Driving energy sovereignty in Zagreb: Meet Julije Domac, Energy and Climate Expert and EU Covenant Board Member

Since 2008, Julije Domac has been leading REGEA, the North-West Croatia Regional Energy and Climate Agency, in turning Europe’s climate and energy ambitions into concrete projects and investments. As Special Advisor on Energy and Climate to the Croatian President, he brings extensive experience in connecting European priorities with local implementation.

As a member of the EU Covenant of Mayors Board since 2016, he brings the perspective of an energy agency leader working at the intersection between European ambition and local action, with a strong focus on energy sovereignty, investment acceleration and delivering a fair transition for communities.

What are your top priorities, and how do they align with your region’s long-term vision for sustainability and climate resilience?

For me, the priority is very clear: turning Europe’s climate and energy ambitions into real investments that improve people’s daily lives. 

This year REGEA celebrates 18 years of work, and throughout all those years our focus was never only strategy or declarations. Our focus was implementation. Real projects. Real investments. Real impact. I strongly believe the energy transition will succeed only if citizens feel safer, economically stronger and more resilient. Behind all of this there is an even bigger question - European energy sovereignty.

Recent crises reminded us that dependency comes at a price. Energy dependency very quickly becomes political and economic dependency. European climate policy is not just environmental policy, but also our crucial security policy, industrial policy and democratic policy. Europe is a complex idea, sometimes frustratingly complex. But it remains one of the greatest and most valuable political ideas in modern history. I believe our local and regional action and the EU Covenant of Mayors is one of those actions, is what gives that idea real credibility.

Can you share the most exciting or transformative project currently underway in your city that contributes to the EU Covenant of Mayors’ targets? What makes this project stand out?

What excites me most is that Zagreb is no longer developing isolated renewable energy projects but gradually transforming its entire urban development model around climate neutrality and energy resilience. 

REGEA has worked closely with the City of Zagreb for many years but the current administration has increased the city's ambition enormously. One major milestone was Zagreb receiving the EU Mission Label for Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities through the Climate City Contract process. 

At the same time, REGEA helped introduce higher standards for sustainable construction and renovation, moving beyond minimum legal requirements towards low-carbon and energy-efficient buildings. We are also witnessing a strong wave of investments in rooftop solar across public buildings, schools, businesses and households. A few years ago, this was still marginal. Today it is becoming mainstream. 

For me, this is exactly how Europe succeeds – by turning ambitious policies into visible local investments and better daily life for citizens.

^{photo: REGEA}

As a member of the EU Covenant of Mayors Board, what unique perspective or initiative do you hope to bring? And what do you hope to learn from your fellow mayors?

I hope to bring the perspective of someone who works every day at the intersection of European ambition and local reality. 

In recent years I have become increasingly convinced that energy agencies are no longer simply technical support structures. They are becoming part of Europe’s democratic and social infrastructure. Europe will succeed or fail locally. I would like to contribute particularly on three themes: energy sovereignty, social fairness and investment acceleration. Europe still regulates faster than it builds. We often speak about targets, but implementation remains too slow. If we want a resilient and sovereign Europe, we need much faster deployment of projects, infrastructure and local action. 

At the same time, I always emphasise the role of mayors and local leaders because they are closest to citizens’ fears, expectations and everyday realities. Today, trust may be Europe’s most strategic resource, and it is crucial to prevent radical political movements.

What makes you proudest about your region — particularly in terms of its commitment to sustainability and improving residents’ quality of life?

I am proud that our counties in the north-west of Croatia have shown that sustainability can improve quality of life in very practical and visible ways. 

For many years renewable energy and climate protection were often presented either as a luxury or as a sacrifice. We tried to demonstrate something different - energy transition can mean healthier homes, lower costs, cleaner air, more resilient communities and better public services. 

I am also proud that REGEA, supported by and working hand in hand with our regions, has become recognised across Europe as an organisation that consistently turns ideas into projects and investments. Over 18 years, REGEA has helped mobilise around a billion of euros into sustainable energy and climate projects. That creates credibility, and that matters because the transition ahead of us will require not only technology and money, but also experience, vision and public trust.

Beyond your official duties, how do you personally connect with your region’s people and culture? Are there any local traditions or hidden gems you would recommend to visitors?

I love running through Zagreb early in the morning, visiting our local markets, spending time walking with my dog or growing vegetables in our garden. Those moments often tell me about the value of the nature and local sustainability. When I am spending my weekend in my second home on the border between Croatia and Slovenia, I enjoy running down the river Sutla Valley, I am still fascinated with the Europe without borders.

For visitors, I would strongly recommend exploring northern Croatia beyond the classic tourist routes - the Zagorje hills, thermal springs, small historic towns, vineyards, and traditional food culture. One place I particularly like is Veliki Tabor Castle. It has a strong atmosphere and tells an important story about the region’s Central European identity.

I also often recommend Terme Tuhelj, not only because of its thermal tradition, but because geothermal energy there symbolises something very important for Europe’s future - the connection between local resources, sustainability, and quality of life.

For people who want to discover a less obvious side of Zagreb, I would suggest places like Mirogoj Cemetery, which is much more than a cemetery - it is one of the city’s most beautiful architectural and cultural spaces. I also love the area around Medvedgrad above the city, especially at sunset, where you can understand the relationship between Zagreb, nature and history in a single view.

And there are smaller places I personally find very special - traditional wine routes in Zagorje, small family restaurants in villages around Klanjec and Kumrovec, old wooden houses in the Sutla Valley, or local hilltop viewpoints where you can see Slovenia and Croatia blending almost seamlessly together.