental organizations or informal groups and strengthened partnerships with 11 existing organizations and groups.