Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Denmark, the Scandinavian state of windmills and Little Mermaid, is traditionally known for its knowledge and passion for protecting the environment, particularly saving energy and reducing emissions and reversing the negative impacts of climate change. With more than 13% of nation’s energy being generated from wind power, and more than 90% of all wastes recycled, reused and transformed into energy, Denmark is also a world leader in green investment and growth.

So, when the joint project of UNDP/GEF “Promoting Energy Efficiency in Public Buildings” started organization of a planned study tour for national officials and experts on the issues of energy management, it is no wonder that Denmark was among the top countries in the destination list.

The two-week tour was organized for ten representatives of national institutions, such as the project’s main partner, State Committee for Architecture and Construction, design and planning institutions, Ministry of Public Education, as well as main educational establishment in the field of architecture, Tashkent Institute for Architecture and Construction. It mainly targeted the issues of energy management, such as energy efficient building codes and norms, legislative base for the enforcement of energy efficient construction, energy audit, passports and classification system, and public education in the field of energy-efficient architecture.

“We could see real examples of so-called ‘green buildings’ – where technologies of tomorrow serve the needs of people of today. It is amazing how in Denmark latest know-how is transformed into the comfort of citizens, and ultimately brings environmental benefits”, shares her impressions Tatyana Zimakova of a design institution “ToshUyJoyLITI”, who was among the participants of study tour. Ms. Zimakova also says she was impressed by the ‘green culture’ of Danes who are meticulous in their efforts to ensure everyone’s individual responsibility towards protecting the environment.

Indeed, citizens of this country will surely turn the lights off when leaving the room, or automatic sensor systems will do that for them. The elements of ‘smart’ housing systems, public policy mechanisms for the enforcement of energy-efficiency, and, not least important consumer-oriented programmes promoting energy efficiency were all among the issues covered by this unique study programme.

A world-known Danish consultancy firm, Grontmij/Carl Bro assisted UNDP Uzbekistan in organization of this tour. In addition to informative lectures and site visits and trips, they organized visits to national institutions, such as the Ministry of Climate and Energy, The Common Secretariat for Inspection and Energy labeling, Danish Enterprise and Construction Authority, and Vestegnen district heating company, among others.

The Danish ‘green’ island, Samsoe, was among the sites visited during the tour as the world’s first island to run almost entirely on renewable energy. Drawing on the limitless sources of the wind, as well as solar power, biomass, sustainable-growth wood sources and geothermal heat, the Samsoe island with population of 4,300 demonstrates to thousands of visitors annually how local efforts can help tackle global energy and environmental crises.

In addition to Samsoe, participants visited famous Green Lighthouse – the first CO2-neutral public building in Denmark. Visits to world-known firms Danfoss and Rockwool exposed Uzbek delegation to state-of-the-art know-how and technologies used to construct and equip energy-efficient buildings.

Prior to the visit, participants were gathered for a pre-departure workshop where UNDP project staff discussed with them the tour’s programme and objective. Now, as they returned, the project plans to organize a Republican-wide seminar where they could share knowledge gained with their colleagues working in similar areas throughout Uzbekistan. So the experience brought from Denmark will benefit not only a small group of decision-makers, but experts in this field from the entire country.

UNDP/GEF project on energy efficiency in public buildings started in late 2009. It is implemented in partnership with Uzbekistan’s State Committee for Architecture and Construction. The project is aimed at reducing energy consumption and associated emissions of so-called greenhouse gases in public buildings, particularly in the healthcare and educational sectors in Uzbekistan. Training local architects and construction experts in design and maintenance of energy-efficient buildings is an important aspect of project’s activities.