We track our success through the following indicators:

INDICATORS OF INITIATIVE GROWTH

Number of cities that have joined the Initiative

The Initiative owes its success to strong political will and engagement of city stakeholders. Local authorities are uniquely positioned to advance district energy systems through their roles as planners and regulators, facilitators of finance, role models and advocates, large consumers of energy, and providers of infrastructure and services.

Cities (as of November 2018): 36

Number of partners that have joined the Initiative

Through the convening power of UN Environment, the Initiative brings together partners with diverse capabilities and expertise to accelerate the uptake of district energy. Partners facilitate the Initiative’s interventions through working with national and municipal governments, giving time and resources through in-kind support, providing financial support to our projects, and sharing knowledge earned from decades of experience.

Partners (as of November 2018): 45

Thinking about joining the Initiative as a partner? Click here.

AWARENESS AND CAPACITY BUILDING INDICATORS

Number of study tours organized

Awareness-raising and capacity-building are a core part of our model to scale up and replicate district energy systems. Our study tours connect interested cities with host cities who can share their experiences in overcoming barriers and complexities when establishing district energy projects.

Number of knowledge products and tools developed

Our knowledge products, methodologies and tools explain district energy benefits and the ways cities can plan, coordinate, finance and advocate for district energy systems. Learn more about our knowledge products and resources or visit our knowledge platform wiki (coming soon).

Number of webinars delivered

In-house technical experts and partners produce webinars for rapid and easy dissemination of knowledge on district energy. We deliver extensive training on how to effectively use our knowledge products and methodologies, constantly improving them based on client and partner feedback Our webinars are also an excellent platform to connect cities with the private sector, and for peer-to-peer and city-to-city exchange on leading practices, challenges, and lessons learned.

You can find all our webinars here.

Number of stakeholders trained

Our workshops, training and webinars bring together various stakeholders – from city officials to real estate developers, local legal experts and business owners – to learn from each other. Each new stakeholder trained is a new advocate for district energy. Our advocates, from Chile to Malaysia to the Seychelles, are in every corner of the globe.

Number of presentations at international conferences

Our team works tirelessly to promote district energy and its benefits globally. We attend conferences and workshops, and arrange bilateral meetings to secure district energy’s deserved position on national and international policy agendas as well as to mobilize new partnerships for district energy

MARKET TRANSFORMATION INDICATORS

Leveraged investment in district energy projects

Part of our work involves supporting cities to identify funding opportunities and the business models to bring projects to market. Concrete investments demonstrate agreement between city governments, investors and consumers, with directly attributable benefits, including greenhouse gas reductions, improved air quality, green jobs and improved access to sustainable energy. Bankable projects, like the $600 million worth of projects identified in five Indian cities, show that we mean business.

Number of national policy frameworks adopted to promote district energy

Although many of the decisions and measures associated with district energy can and must be made at a local level, state and national policies are crucial. National policies allow for the devolution of authority to cities; support local coordination and capacity to deliver; account for the benefits of district energy in national building standards, codes and certificates; and level the playing field for district energy. Already two of our countries are integrating district energy into their national policies: Chile in its Presidential Decontamination Plan and India in the National Cooling Action Plan.

Project assessments and city-wide district energy plans adopted

We start our process by evaluating district energy potential in a city. Once potential has been established, we undertake pre-feasibility studies and provide support to city officials throughout the procurement process. Our in-house experts, and partners, carry out assessments that are reviewed by our technical taskforce. In parallel, we support cities to develop long-term plans that encompass the whole city and align district energy with city and national objectives. To ensure long-term expansion of district energy, local policies are designed that level the playing field and encourage projects.

Local economy

An important measure of success for an energy efficiency or renewable energy project is the positive economic impact. District energy and clean energy projects generate jobs, from planning to construction and operation. District energy systems can save up to 50 per cent of the heating and cooling for buildings. Further cost savings come from mitigating air pollution and the associated government expenses for health and productively impacts. For example, in Chile air pollution costs the administration US$ 690 million per year. Through the pollution-reducing impacts of the Initiative’s activities in Chile, the administration could reduce annual expenditure on the health effects of air pollution.