As part of the Ready4NetZero project, two Croatian municipalities Ivanić-Grad and Pregrada demonstrated how local communities can successfully combine renewable energy sources with green initiatives, creating role models worthy of emulation for other cities in the region.
Ivanić-Grad: ‘Photovoltaics and e-mobility in practice’
Ivanić-Grad is a sprawling municipality located on the banks of the Lonja River, just off the main transport routes linking Zagreb with north-eastern Croatia. As part of a pilot action, photovoltaic installations have appeared on the roofs of ten public buildings - from schools to offices - which not only cover a significant part of the electricity needs of these buildings, but also supply energy to the grid. In parallel, the municipality has embarked on a 3.3 MW PV farm project, which will give as many as 1,200 households permanent access to cheap green energy next season. Electromobility is also in the spotlight - an electric car has been purchased for the office, and public charging stations have been set up at local businesses and institutions. There are plans to expand the city's Next Bike system and to lay out a network of new cycle paths to encourage residents to use alternative transport to the car .
Pregrada: ‘A new approach to waste and reclamation’
In Pregrada, a small municipality in the Krapino-Zagorje district, the Ready4NetZero project provided the impetus for a major overhaul of the waste management system. Already at the outset, the municipality initiated the “Zelena čistka” action, during which residents jointly cleaned up parks, squares and waterfronts. In order to prevent the creation of wild dumps, new selective waste collection points were set up under the watchful eye of city video surveillance. This system not only allows for an immediate response to attempts at illegal dumping, but also provides support for the cleaning services in enforcing the penalties stipulated by local regulations. As a result of intensive remediation work, more than 90 % of previously identified wild dumps have been cleaned up, and “green islands” - aesthetically pleasing green zones where everyone can rest and charge their bicycles at an automatic charging station - have been created in the place of illegal dumpsites .
Conclusions: Carbon footprint decreases and quality of life increases
The two pilots, although different in scale of action and specific local challenges, share a common goal: to reduce the carbon footprint and increase the quality of life of residents. Ivanić-Grad, by investing on a large scale in RES and electromobility, is increasing its energy security, while Pregrada, through environmentally friendly measures, is proving that even small towns can easily reduce pollution and involve the community in protecting the immediate area. Both cases show that with well-prepared projects, expert support and active citizens, the transformation towards climate neutrality is fully achievable.
Ready4NetZero is a EUKI funded project coordinated by the Polish Network “ENERGIE CITÉS”, with a consortium formed of the Ecologic Institute from Germany, ENERGIAKLUB from Hungary, REGEA from Croatia, and Energy Cities Romania. Ready4NetZero aims to support cities from the participating countries in developing and implementing 2050 climate neutrality strategies and seeks to do this by building capacity, knowledge, and skills among local leaders, municipal staff, and local stakeholders, facilitating experiences exchange and dialogue between local authorities.