ICLEI European Secretariat

23 May 2013 : Chair and Vice-Chairs chosen to lead Procura+ Sustainable Procurement Campaign

Thu, 23 May 2013 09:51:00 +0200

A panel of international experts have been chosen to head ICLEI’s Procura+ Campaign, Europe’s foremost campaign to encourage sustainable procurement at the local level. The three candidates were chosen based on their commitment in the field of sustainable public procurement. The appointees will lead the Campaign from 1 April 2013 to 31 March 2015. Pekka Sauri, Deputy Mayor of the City of Helsinki (Finland), returns as the Chair of Procura+.

Mercè Rius I Serra was appointed Vice Chair, along with Deputy Mayor of the City of Malmö (Sweden) Lari Pitkä-Kangas. Deputy President for Environment of the Province of Barcelona (Spain), Ms. Rius i Serra has been heavily involved in the issue of green public procurement throughout her political career. Mr. Pitkä-Kangas has a great deal of experience in implementing sustainable procurement policies in a municipal context, and a particular interest in sustainable development. Each Chair will act as an ambassador for the Campaign.

Speaking on his role, Pekka Sauri said: "Public spending represents almost one fifth of GDP in the European Union - clearly, responsible public procurement represents a tremendous opportunity, not only to make our societies more sustainable, but also to ensure social justice and fair treatment. I'm delighted to be reappointed chair of the Procura+ Campaign, and look forward to continuing to support its work in mainstreaming sustainable public procurement across Europe and encouraging exchange amongst public authorities.” Pekka Sauri continued: “In this time of EU procurement directive reform, it is my belief that the Campaign can send a strong message to Europe on the importance of Sustainable Public Procurement.”

For more information, click here.

22 May 2013 : Nations show greater interest in working with local governments on climate actions

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:19:02 +0200

National governments from both developed and developing countries expressed greater eagerness to collaborate with local governments in combating climate challenges at the UN climate talks held in Bonn (Germany) from 29 April – 3 May 2013. ICLEI welcomes this positive step towards raising the global level of ambition. These views were expressed at the second workshop of the ‘Ad Hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action’ (ADP), an intergovernmental negotiation group under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The role of local governments were emphasised during the “ADP Workstream-2 Workshop”, which focused on ways to increase global ambition in addressing climate change before 2020. “The positive spirit in the ADP-2 Workshop proves that the messages to integrate local and subnational governments in global climate actions are now well received by the majority of national governments from both developed and developing countries. It is a result of two decades of success in direct local climate actions, strengthened with concrete achievements of the global climate advocacy. ICLEI is proud to play a pioneering role in these remarkable achievements,” said Gino Van Begin, ICLEI Secretary General.

Due to relatively limited participation in the Kyoto Protocol, domestic actions at the national level, rather than the global climate regime, are expected to be the main drivers of climate mitigation efforts in the pre-2020 period. The new climate agreement under the UNFCCC is expected to be adopted by 2015 and will be entered into by 2020.

For more information, click here.

16 May 2013 : HAPPI website launched to identify innovations in ageing well

Tue, 14 May 2013 17:53:27 +0200

HAPPI (Healthy Ageing - Public Procurement of Innovations) is a European project which aims to identify innovative products and services in the field of “ageing well”. Funded by the European Commission, HAPPI addresses the challenges of the demographic change in Europe by putting in place procurement contracts that will benefit healthcare organisations, hospital staff, the elderly and their families.

The HAPPI project website will keep industry and healthcare professionals informed about the project and key events, including information days to be held in major European cities from September 2013, starting in London (United Kingdom). The website also provides manufacturers, suppliers and healthcare organisations with detailed information on the project, its objectives, milestones and members. Additionally, it allows manufacturers and suppliers to register their interest in the project and receive updates.

From September 2013, suppliers and manufacturers will be able to access an online platform via the HAPPI website where they will have the opportunity to confidentially submit information on their innovative solutions for caring for an ageing society and maintaining health in old age. Before this, they can register their expressions of interest in the project on the website. The HAPPI project is run by 11 strategic partners from seven European countries that are a mixture of healthcare central purchasing organisations, innovation and SME experts and academics. The HAPPI project is also on twitter - follow the project at www.twitter.com/HAPPI_Project.

For more information, click here.

15 May 2013 : High-level Dialogue aims to turn Rio+20 outcomes into actions

Tue, 14 May 2013 17:46:50 +0200

At Rio+20, the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, it was accepted that greening transportation is vital to improving urban sustainability and combating climate change. Delegates further recognised “the importance of the efficient movement of people and goods, and access to environmentally sound, safe and affordable transportation as a means to improve social equity, health, resilience of cities, urban-rural linkages and productivity of rural areas”. To turn these ideals into action, a High-level Dialogue on Implementing Rio+20 Decisions on Sustainable Cities and Urban Transport will be held in Berlin (Germany) from 19 – 20 June 2013.

The dialogue is a chance for national and regional stakeholders, experts and decision makers to come together and exchange information. The event will highlight proven sustainable urban planning and transport policies and measures, identify best practices, and facilitate capacity building through national and international exchanges of information and experiences. The programme for the event is available online. As Rio +20 “recognised that partnerships among cities and communities play an important role in promoting sustainable development”, and stressed “the need to strengthen existing cooperation mechanisms and platforms, partnership arrangements and other implementation tools”, these points will also be discussed during the dialogue.

The event will coincide with the 2013 Global Forum on Human Settlements and Awards Ceremony. The Global Human Settlements Awards Ceremony will recognise and honour the best examples of global sustainable cities in the fields of architecture, design, transportation, and more. The prestigious awards are issued by the Global Forum on Human Settlements, supported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA).

For more information, click here.

14 May 2013 : Infrastructure, space and economy under discussion at Liechtenstein Congress 2013

Tue, 14 May 2013 09:21:35 +0200

Sustainable architecture and planning, property, and infrastructure development will be the focus of the Liechtenstein Congress 2013, which takes place from 6 – 7 June 2013 in Vaduz (Liechtenstein). This year’s edition of the successful series will take an in depth look at climate-stable architecture and planning, urban and regional development, as well as better and sustainable use of resources, leading to greater, more ecologically sound, productivity.

Held in the University of Liechtenstein, the congress will further explore research into self-sufficient energy systems for the region, in particular future storage methods. Participants will engage in discussions surrounding opportunities for added value that can arise from a sustainable approach to the country, municipalities and region. Speakers at the event include Mathis Wackernagel, Conor Moloney, Carmen de Jong and many others.

The 2013/2014 Zurich Climate Prize (Schweiz-Liechtenstein) will also be presented at the congress. The award is given to those projects that make an effective contribution to reduce CO2 emissions, improve energy and resource efficiency, or that result in sustainable behaviour change. Registration for the event is now open. The congress programme can be downloaded online.

For more information, click here.

13 May 2013 : Open European Day to present approaches to climate adaptation

Mon, 13 May 2013 09:25:17 +0200

Outcomes and knowledge from the EU Cities Adapt project will be presented on 3 June 2013 at the event “Cities learning from cities on urban adaptation - Open European Day”, held as part of Resilient Cities 2013. The project, carried out for DG Climate Action, aims to foster peer-to-peer exchange and build capacity for cities to develop adaptation strategies.

Cities are vulnerable to the rising impacts of climate change. How can politicians and practitioners adapt their city systems to extreme weather events, guarantee a high quality of life for their citizens and deal with uncertainties and risks? What is the “acceptable” level of risk and how is this definable? And how can adaptation to climate change be financed?

The 21 pioneer cities taking part in the EU Cities Adapt project, along with other adaptation champions, will share their experience and knowledge at the event. Participation is free of charge and registration is now open.

For more information, click here.

10 May 2013 : EE-Regionen looks at the social and ecological aspect of the German transition to renewable energy

Fri, 10 May 2013 09:44:28 +0200

From 2009 – 2013 the EE-Regionen (Renewable Energy Regions) project examined the transition to renewable energy (RE) in Germany, exploring it not only from a technical point of view, but also asking how it can be achieved in a manner that contributes to social justice and ecological compatibility in communities. In analysing how social-ecological RE self-sufficiency can become a reality, the project enumerated challenges and defined ways to overcome them. The project’s findings were presented at a conference held on 5 March 2013 in Berlin (Germany). Videos from the conference are available online. A guide has also been produced outlining the project outcomes.

“Social justice” not only relates to the importance of spreading the cost of the energy transformation fairly, and in distributing benefits such as increased employment, additional tax revenue, etc. across the locality, but also relates to issues such as protecting the Earth for future generations (inter-generational justice). From a technical stand point, the project focused on the creation of regional electricity and heat production from bio energy.

The broad acceptance of changes by all stakeholders, as well as the involvement of key actors with the knowledge, vision and skills to realise the energy transition, was found to be of crucial importance. Transparency on behalf of local governments, including regular communication with citizens, is also required. The ecological aspect of the energy transition can be enhanced through strategic land use, preventing over use of soil, and through the use of waste biomass and other residues whenever possible. Adapting the transmission and distribution grids is a necessity.

For more information, click here.

7 May 2013 : Registration for European Mobility Week 2013 now open

Tue, 07 May 2013 09:53:15 +0200

All local authorities that represent a town or city are being invited to take part in European Mobility Week (EMW) 2013. The campaign promotes sustainable mobility to citizens, encourages local leaders to enact a new measure to improve public transport, and helps to create a more sustainable mobility culture. Registration can be completed online. Last year’s campaign saw a total of 2,158 cities from 39 countries sign up.

This year, the campaign will focus on cleaning the air through green mobility choices. Under the theme “Clean air – it’s your move!” the link between mobility and air quality will be explored, as well as the health and environmental benefits that come with lowering urban air pollution. More information on this year’s theme is outlined in the Thematic Guidelines 2013.

Cities taking part in EMW commit to three measures: to organise a week of activities around this year’s theme, to implement at least one new permanent measure which shifts private car use to an environmentally sound means of transport, and to set aside one or several areas solely for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport for an entire day.

For more information, click here.

6 May 2013 : Cities encouraged to take part in Earth Hour City Challenge 2014

Mon, 06 May 2013 09:49:04 +0200

Following the convening of the UNFCCC working group tasked with establishing the scope, structure and design of the 2015 global climate agreement, ICLEI has continued to advocate that a greater focus be placed on the role cities are playing in creating a sustainable, low carbon future. To make exemplary local-level examples better known to the international community, both ICLEI and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) are encouraging cities to take part in the Earth Hour City Challenge (EHCC).

The EHCC, an initiative created by the WWF in 2012, highlights and rewards cities that make substantial long-term efforts to combat global warming. In 2013, 66 cities from Canada, India, Italy, Norway, Sweden and the USA participated, with ICLEI member Vancouver (Canada) awarded the title of Global Earth Hour Capital 2013. The upcoming competition has been expanded, with cities across 15 countries invited to take part. Participants will be asked to register their data on the carbonn Cities Climate Registry (cCCR), an internationally recognised carbon reporting platform managed by ICLEI, which will be open for reporting from May – October 2013. Strategies will then be evaluated by an international jury.

Gino Van Begin, Secretary General of ICLEI, which is the focal point of local governments at the UNFCCC, said: “Earth Hour City Challenge has clearly demonstrated that the global level of ambition can be easily raised with ambitious local leaders and actions. Now it is the responsibility of national governments to tap this potential into the new global climate regime.”

For more information, click here.

3 May 2013 : Deadline extended for Global Green City Award application

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:20:53 +0200

The deadline for the prestigious Global Green City Award has been extended from the 30 April 2013 to 15 May 2013. Aimed at cities that have supported sustainable settlements, awards will be presented in a wide range of categories related to this, including “green mobility”, “green technology” and “most impressive residential area”. The Award application form is available online.

The ceremony will be held at the 2013 Global Forum on Human Settlements, which is taking place in ICLEI member Berlin (Germany) from 19 – 20 June 2013. The forum will discuss ways to effectively implement the decisions taken at Rio+20, the United Nations conference on sustainable development.

The main topics on the agenda will be sustainable city planning and design, renewable energy and smart grids, sustainable transport operation and management, and industry electric vehicles.

For more information, click here.

2 May 2013 : Open letter in response to EP's decision against backloading the European Emission Trading System

Thu, 02 May 2013 10:06:49 +0200

The European Parliament has decided against the reform of the European Emission Trading System (ETS). This decision is a serious blow to the many local efforts to reduce carbon footprints, and may have a detrimental effect on the European Union’s ability to reach its goals. It will also weaken the EU’s role during the crucial period of the global climate negotiations between COP 19 in Warsaw and COP 21 in Paris, when the leadership of the European Union is greatly needed. ICLEI Europe has written an open letter to raise its concerns regarding the negative effects this will have for local governments.

The decision of the European Parliament affects local and regional governments in two ways. The income from the sale of emission certificates has been partly used to support considerable local and regional investments, especially in the field of energy efficiency and energetic renovation of buildings. The current decision drastically reduces funds, which will slow down the implementation of these local actions and negatively affect local economies.

Also, the current situation in the ETS leads to an unbalanced sharing of burden. While local governments invest and take on responsibility, large parts of industry continue to emit and pollute. While local governments need a strong framework to encourage private industry to take action and to develop strong cooperation between the sectors, the current situation leads to the contrary based on the argument that higher prices would aggravate the economic crisis. However, ICLEI strongly believes that the suggested reform and backloading of the ETS would lead to greater investment into state of the art technology for energy efficiency and renewable energy, thereby supporting the forward leading industries and markets in Europe.

To view the full text of the open letter, click here.

30 April 2013 : Barcelona works with citizens to redefine and commit to sustainability for the coming decade

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:34:43 +0200

In 1995 Barcelona City Council (Spain) signed the Aalborg Charter, committing it to working in accordance with sustainable development principles. Signing the document was the first step in building a Local Agenda 21 roadmap. Following an extensive consultation process, Barcelona defined its own Agenda 21 in Citizen Commitment to Sustainability 2002-2012, a broadly supported document which involved over 800 organisations - among them schools, associations, businesses, universities, trade unions etc - and defined principles, objectives and lines of action to move towards a better city.

The city has now produced an updated version for the period 2012 – 2022, renewing citizen commitment for the coming decade. Citizen Commitment to Sustainability 2012-2022 has been developed and jointly agreed on through many different contributions. All civic organisations have been invited to get involved and contribute. The document has been shaped by signatory conventions and associated participatory processes, working groups created specifically within the Municipal Council for Environment and Sustainability, international reference documents - particularly the strategies of ICLEI -, the Rio+20 outcomes and more.

The development of the new document was also informed by the tremendous progress made in the city over the last ten years. During this time, Barcelona fine-tuned ideas about what is good for the city and how to achieve it, initiated collaborative projects, and had its work recognised internationally by UN-HABITAT and other institutions. The current socioeconomic situation and the shift in citizen values that has also taken place in Barcelona have been key in achieving a transversal and an ambitious commitment that incorporates all emerging local and global issues relevant for the next 10 years.

For more information, click here.

29 April 2013 : UCLG World Congress focuses on future of the Millenium Development Goals

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:10:16 +0200

The World Summit of Local and Regional Leaders - 4th UCLG World Congress takes place from 1 to 4 October 2013 in Rabat (Morocco), and will allow local and regional representatives, technicians, and institutional partners to take part in projects centred on the future of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) at the end of their term in 2015. The event will also look at the implementation of a new world urban agenda in the framework of Habitat III, set for 2016.

Under the theme “Imagine Society, Build Democracy”, the Summit presents an occasion to debate local concrete solutions to world problems. It is also an occasion to define policies and actions to support local and regional authorities’ contributions to the strategic objectives of the international development agenda.

The World Summit offers networking opportunities with both international counterparts and private companies who wish to discuss implementing public-private partnerships. The event is organised by United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), an organisation which represents the interests of local governments on the world stage.

For more information, click here.

25 April 2013 : Paper recycling initiatives invited to apply for fourth European Paper Recycling Award

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 12:10:48 +0200

NGOs, educational institutes, local authorities and industry have implemented many innovative projects to enhance paper recycling across Europe, but these initiatives are generally not well known. By promoting these initiatives and raising their profile with an award, the European Recovered Paper Council (ERPC) recognises these efforts and hopes to inspire others to copy good practices. The award will identify projects, initiatives and campaigns that contribute to European sustainability through supporting paper recycling.

“Recycling is the key to achieving sustainability in production and consumption in Europe. Paper recycling, in particular, contributes significantly to green growth, combating climate change and improving resource efficiency. This makes a valuable contribution to the environment”, explains Beatrice Klose, Chairperson of the ERPC. Eligible projects, initiatives or campaigns will be evaluated on several aspects, including: relevance and originality; achievements; possibility to reproduce the project; and cost effectiveness. Awards will be presented in the categories of information and education, and technology improvement and research and design.

All entries must be submitted by Friday 28 June 2013. An independent jury, gathered from across Europe, will judge the entries in each category. The jury includes representatives from European institutions as well as civic organisations and NGOs. Recognition of the winning candidate’s efforts will be accompanied by an original piece of paper artwork, which will be officially handed over to the winners at an award ceremony held in the European Parliament.

For more information, click here.

23 April 2013 : Association of Croatian cities awards Koprivnica for best practices

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:29:41 +0200

The City of Koprivnica (Croatia) has received two INpul awards for their innovative practices in local government. Presented by the Croatian Association of Cities, Koprivnica received awards in the categories of energy efficiency for the programme “Bold New Face of Koprivnica”, and preschool education for the project “Save, Help and Rescue the Earth” by the Municipal kindergarten Tratincica. Koprivnica was the only city to receive two awards at the ceremony, held in the Croatian capital Zagreb on 9 April 2013.

The prestigious awards were presented by Dinko Pirak, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Association of Cities and coordinator of the jury, to acting Mayor of Koprivnica Vesna Zeljeznjak. The INpul awards aim to collect, publish, assess, disseminate and reward best practice in local governments. This year, 27 cities responded with 71 projects and programmes in five categories: environmental protection and spatial planning, energy efficiency, preschool education, encouraging economic development and cooperation with citizens and civil society organisations.

The programme “Bold New Face of Koprivnica” is part of the Sustainable Energy Action Plan for the city. It includes energy efficiency measures in housing, wastewater management, energy efficient public lighting, sustainable spatial planning and sustainable transport measures. The most prominent activities of the programme are the development of energy efficient residential areas and a zero emission university campus, in which a number of passive houses and blocks of flats have already been constructed.

For more information, click here.

22 April 2013 : Sustainable local production key to solving economic crisis

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 10:05:31 +0200

At the biggest conference on sustainable development in Europe, the 7th European Conference on Sustainable Cities and Towns, which took place from 17 – 19 April 2013, delegates discussed how cities can drive a transition towards sustainability in the face of the current economic, environmental and social crises. As global policy processes have failed to put the world on the track to sustainability, hopes are increasingly placed on local and regional actors. However, as cities across Europe are struggling with austerity measures, can they meet the challenge to drive this transition?

Wolfgang Teubner, Regional Director of ICLEI Europe says, “The notion that social and environmental concerns need to be put on hold until the economic crisis has been solved fails to recognise the linkages between these. There are huge opportunities to strengthen the local economy through sustainable investments. There is enormous potential for economic benefits through smart spending for example on improving the energy performance of buildings, better water resource management and adapting cities to the impacts of climate change.” Yet, to drive a transition towards sustainability, cities need to start producing their supplies locally to a larger extent than today. Mr. Teubner explains, “Local production of renewable energy and food will not only reduce the ecological footprint but the value created will also benefit the local economy.”

Sandrine Salerno, Vice-Mayor of the City of Geneva (Switzerland), adds, “Geneva 2013 has brought together representatives from all levels of government to build a strong local and regional foundation for the sustainable development of our societies in Europe and beyond. Geneva as a centre of humanism, multilateralism, peace and international solidarity has provided a symbolic location”. The conference saw the launch of the European Sustainable Cities Platform. The online information hub brings together topics and initiatives dealing with urban sustainability and will encourage international collaboration on sustainable local solutions.

For more information, click here.

18 April 2013 : 7th European Conference on Sustainable Cities & Towns kicks off

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 18:24:47 +0200

The 7th European Conference on Sustainable Cities and Towns, the biggest conference on sustainable development in Europe, opened yesterday in Geneva (Switzerland). A distinguished line-up of speakers offered inspiration for overcoming current crises and solutions to bridge the gap between economy, environment and society. Speakers included Micheline Calmy-Rey, Former President of the Swiss Confederation, Saskia Sassen, Professor of Sociology at the University of Columbia (USA), Janez Potocnik, European Commissioner for the Environment, and Brice Lalonde, UN Executive Coordinator of Rio+20.

Speakers agreed on the need to fundamentally revise unsustainable economic practices, not only as a means to overcome the scarcity of resources, but to secure prosperity into the future. Running from 17-19 April 2013, delegates from Europe and further afield, encompassing local and national governments, European and international organisations, as well as business, research and NGO associates will discuss solutions that harness the potential of cities to put Europe on a path to sustainability.

Particular attention is being paid to governance and innovative financing as key aspects of such a transition. Interactive break-out sessions are set to delve into a variety of specific topics in-depth. Sandrine Salerno, Vice-President of the City of the Geneva that generously hosts the event welcomed participants to the conference. For live updates from the conference follow #sustainablegeneva on Twitter. You will also find some pictures on Flickr.

For more information, click here.

16 April 2013 : Hamburg reflects on time as European Green Capital 2011 in new report

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 19:48:44 +0200

The City of Hamburg (Germany) has outlined its experience as European Green Capital (EGC) 2011, detailing its efforts to win the prestigious title as well as the huge amount of activities arranged during the year. The Final Report looks at such initiatives as the city’s Environmental tours and the “Train of Ideas” - an actual train housing an exhibition on environmental issues and urban sustainability that toured 17 European cities.

The report also delves into the logistical side of the city’s EGC tenure, such as its communication strategy and the campaigns launched by public enterprises, higher education and scientific institutions. The city used its position to greatly enhance networking among European cities, improving knowledge-sharing at national and international level, and promoting best practice examples.

The report stresses that the title has encouraged the city to continue its exemplary environmental work. Hamburg has set ambitious climate protection goals such as reducing its CO2 emissions by 40 percent by 2020 and by 80 percent by the year 2050. CO2 emissions per person have been reduced by about 15 percent when compared to 1990 - a major achievement for a big city.

For more information, click here.

15 April 2013 : Registration opens - Local Renewables 2013 focuses on developing solar cities and regions

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 09:50:24 +0200

Interested in practical guidance on how to optimise your local renewable energy potentials? What can cities and regions do today to shape their renewable energy future? Join the Local Renewables 2013 Conference to get access to examples, ideas and support for local governments in shaping their solar cities and regions.

Held from 24-25 October 2013 in Freiburg, Germany’s Most Sustainable Major City of 2012, the Local Renewables 2013 Conference programme contains highly interactive sessions offering practical advice and guidance to local decision-makers and technical municipal staff.

Local policy-makers, representatives of all levels of government, energy agencies, researchers and business representatives are invited to register for the conference and benefit from the early-bird fee. Those who take part in the conference will explore how municipalities and regions can embrace clean, sustainable energy solutions, and tackle financial, planning and regulatory challenges.

For more information, click here.

12 April 2013 : Deadline approaches for Global Green City Award application

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 10:12:33 +0200

The prestigious Global Green City Award will be presented at the 2013 Global Forum on Human Settlements, rewarding cities deemed to have done the most to support sustainable settlements. Awards will be given in a wide range of categories, from green mobility to green technology to the most impressive residential area. The deadline for award application is 30 April 2013.

The forum, taking place in Berlin (Germany) from 19 – 20 June 2013, will discuss ways to effectively implement the decisions taken at Rio+20, the United Nations conference on sustainable development.

The main topics on the agenda will be sustainable city planning and design, renewable energy and smart grids, sustainable transport operation and management, and industry electric vehicles.

For more information, click here.

11 April 2013 : Last chance to register for 7th European Conference on Sustainable Cities & Towns

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 09:43:00 +0200

Join over 200 leading international experts in the field of local sustainability at Geneva 2013, from 17 – 19 April. Participants, together with key representatives of local and national governments, European and international organisations, business, research and NGO associates, will debate sustainability in the context of current European crises.

The conference will explore how the development of a green and socially responsible economy can help local governments to address economic, environmental and social challenges. The large number of speakers, drawn from an array of fields, will result in a truly rounded conference experience. Latest confirmations include Peter Head, Executive chair, Ecological Sequestration Trust and Chairman of the Institute for Sustainability; Jan Dusik, Acting Regional Director for Europe, UNEP; and Herbert Girardet, Co-Founder of the World Future Council.

Workshops on-site will provide an opportunity to gain practical insight into a range of sustainable areas in Geneva. These workshops are almost full - take this opportunity to secure your place in the one that most appeals to you. Registration for the conference - the biggest European event on sustainable development - is available online.

For more information, click here.

10 April 2013 : Symposium seeks original urban sustainability presentations

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 09:49:54 +0200

Young people are invited to deliver their ideas and projects on urban sustainability at the Science Slam on Sustainable Cities as part of the Built Environment Symposium, taking place in Alpbach (Austria) from 29 – 30 August 2013. Contributions should focus on questions around sustainable cities, such as the future of traffic, urban adaption to climate change, sustainable consumption, and so on.

The initiative is specifically aimed at those studying or working in a related field to urban sustainability. Each candidate will be allotted eight minutes for their presentation (with a maximum of three power point slides) and the most creative, interesting, and entertaining proposal, as selected by the audience, will be awarded.

To apply, candidates should send their CV and a brief synopsis of their idea and project, as well as details on the way it will be presented, to the European Forum Alpbach by April 30 2013. The most promising proposals will be invited to participate at the symposium.

For more information, click here.

8 April 2013 : ICLEI member Bristol introduces own currency to support local business

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 09:52:02 +0200

In September 2012, the Bristol Pound was launched. It is the UK’s first city-wide complementary currency and, as of March 2013, there is over £B 140,000 in circulation. These currencies encourage people to shop at locally-based independent stores and encourage businesses to source locally, keeping money in the local economy. This can also shorten supply-chains, reducing carbon emissions from transport of goods, and develop resilience to external shocks, like oil price rises.

Mark Burton, co-founder of the Bristol Pound, said: “The Bristol Pound is a systemic intervention – sustainability requires recognition that social, environmental and economic concerns are interlinked. The Bristol Pound can have positive impacts across these issues. And as it becomes more established the city gains more ability to shape how money can be used; to develop a prosperous, resilient and sustainable city. The Bristol Pound is an important social structure which opens up many more possibilities for change.” Mark also noted that the scheme has benefitted from institutional support: “The Council have enabled local businesses to pay businesses rates with the Bristol Pound, which has helped embed it in the local economy. It is also fantastic when local leaders lead by example – George Ferguson, Bristol’s newly-elected Mayor, accepting his salary in Bristol Pounds gives a powerful signal to the city.”

The Bristol Pound is the first local currency to have partnered with a fully-regulated financial institution. This link with Bristol Credit Union provides security, credibility and professional expertise to the scheme. Darren Hall, Manager of the Bristol Green Capital Partnership, commented: “The Bristol Pound was the first project to receive funding from our Community Challenge Fund – it has been fantastic to see it go from strength to strength. The fund has really proved it can help catalytic projects at their inception.”

For more information, click here.

5 April 2013 : Register now for Informed Cities Forum 2013 & InContext Final Conference

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 17:35:42 +0200

Taking place in ICLEI Member Berlin (Germany) from 6-7 June 2013, this exciting event will bring together local government and community representatives, researchers and other actors interested in exploring how, through working together, we can facilitate change and move towards better places, stronger communities and resilient societies. The conference announcement can be viewed online.

Confirmed speakers include Carles Agustí Hernández, the Commissioner for Citizens’ Participation of the Barcelona City Council and Co-President of the International Observatory on the Participatory Democracy, Derk Loorbach, Director of the Dutch Research Institute for Transitions, Jill Jäger, Senior Researcher from the Sustainable Europe Research Institute and Chiara Camponeschi of Enabling City. As a participant, you will have the opportunity to reflect on your own role in making change happen, present your experience, as well as get plenty of ideas for future action. Registration can be completed online.

Those present will explore how to create space for change in communities through discussions and interactive sessions with like-minded people from across Europe, but also through experiencing how change feels, thanks to theatre performances woven into the programme and a selection of study visits to Berlin’s most inspiring places. The conference is free of charge and limited funds are available for travel reimbursement – requests coming from local government representatives will be given a priority.

For more information, click here, or contact incontext@ecologic.eu.

4 April 2013 : Covenant conference examines successful local energy plan approaches

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 10:10:34 +0200

More than 150 people attended the event “Delivering on the Covenant of Mayors”, held in Brussels (Belgium), which focused on communities going beyond the EU’s 2020 climate and energy targets. Highlights of several projects were shared, examining experiences of Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP) development and monitoring in cities and towns across Europe. The conference was organised under the auspices of the Covenant of Mayors, with the sponsorship of ManagEnergy, a support initiative of the Intelligent Energy - Europe (IEE) programme.

Outputs from the ENERGY FOR MAYORS project, the first IEE-funded project that addressed Covenant Coordinators and Supporters, were shared. This included a presentation of Miriam Badino from the Province of Genoa on the “joint SEAP approach”, in which smaller municipalities grouped together to achieve greater energy efficiency. Two informative videos were shown, outlining how the project guided local action.

ICLEI’s Maryke van Staden presented the online Toolbox of Methodologies on climate and energy, a collection of more than 1000 useful resources in multiple languages, offering guidance on improving SEAPs. Marjian Maras of ICLEI member Zagreb (Croatia), a city widely known as an ambitious and successful CoM signatory, summed up their accomplishments, saying: “Good preparation is essential for success – in this case, we really understand the dynamics of our city, thanks to close cooperation with energy suppliers, institutions, citizens and stakeholders”.

For more information, click here.

3 April 2013 : Delivery and Servicing Plan toolkit to be launched at TRAILBLAZER conference

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 10:06:32 +0200

Four experienced European municipalities will outline practical implementation of Delivery and Servicing Plans at the upcoming TRAILBLAZER urban freight conference. The event will be held on 25 April 2013 in the City of Prague (Czech Republic).

The conference will also include the launch of the Delivery and Servicing Plan toolkit, the complete guide to implementing a Delivery and Servicing Plan. Participants will hear presentations about cleaner and energy efficient freight movements in urban areas (C-LIEGE) and methods to improve air quality and fleet operational efficiency (ECOSTARS).

Participants will also get the chance to take part in a study tour to a local urban logistics facility. The conference is organised by ICLEI, Centrum Dopravního Výzkumu (Czech Transport Research Centre) and Transport & Travel Research. Registration is available online, or by contacting secretariat@trailblazer.eu.

For more information, click here.

28 March 2013 : STA resource database facilitates green public procurement of forest products

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 10:04:29 +0100

A variety of tools have been developed by organisations across the EU to help local authorities better engage in green public procurement (GPP) of timber and timber products. To ensure stakeholders get the greatest benefit from these resources, IDH The Sustainable Trade Initiative, ICLEI and Probos have jointly launched a resource database, allowing users to share and exchange valuable materials. The database is hosted on the Sustainable Timber Action website and complements the tools already available from the project.

“The public sector purchases an estimated 15 percent of all timber and paper sold in Europe each year, for building and civil construction, office and outdoor furniture, and office paper and stationery” explained Mark Hidson, Director of Sustainable Procurement at ICLEI. “If these products are sourced from sustainably managed forests it will have a hugely positive impact by shifting the market towards sustainably produced timber.”

The three organisations joined together to expand existing activities and facilitate exchange of tools and experiences. Patrick Jansen, Managing Director of Probos said: “The aim is simple: to bring GPP of timber from commitment to compliance in various European countries and accelerate market transformation towards mainstream sustainability”. There are currently 75 resources to be found in the database, and organisations are encouraged to add more.

To view the database, click here.

26 March 2013 : Invitation provides detailed look at 7th European Conference on Sustainable Cities & Towns

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 10:36:55 +0100

The Final Invitation to the 7th European Conference on Sustainable Cities & Towns, taking place in Geneva (Switzerland) from 17 – 19 April 2013, has been released. The document contains the latest information on the conference programme, Break-out Sessions, Workshops on-site, social events, confirmed speakers and more.

More than 200 speakers will join the conference, who, together with key representatives of local and national governments, European and international organisations, business, research and NGO associates, will debate sustainability in the context of current European crises. Furthermore, the conference will explore how the development of a green and socially responsible economy can help local governments to address economic, environmental and social challenges.

Those interested are advised to register as soon as possible to secure a place, ensuring the chance to take part in the biggest European conference on sustainable development. The event comes ten months after Rio+20, the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development.

To view the invitation, click here.

25 March 2013 : Dublin to provide renewable energy education through city centre installation

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 16:31:22 +0100

In an effort to improve citizens’ knowledge of renewable energy, ICLEI member Dublin (Ireland) launched a competition to design a smart energy feature for Dublin’s city centre. The feature is intended to inform and educate the public in a creative and innovative way. A shortlist of entries has been drawn up, with the winner due to be announced on 23 April 2013.

The winning design must highlight renewable energy supply and demand, but the means to do so are entirely open to the applicant. The successful individual or team will receive a commission of €18,000 to develop their design to tender-ready stage. Fabrication and installation of the design will then take place, with a total budget of €126,000 available.

Although the feature will be a physical installation, it will also be complemented by a virtual component which will demonstrate the potential of renewable energy technologies. As part of the project, a further €250,000 will go towards the retrofitting of Dublin’s Kevin Street Library, which will include a dedicated space for renewable energy information in Dublin.

For more information, click here.

21 March 2013 : Kari Porra honoured for environmental service, improving city links in Germany

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 10:34:17 +0100

Kari Porra, ICLEI liaison in member city Lahti (Finland) has received the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. Initiated by the City of Suhl (Germany) – twin city of Lahti – and its Lord Mayor Jens Triebel, the Federal Cross of Merit on ribbon (Bundesverdienstkreuz am Bande) was presented to Mr. Porra on 27 February 2013 in the Thuringia State Chancellery in Erfurt (Germany).

The city and the mayor’s goal was to honour the work Kari has been doing for decades in service of both environmental protection and improving links between the cities. “By proposing him for the order I wanted to send a signal that I bow low before Kari Porra’s performance and the quality of his work”, said Lord Mayor Triebel.

Based on Kari’s work there is close cooperation between the twin cities Suhl and Lahti, such as in the field of waste management and recycling, and the use of renewable energies. As director of the environmental administration in Lahti, he has contributed with “perseverance and inner conviction” to the ecological restoration of the city and helped to develop it into a centre for environmental research and technology. ICLEI would like to express its sincere congratulations to Mr. Porra, and looks forward to continuing our working relationship in years to come.

For more information, click here.

19 March 2013 : High-level talks aim to put Rio+20 outcomes into practice

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 11:14:11 +0100

Every year the international negotiations on sustainable development aim to bring us globally closer to "the future we want." At last year’s Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development, a comprehensive outcome document of that title was adopted and subsequently endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly. Whereas the Rio+20 Conference laid the foundation and charted the overall course for the desirable and needed policy action towards a more sustainable future, the challenges ahead lie in rapidly and effectively implementing the decisions taken by the national governments.

As such, ICLEI is proud to be a cooperation partner of the High-level Dialogue on Implementing Rio+20 Decisions on Sustainable Cities and Urban Transport & 2013 Global Forum on Human Settlements, taking place 19-20 June 2013 in Berlin (Germany). The main topics on the agenda will be urban (transport) planning and construction, sustainable transport operation and management, sustainable transport innovation policies and models, and industry electric vehicles.

Other topics on the agenda include sustainable city planning and design, sustainable construction, and renewable energy and smart grids. Speakers include high-level officials of the UN and EU, mayors from Berlin and other renowned cities, experts and scholars, representatives from international organisations, and industry associations. A prestigious award will also be presented at the ceremony, rewarding the cities deemed to have done the most to support sustainable settlements. Awards will be given in a wide range of categories, from green mobility to green technology to the most impressive residential area. The Global Green City Award application form is available online.

For more information, click here.

18 March 2013 : A month to go until the 7th European Conference on Sustainable Cities & Towns in Geneva, Switzerland

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 09:45:08 +0100

The 7th European Conference on Sustainable Cities & Towns, running from 17-19 April 2013, will explore how the development of a green and socially responsible economy can support local governments in addressing economic, social and environmental challenges. Those who register before 22 March 2013 can avail of the early bird registration fee.

Leading experts such as Janez Potočnik, European Commissioner for the Environment, Saskia Sassen, a top global thinker renowned for her analysis of cities and globalisation, Brice Lalonde, UN Executive Coordinator of the Rio +20 Summit and Roland Kupers, Research Director THNK (the Netherlands) and Associate Fellow of the University of Oxford (UK) will give their views on the role of local governments in providing sustainable answers to the pressing issues facing Europe. Representatives from several Directorate-Generals from the European Commission, and mayors and deputy mayors from sustainably advanced European cities will also attend.

All levels of governments will be present, and will outline their experience in finding sustainable solutions. Interactive break-out sessions will delve into the most topical developments in the field, while workshops on-site will offer participants the chance to explore a wide variety of sites in the Geneva area, and provide cutting-edge examples of citizen involvement and local partnerships.

For more information, click here.

15 March 2013 : Poly-SUMP envisages the future of regional sustainable mobility

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:43:05 +0200

Poly-SUMP – Planning sustainable mobility together – launched the first of a series of a workshops last week in Ancona (Italy). Representatives from eight countries in Europe discussed their vision and plans for the future of sustainable mobility, which for the first time addressed poly-centric regions - areas where services and goods, and therefore transport needs, are scattered in different towns. In an innovative and participatory process, participants identified a common profile for poly-centric regions: high use of private cars, high costs for public transport services inside the region, the need for innovation in mobility services, and scarce coordination of mobility services at the different levels.

Action plans for a shared vision on mobility scenarios for 2043 were developed and concrete measures identified, including: implementing better real time services at the scale of the region; improving cross border services in trans-national regions; establishing a strategy for smart polycentric regions to keep their competitive advantage despite rising energy costs and falling public budgets; lowering the costs of green infrastructures to encourage a transport shift towards more sustainable transport modes; and improving governance by managing the mobility strategy at regional level, with high involvement of stakeholders and the local population.

In the coming months and years, Poly-SUMP will continue its work by organising local future workshops in six regions, with a vision to deliver guidelines for the development of mobility plans for all regions in Europe, “with and for the citizens”, as Mr Sergio Strali, Transport Director of Marche Region (Italy), and coordinator of the project, stressed in his opening speech.

For more information, click here.

15 March 2013 : Early insight into developing solar cities at Local Renewables 2013

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 11:38:21 +0100

Practical solutions, from planning to implementation, will be the focus of Local Renewables Freiburg 2013 - Shaping your Solar City. The City of Freiburg (Germany), awarded in 2012 as “Germany’s Most Sustainable Major City,” and ICLEI Europe are collaborating for the sixth time to deliver an interactive, high-quality event.

The conference will focus on what local governments and stakeholders can do today to achieve low-carbon economies. Is it possible meet ambitious targets? How does a city become a pioneer in the field of energy? What are the financing options for solar city development? The Local Renewables 2013 programme will explore answers to these questions.

Join us and find out how municipalities can embrace clean, sustainable energy solutions, and tackle financial, planning and regulatory challenges when developing their solar city. Experts will share their knowledge and guidance – offering practical advice to local decision-makers and technical municipal staff. The programme is available online.

For more information, click here.

13 March 2013 : TRAILBLAZER – Urban Freight Conference, 25 April, Prague

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 09:32:15 +0100

The upcoming TRAILBLAZER (TRansport And Innovation Logistics By Local Authorities with a Zest for Efficiency and Realisation) urban freight conference will see four European municipalities with experience of saving energy in delivery supply chains outline methods for practical implementation of Delivery and Servicing Plans. The event will be held on 25 April 2013 in the City of Prague (Czech Republic).

The conference will also include the launch of the Delivery and Servicing Plan toolkit, the complete guide to implementing a Delivery and Servicing Plan. Delegates will hear presentations about cleaner and energy efficient freight movements in urban areas (C-LIEGE) and improving air quality and fleet operational efficiency (ECOSTARS).

Participants will also get the chance to take part in a study tour to a local urban logistics facility. The conference is organised by ICLEI, Centrum Dopravního Výzkumu (Transport Research Centre) and Transport & Travel Research. Registration is available online, or by contacting secretariat@trailblazer.eu.

For more information, click here

12 March 2013 : ICLEI partners with Connect4Climate

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 09:12:16 +0100

ICLEI is now a knowledge partner of the Connect4Climate (C4C) programme. Launched in September 2011 by the World Bank, the Italian Ministry of Environment, and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in collaboration with more than 150 knowledge partners, C4C is a global partnership programme dedicated to climate change communication.

With a growing list of knowledge partners, C4C aims to act as a convener of all parties with an interest in raising awareness about climate change issues and participating in an interactive, global dialogue on climate change.

Through social media and the web, C4C helps to amplify voices of local stakeholders that have stories to tell about climate change. Described as a campaign, a coalition, and a community, the site aims to create an open and neutral space where all are free to exchange ideas and climate solutions.

For more information, click here.

8 March 2013 : Waste Less Chianti project encourages waste separation

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 09:05:29 +0100

A new collection system for residual waste is being tested in the Italian municipalities of Greve in Chianti, San Casciano in Val di Pesa and Tavarnelle Val di Pesa in the Florentine Chianti. Waste authority Quadrifoglio installed new bins that require the insertion of a personalised electronic memory stick to open, reducing the possibility of throwing out waste without first making a proper separation and encouraging more conscientious behaviour.

The testing phase involves over 10,000 users and aims to reduce total municipal waste generation by 10 percent. It is also planned that the rate of waste separate collection will increase by over 65 percent in all municipalities. Based on the results of the testing phase, the system will be gradually extended to the whole territory.

This project is part of the ongoing actions of the LIFE+ Waste Less Chianti project, which aims to contribute to the success of the European and National policies on waste prevention and sustainable consumption through the implementation and monitoring of an integrated waste prevention and reduction programme in Chianti.

For more information, click here.

7 March 2013 : Zagreb and Aberdeen announced as winners of prestigious mobility awards

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 10:24:34 +0100

ICLEI member Zagreb (Croatia) was last night revealed as the winner of the 2012 European Mobility Week (EMW) Award at a prestigious ceremony in Brussels’ Vaudeville theatre. Fellow ICLEI member Aberdeen (United Kingdom) was chosen as the 2012 Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMP) award winner. The SUMP award is given to the city deemed to have done the most to achieve a sustainable mobility mix through creating a dedicated mobility plan.

The Croatian capital was praised for its innovative approach to citizen engagement, which transformed EMW into a weeklong celebration. Speaking at the event, Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik praised the work of cities and citizens in embracing more sustainable transport, saying: “if we all take small steps, together we take a giant leap forward”. Siim Kallas, Commissioner for Transport, introduced the SUMP awards, calling the mobility plans “powerful tools to achieve change”.

2011 winner Bologna gave a presentation on its mobility activities. Representative Chiara Cavicchi told cities that this award “represents not a point of arrival, but a reason to revitalize new activities and renew the impetus to promote sustainable mobility”.

For more information, click here.

5 March 2013 : Car-free mobility the focus of upcoming CIVITAS workshop

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 09:30:50 +0100

Facilitating less car-dependent lifestyles for citizens may seem like an uphill struggle, but through smart planning it can be achieved. The upcoming CIVITAS workshop “Effective solutions for green urban transport - Learning from CIVITAS cities” will examine the practicalities of this, particularly looking at car-pooling and sharing, and public bicycle schemes. Effective mobility management, including planning, marketing and conducting public consultations, is also on the agenda.

Taking place on 16 April 2013 within the 7th European Sustainable Cities and Towns Conference, Geneva (Switzerland), examples from pioneering CIVITAS cities will be showcased, with the cities themselves presenting their achievements. Ways in which participants can replicate these measures in their own city contexts will also be made apparent.

The workshops will be an interactive mix of presentations and discussions, with participants encouraged to ask questions and engage with speakers. The workshop is free of charge but places are limited. Registration is available online.

For more information, click here.

4 March 2013 : Improving the energy-efficiency of historic buildings through refurbishment

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 10:31:33 +0100

Bologna (Italy) will host a series of ICLEI-organised events providing knowledge on increasing the energy-efficiency of historic buildings through refurbishment. Recommendations and experiences on how to save historically important buildings after natural disasters will be discussed.

The workshop “Preserving community history through energy efficiency” will take place on 23 April 2013, and will place a particular focus on the economic feasibility of refurbishment. The following day, a study tour will be held aimed at local decision-makers and technical staff working with monument protection, building upkeep and energy in the Mediterranean region.

It will look at how energy-efficiency can be improved and renewable energy utilised whilst retaining the building’s cultural heritage. The benefits that can be brought to the community through such a scheme will also be explored. Both events are organised as part of the 3ENCULT project.

For more information, click here.

28 February 2013 : Adaptation capacity building at Open European Day

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 11:05:07 +0100

As the effects of climate change become increasingly severe and are felt on a more frequent basis, the need for cities to develop an adaptation plan is clear. The upcoming event Open European Day, which will be held as part of Resilient Cities 2013, is a chance for cities to build capacity for adaptation, with an emphasis on city to city learning. Participation is free of charge.

Taking place on 3 June, the Open European Day coincides with the final conference of EU Cities Adapt, a key project on urban adaptation in Europe, financed by the European Commission (Directorate-General for Climate Action). Interactive-workshops will be favoured over presentations, with participants tackling such questions as what does adaptation cost and how can we finance it?, how do we define and communicate risk levels?, and what is the role that the EU can play to help cities becoming more resilient to the adverse impacts of climate change?

European cities and city administrations are the focus of the event, but stakeholders from other regions are welcome to participate also. The event is planned to become a regular platform for European cities to exchange experiences on practical challenges and adaptation solutions towards local climate resilience. The host conference, Resilient Cities 2013, runs from 31 May – 2 June in Bonn (Germany), and will explore a wide range of topics around adaptation and resilience planning.

For more information, click here.

26 February 2013 : ISES Solar World Congress focuses on the future of renewable energy

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 10:06:34 +0100

Over 1,000 participants are expected to travel to Cancun (Mexico) to take part in the ISES Solar World Congress 2013, an event which will highlight developments driving the increase in renewable energy uptake. Running from 3 – 7 November 2013, the conference is hosted by the International Solar Energy Society (ISES) and the Mexican Solar Energy Association (ANES).

The theme of the 2013 conference is “Renewable Energy for All”, and a particular emphasis will be placed on technologies, deployment strategies and policy initiatives and incentives. The programme will be international in scope, with topics relevant to Mexico and Latin America integrated. A commercial exhibition with international companies working in the solar energy field will be held alongside the conference.

Participants are invited from all sectors of renewable energies, including scientists and researchers, engineers, architects, consultants, business and industry leaders, policy makers, as well as students and educators. The congress will comprise an extensive scientific programme, keynote presentations, plenary speeches and numerous side-meetings.

For more information, click here.

25 February 2013 : Växjö aims to go fossil fuel free

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 10:02:52 +0100

The City of Växjö (Sweden) is on track to be fossil fuel free by 2030. To achieve this ambitious goal, the city targeted a range of sectors, and is taking advantage of the abundance of biomass fuel in the area for its district heating scheme. The wood chippings used are waste from the local forest industry, and the ashes that result from production
are scattered as fertiliser.

At present, 51 percent of Växjö’s energy comes from sources such as biomass, hydro power, geothermal and solar energy. The city also has plans to reduce the emissions of fossil fuel by 55 percent per inhabitant by 2015. As of 2011, a 41 percent reduction had been achieved, mainly in the sectors of heating, electricity and transport.

Transport companies, industries and firms in Växjö were approached early on in the project, and were favourable towards switching to renewable energy. High oil prices and subsidies have encouraged households to change their heating systems, with those not connected to the district heating system primarily using wood chip boilers. The municipality has also started investing in passive housing and greater energy efficiency measures.

For more information, click here.

21 February 2013 : Potential effects of climate change on drinking water outlined in ADWICE final report

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 09:27:50 +0100

To better understand the impact climate change will have on European drinking water, the recently ended ADWICE project conducted a thorough literature review. The project’s findings are now available in the form of the final report. The study examined climate change effects on both water quality and quantity, taking into account direct and indirect impacts.

Among the conclusions, it was found that climate change is not necessarily the main threat to drinking water, but rather exacerbates existing problems. Examples of this include increasing evaporation rates, reducing the availability of freshwater due to saline intrusion and changing precipitation patterns, causing more frequent droughts and flooding. Understanding climate change issues in isolation, it was concluded, is counterproductive.

It was also found that there is little benefit in separating water issues from drinking water issues for decision-makers, as it is necessary that water use is considered in a broad sense. The ADWICE project ran for 12 months and was led by BIO Intelligence Service in cooperation with ICLEI Europe, Cranfield University (UK), Istituto di Ricerca sulle Acque (IRSA), and the National Institute of Hydrology and Water Management (NIHWM).

To view the report, click here.

19 February 2013 : 7th European Conference on Sustainable Cities & Towns 3rd announcement launched

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 09:35:45 +0100

The 3rd Announcement of the 7th European Conference on Sustainable Cities & Towns, taking place in Geneva (Switzerland),17 – 19 April 2013 has been released, featuring information on scheduled speakers, the conference programme, break-out sessions, workshops on-site and planned social events. The conference will bring together local and national government delegates, representatives of European and international organisations, as well as representatives of business, research and NGO associates, to tackle the current economic, environmental and social challenges confronting urban areas.

The plenary sessions, which are outlined in detail in the announcement, will address the modern crises in Europe, focusing on sustainable financing and multilevel governance approaches. Cities, as economic hubs, are crucial actors in the transition to a green and socially responsible economy. Cities are also the source of many environmental and social problems, and thus hold the potential to enact lasting improvements. A session for local political leaders will be held during the conference, looking more closely into the question of how public services can be delivered in economically challenging times.

Confirmed speakers include Alexandra van Huffelen, Deputy Mayor, Rotterdam (The Netherlands), Gianni Carbonaro, Head of the Municipal and Regional Unit, European Investment Bank and Mark Atherton, Director of Environment, Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (United Kingdom). Those who register online can avail of the earlybird fee. To get the latest updates about the conference, follow the official facebook page and twitter feed (#sustainablegeneva).

To view the announcement, click here.

18 February 2013 : Green Week conference looks to connect with local air quality events

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 09:00:46 +0100

Under the banner of “cleaner air for all”, the 2013 edition of the Green Week conference - the biggest annual conference on European environment policy - will examine ways to improve the quality of the air we breathe. Taking place from 4 – 7 June 2013 in Brussels (Belgium), the conference is looking to link with local events on air quality.

Despite progress over recent years, levels of harmful pollutants in densely populated areas of Europe still widely exceed several air quality standards. As the European Commission prepares to review its current air quality policy, cities are best-placed to help raise awareness and promote behavioural change among citizens.

Connecting with Green Week will result in greater publicity for local events, and involvement in a Europe-wide campaign. Selected events will also be published on the Green Week website. The theme echoes this year’s European Mobility Week theme, “clean air – it’s your move!”, which seeks to improve air quality through encouraging better mobility choices.

For more information, click here.

14 February 2013 : Oslo to replace vehicle fleet with zero-emission alternatives

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 09:08:38 +0100

Pursuing its objective of having a zero emission vehicle fleet by 2015, the City of Oslo (Norway) has concluded a framework agreement to replace a thousand cars and trucks with environmentally friendly options in the years to come. The move feeds into the city’s “zero emission technology” policy, established in 2010.

Most vehicles, especially small and medium sized cars, will be replaced with an electric alternative. Under the new framework agreement the city will add another 800 electric charging stations to the 500 currently available for public use, and an additional 800 purely for the services vehicles. The new framework agreement also covers fleet management, and allows users to access the status of each car through a web tool in order to plan their activities.

“The framework agreement is an example of how Oslo is in the forefront when it comes to adopting smart and environmentally friendly technology, and that the municipality uses its purchasing power to promote good environmental solutions”, said Oslo Finance Commissioner Kristin Vinje.

For more information, click here.

12 February 2013 : 7th ESCT conference workshops show off the best of host city Geneva

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 09:38:42 +0100

The City of Geneva (Switzerland) and its local partners invite participants attending the 7th European Conference on Sustainable Cities & Towns, running from 17-19 April 2013 in Geneva (Switzerland), to join one of the 15 workshops on-site organised around the Geneva area on the second day of the conference.

The workshops on-site will offer participants the chance to explore a wide variety of sites in the locality, learning about the cutting-edge activities in which Genevans have been immersed in the last years, as well the chance to get to know how local partnerships have been built.

Among other cases, participants will learn how Geneva met the challenge of providing clean energy for Geneva’s Industrial Services’, and how the city managed the trans-border groundwater in a sustainable way. Participants will also have the possibility to walk through the Geneva Botanical Gardens, one of the cultural and scientific jewels of Geneva, as recognised by UNESCO. Participants can ensure their place at the conference and benefit from the early bird fee by registering online.

For more information, click here.

11 February 2013 : Local Renewables 2013 focuses on shaping the solar city

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 09:44:38 +0100

Interested in practical guidance on how to shape a solar city and optimise local renewable energy potentials? The Local Renewables 2013 Conference programme will be packed with examples, ideas and support for local governments in shaping their renewable energy future.

Local policy-makers, representatives of all levels of government, energy agencies, researchers and business representatives will meet in Freiburg (Germany) from 24-25 October 2013 at the 6th Local Renewables Conference. Join us and explore how municipalities can embrace clean, sustainable energy solutions, and tackle financial, planning and regulatory challenges when developing their solar city.

In the current context of financial austerity, growing energy insecurity and resource scarcity, cities are called to act as drivers, moving towards smart cities and low-carbon economies to enable safe, secure and affordable energy in the long term. Added value is seen in stimulating the local economy, generating local jobs and offering a good quality of life to citizens and businesses alike. Many questions remain on where to start and how to plan this transition. Explore options and business models with us in the green City of Freiburg.

For more information, click here.

7 February 2013 : International Earth Hour City Challenge finalists announced

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 10:00:14 +0100

Finalists for the WWF’s Earth Hour City Challenge (EHCC) have been revealed, with European cities Oslo, Arendal, and Stavanger (Norway), Stockholm and Malmö (Sweden) and Siena (Italy) all recognised for their innovative actions on climate change. The European Secretariat is proud to have worked with these cities in the past.

The 17 finalists were selected from 66 entrants and include cities from Canada, India, and the US. One city per country will be presented with the title of Earth Hour Capital, with the jury, which includes ICLEI Secretary General Gino Van Begin, focusing on cities that have developed credible plans for low-carbon development that also meet the needs of their citizens.

Jim Leape, Director General of WWF International said: “We applaud the many local governments who have set extremely ambitious development plans to create desirable cities by providing housing, transportation and energy which improve their citizens’ quality of life while simultaneously reducing their impact on our planet – and we encourage others to follow their lead”.

For more information, click here.