Cities in energy transition: Local responses to national challenges

Given that cities are major consumers of energy and significant sources of carbon dioxide emissions, this research aims to explore pathways for their decarbonization. At the same time, recognizing that cities are not isolated energy islands but integral parts of national energy systems, the study investigates how the Energy Sector Development Strategy of the Republic of Serbia up to 2040 with Projections up to 2050 can be effectively scaled and adapted to the local context, using the city of Kragujevac as a case study. Three development scenarios were analyzed: Scenario 1: implementation of National Development Strategy measures that are feasible at the local level: Scenario 2: enhancement of the Strategy by incorporating local potentials not currently addressed in the national framework, and Scenario 3: further development of the district heating system to enable greater integration of renewable energy sources. The research employs a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) approach, involving diverse stakeholders, including citizens, academia, NGOs, and local policymakers. Through surveys, priority criteria for evaluating the proposed measures were identified, enabling a comparative analysis of the scenarios. The results provide valuable insights into local preferences and capacities for energy transition and offer recommendations for improving strategic alignment between national and local energy planning.