Andres Jaadla
CECODHAS Housing Europe Board Member and Chairman of the
Estonian Housing Association
Estonia

Biography
Andres Jaadla was born on 10 March, 1965. He graduated at Tartu University 1991 and acquired his Master?s degree in law. He held the position of Mayor of Rakvere from 2002-2012 and was member of the European Committee of Regions from 2009-2012. Since 1996 he has been the Chairman of the Estonian Union of Co-operative Housing Associations and member of the Board and since 2014 he has been a board member of CECODHAS ? Housing Europa, the biggest housing organization in Europe. In 2012 he started to work at SA Virumaa Competence Center of Excellence (Estonian Smart city/house Competence Center, in Rakvere) as Director of development and education. He has been a member of the Rakvere City Council since 1993 and one of the Covenant of Mayors initiators in Estonia.

Abstract
Green and Smart Growth City of Rakvere

After signing the Covenant of Mayors, Rakvere became the first city in Estonia to take the political commitment to adopt a Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP) in order to meet EU climate and energy targets. This SEAP, which fostered the emergence of an energy efficiency movement in the city, points to six priority lines of action, including district heating, energy efficiency in buildings, water management, urban transport, street lighting and city planning. We are determined to become Estonia’s pioneer in that regard, championing our far-reaching vision of smart and efficient energy use. Our Sustainable Energy Action Plan charts six main lines of action for the city, with the purpose of meeting the commitments taken with the Covenant of Mayors and we consider these as our long-term guiding principles. One of our utmost priorities is to change Rakvere’s heating system. Indeed, we would like to introduce district heating and replace fossil fuel use by bio fuels. Heat consumption is a crucial issue to address, energy efficiency needs to be encouraged and buildings ought to be properly renovated and insulated. Other important aspects are water consumption, urban transport and street lightning, where our resources need to be used responsibly and efficiently. City planning overall should take account of sustainable development trends and contemplate different alternatives.