The Europe 2020 climate change and energy targets cannot be achieved by simply adjusting the way we produce and consume, but require a real transition to a low-carbon society in which old patterns of production and consumption are subject to profound change.

The new model of green economy that needs to be strengthened also in Apulia is centred on the use of Community funds that contributes to the identification of policies and measures suitable for achieving long-term objectives, reconciling them with short to medium-term objectives, in order to avoid the risks associated with the adoption of choices, especially in the field of infrastructure, that preclude or make difficult a lasting change. 

The pursuit of a new system of green economy in Apulia is focused on different areas of intervention that find in the implementation of this Axis a strategic importance with respect to the broader Operational Programme as a whole. A first type of action concerns the strengthening, compared to what already started with the 2007-2013 programming, of energy efficiency actions promoted by both public operators and SMEs.

Further increase in production of energy from renewable sources in Apulia in recent years helps to emphasize the need to ensure an intelligent distribution network in the region able to support the substantial production flows already achieved at present and to allow a full and lasting use of this energy in favor of citizens and businesses.
Hence, the need to support programs for the implementation of intelligent systems for storage and distribution of energy produced from renewable sources (smart grid) able to raise the levels of efficiency of production and use of energy from renewable sources already achieved in Apulia in recent years.