Recently published by the European Environment Agency (EEA), this technical report introduces and analyses a pool of 52 pieces of research on scenario planning, commonly known as 'evaluative scenario literature'.

It presents a review of relevant academic and non‑academic literature on the issue and provides insights into:
• the types of scenarios that exist and those that work in different contexts, both in the public and private sectors;
• the characteristics that enable organisations to use scenarios more effectively;
• the ways that scenarios influence decision‑making processes and robust organisational strategies.

The report points to ways that public agencies could be organised to make better use of scenarios and methods to make scenarios more relevant to policy-makers. It concludes by describing the areas where evaluative scenario literature should focus to build up evidence that can ensure that scenario planning is of maximum value in policy-making.

Download the report on the EEA's website

During the joint annual Rendezvous of Énergie-Cités and Climate Alliance, the first morning session was the occasion to give a taste of the next IMAGINE seminar.

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"Improved energy efficiency and sparing use of natural resources leads to a fall in greenhouse gas emissions in the region and to improved competitiveness." This is the main vision for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2030 that YTV, the Helsinki Metropolitan Area Council, came up with through its study "Climate Strategy for the Helsinki Metropolitan Area 2030". This document was prepared by the YTV, together with experts from the city of Helsinki, which newly became member of the board of directors of Energie-Cites, and the neighbouring cities Espoo, Kauniainen and Vantaa.

Interesting for the IMAGINE initiative is the long term period the strategy focuses on, as well as the transversal approach of climate change issues within local policies. As stated, 'In order to achieve the aim of cutting greenhouse gas emissions, climate change must become a crucial element in all planning and policy making by the cities of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area'.

More particularly, the strategy is supported by transversal visions focusing on 'electricity', 'construction and buildings', 'procurement, consumption and waste', 'energy generation', 'land use' and 'transport'. Though focusing on the work of local authorities, the strategy is seen within the local governance process. 'Local authority public information services will help the region’s residents to appreciate their own capacity to control climate change. New methods will be devised for improving interaction with the enterprises and stakeholders that are most important for the climate strategy.'