The importance of the capacity building for implementing energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions

Abstract

Within the Climate and Energy Directive, the European Commission has set three main targets: reduction of GHG emissions, increase a share of renewable resources, and improvements in energy efficiency. This paper introduces needs and solutions for capacity building in cross-border regions of Slovenia-Croatia-Hungary in order to better implement energy efficiency and renewable resources potentials. It was identified that a lack of knowledge by the stakeholders repre-sents a main obstacle for implementing more environmental and economic ac-ceptable energy solutions on a local and regional levels. To address the compe-tences gaps by the stakeholders, online training modules were designed and im-plemented. The results of trainings revealed the best evaluation scores, and con-sequently improved knowledge and competencies in Hungary, followed by Croa-tia and Slovenia.