The Environment Protection Agency Sibiu (APM) is the promoter of the project „Green Path towards Sustainable Development”, part of RO07 Programme - Adaptation to climate change, financed by funds provided by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway via the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area (EEA), EEA Grants 2009 - 2014 for the period January 2015 - April 2016.

The Ministry for Water and Forests (MMAP), acting as programme operator, has officially approved the above-mentioned project in 2014, November 30th, whereas the financing contract between MMAP and APM Sibiu was concluded in 2015, January 8th.

The project „Green Path towards Sustainable Development”, with a the total value of 4.546.115 is being financed as part of RO07 Programme - Adaptation to climate change, by funds provided by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway via EEA Grants 2009 – 2014, the grant amount being worth 3.822.997,51 Euros, plus the co-financing and ineligible costs provided by the Ministry for Water and Forests (MMAP). Project duration is between January 2015 and April 2016.

The general objective of the programme is obtaining a reduced human and ecosystem vulnerability to climate change, aiming at a possibility to share and promote best practices on adaptation to these changes. The entire programme shall be implemented by APM Sibiu in partnership with the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS), the National Administration of Meteorology, Sibiu City Hall, Brasov City Hall, Targu Mures City Hall and "Lucian Blaga" University of Sibiu.

Main activities involved in this project and expected outcome:

- Adapting the headquarters of the Environment Protection Agency in Sibiu to climate change, namely equipping the building with heating, cooling and ventilation systems, all based on heat pumps and solar panels, with a rainwater collecting-recycling system, a properly designed and installed extensive green-roof system and thermal systems as well;

- 3 studies on energy efficiency and climate change adaptation concerning “Brothers Grimm” Kindergarten building, the building of the Environmental Protection Agency in Sibiu, the building of Tg. Mures Social Centre (energy audit, study of technical expertise, feasibility study, technical project concerning the increase of energy efficiency and adaptation to climate change);

- underground laying of cables with a total length of 10.019 meters, designed to cover the electricity and communication needs within the city’s main traffic arteries: Victoriei Boulevard, V. Milea Boulevard, Coposu Boulevard, Sos. Alba Iulia and Calea Dumbravii, including the surfacing of these roads afterwards.

- purchasing 3 state-of-the-art weather stations to allow accurate measurement and monitoring of the meteorological parameters within the defined area, that shall consequently be integrated as part of the national meteorological network. The data obtained will help produce timely and accurate forecasts and, besides these, also warnings against extraordinary events or adverse climatic conditions, in order to provide for real-time meteorological information;

- planting of 30 rapid-growing trees in well-defined bus stops part of the above-mentioned bus routes, for protecting humans during periods of intense summer heat;

- development of 3 strategies and action plans on climate change in the vulnerable sectors identified at local level in the three municipalities: Sibiu, Tg. Mures and Brasov (transport, energy, etc.);

- 1 guide for the development of a certain strategy on climate change (RO+EN)

- 5 guides specific to the selected vulnerable sectors

- elaboration of 4 meteorological surveys

- training in the field of climate change adaptation, provided for  300 persons selected as representatives of local authorities and public institutions, environmental NGOs, economic operators and local media;

- development of a training module for students in the field of climate change adaptation and sector vulnerability towards these changes;

- 1 traffic survey shall be developed in order to have the traffic efficiency accurately evaluated; similarly, alternative routes will be identified as an instrument for extreme situations and unpredictable phenomena

- one postgraduate training course with 20 learners attending, initiated to improve the attendants‘ knowledge related to climate change adaptation;

- establishing a communicators’ network in the field of climate change adaptation;

- One website alongside with the project full knowledge-base;

information campaign to raise the awareness of the general public about climate change adaptation.