ICLEI European Secretariat

3 February 2012 : Cities and governments unite to save biodiversity in Mediterranean region

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:38:29 +0100

Local authorities and representatives of government met in ICLEI member city Montpellier (France) from 17-19 January to implement the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 in the Mediterranean region. Eighteen countries from the Mediterranean region, including representatives of 15 cities, as well as three mayors, gathered at the first subregional workshop on capacity-building on strategies and action plans for biodiversity for the region as a whole. Participants explored the complementary roles of strategies and action plans, subnational and local implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Strategic Plan.

Montpellier was the ideal host, having recently won French Capital of Biodiversity 2011 and European Capital of Biodiversity. The city’s mayor Hélène Mandroux says, “The City of Montpellier feels compelled to offer its example given its model urban development, with an emphasis on the human aspect, and its remarkable history. We want to be a catalyst for the creation of a possible network of cities in the Mediterranean.”

The meeting provided a unique opportunity to peer-review the draft outlines of the first Global Outlook on Cities and Biodiversity to be presented to the Rio+20 Summit in June 2012 and submitted to the Hyderabad Biodiversity Summit in October. ICLEI Europe encourages all cities in the Mediterranean region to get involved in the initiative and is available to support them in their endeavours. The workshop was co-organised by the City of Montpellier, the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity and ICLEI with the support of the Japan Fund for Biodiversity.

For more information, click here.

1 February 2012 : Budapest’s citizens restrict traffic to reclaim city centre

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:52:26 +0100

ICLEI member Budapest is well on its way to revitalising its historic city centre with the construction of a 1.7 km traffic-calm axis. The development took place in the context of the Heart of Budapest project, which was adopted in 2007 and aims at the comprehensive renewal of most public spaces at the core of the Hungarian capital.

In recent years, the centre of Budapest has lost some of its charm due to the significant increase in private vehicle use, with approximately 8,000 cars per hour being recorded at peak times. The Heart of Budapest encouraged citizens to get on board, with information tents set up to inform and consult local residents and business owners. Restrictions on traffic in the centre followed, with large spaces dedicated to pedestrians and sustainable transport modes.

So far, the results of the programme have been astounding. Central public spaces have become bustling and attractive areas for locals and tourists alike, boasting parks, fountains and even tactile maps for the visually impaired. Many previously vacant retail units have been replaced by high-quality, service oriented establishments, and several run-down historic buildings have been refurbished.

For more information, click here.

31 January 2012 : Resilient Cities 2012 bolsters urban areas faced with climate change

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:46:33 +0100

Now in its third year, the Resilient Cities series has cemented its position as a milestone event in the field of urban resilience and climate adaptation. With over 500 participants expected from diverse geographical and professional backgrounds, Resilient Cities 2012, the third Global Forum on Urban Resilience and Adaptation, is an unmissable event.

Gathering in Bonn (Germany) from 12-15 May 2012, participants will have the opportunity to interact with international experts and learn about groundbreaking topics that cover the public and private sectors, as well as relevant fields of expertise. The special mayors sessions, where elected local-decision makers will gather and take a political lead in the field of climate change adaptation is one guaranteed highlight.

In addition, “Financing the Resilient City”, one of the event's main themes, represents a huge breakthrough towards more sustainable resources for local governments. There will also be a focus on ensuring participants pick up practical ideas, in particular from the Resilient Cities case studies, such as the Reality Check Workshops where selected cities can showcase their adaptation projects and receive critical feedback from the audience. Registration opens at the end of January 2012.

For more information, click here.

30 January 2012 : Rio+20’s zero draft recognises central role of cities to sustainable development

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:04:46 +0100

The local level is taking its place at the heart of preparations for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) taking place in Rio De Janeiro from 20-22 June 2012, with ICLEI playing a crucial role in connecting cities to proceedings. The UN has produced a Zero Draft of the Rio+20 conference outcome entitled “The Future We Want”, based on contributions by key stakeholders and prominently featuring elements of ICLEI’s submission which addressed issues such as urbanisation, climate change and biodiversity loss.

Paragraph 72 of the document puts the spotlight on local strategies for sustainable development stating, “We promote an integrated and holistic approach to planning and building sustainable cities through support to local authorities, efficient transportation and communication networks, greener buildings and an efficient human settlements and service delivery system, improved air and water quality, reduced waste, improved disaster preparedness and response and increased climate resilience”

From ICLEI’s perspective, the draft successfully addresses issues relevant to its work and the role of cities. In addition, in terms of the Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development, the draft acknowledges the urgent need to empower local governments to work more closely with national governments. Finally, under Sustainable Development Goals, due to take over from the Millennium Development Goals in 2015, sustainable cities are mentioned as a priority area.

For more information, click here.

27 January 2012 : Economics of biodiversity to take centre stage at upcoming TEEB conference

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:36:45 +0100

The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) Initiative is holding a conference in Leipzig (Germany) from 19 to 22 March 2012 entitled, Mainstreaming the Economics of Nature: Challenges for Science and Implementation. A major international initiative, TEEB aims to draw attention to the global economic benefits of biodiversity, highlight the growing costs of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation, and draw together expertise from the fields of science, economics and policy.

Issued in 2010, the TEEB reports explored the link between economics, biodiversity and ecosystem services, providing guidance for decisions at the international, national and local levels. A considerable number of local, regional and national initiatives followed, developing the study’s approach further, and adapting it to local conditions and new challenges.

Two years on, the Leipzig TEEB Conference 2012 will take stock of these developments, catalyse the still growing interest in the topic and strengthen the link between policy and research. TEEB is inviting the research and policy community to discuss topics such as environmental valuation, ecosystem services and science-policy processes. Conference participants will have the possibility to discuss the findings of the TEEB study and contribute their own experience to reach a new understanding of the link between economics, decision-making and the environment.

For more information, click here.

26 January 2012 : Münster makes the grade with hands-on approach to green issues

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:15:24 +0100

The innovative approach to green issues adopted by ICLEI member Münster (Germany) has been singled out yet again. The city, which was previously named Most Liveable City Worldwide and the German Climate Capital, recently made the top five of 274 applicants for the coveted European Public Sector Award, which aims to highlight exemplary models of public performance.

The city’s commitment to the environment in the face of limited finances caught the attention of judges. As part of the “Show true colours for Münster” campaign, citizens were motivated to help with the cleaning of parks, to plant flowers and patronise children’s playgrounds. The success stories are numerous, with one run-down park in a disadvantaged area transformed into an animated oasis thanks to the help of locals, many of them unemployed.

The campaign has expanded to cover green planning, with the adoption of a 90 hectare development plan in 2011. Heiner Bruns, head of Münster’s Office for Green Spaces and Environmental Protection, credits the city council’s decision to take on a managerial role and encourage citizens to get involved on the ground: “We still prepare political decisions, but we do it in a very efficient and sustainable way. Because we involve people in the whole process, the politicians get a much better idea of what people want.”

For more information, click here .

24 January 2012 : ICLEI members in final bid for European Mobility Week Award

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:25:02 +0100

From 16 - 22 September 2011, a record 2,268 European towns and cities took part in the tenth annual edition of European Mobility Week (EMW), with citizens from all walks of life getting involved in a wide range of activities to promote sustainable urban mobility. The event aimed at supporting the transition towards a resource-efficient transport system by promoting clean, fuel-efficient modes and human-powered transport.

All participating local authorities were invited to apply for the European Mobility Week Award 2011, which rewards cities whose innovative and effective campaigns were a class apart. So far, an independent panel of transport experts has whittled 22 applications down to a shortlist of ten, of which three have been retained as finalists.

ICLEI is well represented in the competition’s final stages, with Budapest (Hungary) included on the shortlist, and Bologna (Italy) and Zagreb (Croatia) making the cut as finalists. In their assessment, the jury paid close attention to the city’s involvement in the organisation of EMW, the integration of the focal theme within campaign activities and the comprehensiveness of the action plan regarding events and transport measures. The winner will be announced at a ceremony in Brussels (Belgium) on 5 March 2012.

For more information, click here.

23 January 2012 : London and Glasgow commit to sustainable timber procurement

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:36:10 +0100

Cities across the UK have taken the pledge to improve the way they purchase wood and paper, with the goal of protecting forests and conserving biodiversity. ICLEI member cities London and Glasgow (UK) have already achieved the targets set out for them under the World Wildlife Fund’s Local Authorities Timber Pledge.

Local governments are invited to take one of three pledges, graded gold, silver and bronze. First up, to fulfill the bronze pledge, a local authority representative must attend a seminar on responsible procurement of forest products and give key staff training on the topic.

The silver stage involves working with suppliers and contractors to determine the source of timber, while making a clear commitment to buy timber from sustainable sources. Top honours go to municipalities who commit to only buying recycled, certified or sustainable and legal timber products across all departments, with the aid of an efficient recording and monitoring system.

For more information, click here.

20 January 2012 : Heidelberg encourages citizens to embrace solar energy with online tool

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:36:34 +0100

ICLEI member city Heidelberg (Germany) has taken the renewable energy movement online with a new information resource on solar roofs. With just one click, citizens can find out if their roof is suitable for solar thermal or photovoltaic panels. The municipality has high hopes for the tool, with aims to bring the number of households using solar energy from 3000 to 7500 by 2015.

“With the new online tool, we want to encourage our citizens to think about investing in a solar thermal or photovoltaic system, and provide them with basic information about their benefits and the potential for CO₂ emission reductions" said Mayor Eckart Würzner. Peter Erb, Director of Stadtwerke Heidelberg Umwelt, one of the project’s partners, added, "We want to bring the energy revolution to the local level and motivate homeowners and developers to work with us on this."

The resource contains information on the surface area needed for solar panels, as well as estimated money savings and CO₂ reductions. It has been developed within the context of Heidelberg’s climate protection campaign that has been running since 1992. The ambitious action plan further seeks to reduce carbon emissions by 20 percent by 2015 in comparison to figures from 1987.

For more information, click here .

19 January 2012 : Covenant of Mayors films offer glimpse of progress made by cities

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:38:25 +0100

Across Europe, Covenant of Mayors cities are intensifying their efforts to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and improve energy efficiency with a view to securing the future of their citizens. A series of Covenant of Mayors films were unveiled at the initiative’s annual ceremony in November 2011 and provide a glimpse of just how cities are helping to propel the green energy revolution to the next level.

Cameras rolled in Bielsko-Biala (Poland), Frankfurt (Germany), Malmö (Sweden) and the Abruzzo region of Italy as citizens were interviewed about what they would do for the environment if they were in charge and why cutting energy makes sense and saves money. The short films showcase practical examples of local energy production, awareness-raising activities and carbon-free housing initiatives, with picturesque shots of the cities and surrounding regions.

ICLEI member Malmö’s four-minute clip showcases the city's efforts to achieve the targets set out by the Covenant of Mayors, thus reducing carbon emissions by at least 20 percent by 2020. The city hosts the largest green roof in Europe as well as a fleet of biogas buses and a sustainable housing project. ICLEI Europe, a supporting structure of the Covenant of Mayors, is leading a consortium of 18 partners to develop a training programme to help councillors and municipal staff get started with local climate and energy action. More details will follow soon on the Covenant capaCITY website. This project is co-funded by the Intelligent Energy Europe programme.

For more information, click here.

18 January 2012 : ICLEI mentors young local leaders for a brighter tomorrow

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:50:30 +0100

With an eye on the future, ICLEI has developed the Future City Leaders Initiative to motivate the next generation of local leaders to take on the sustainability challenge. The two-year programme hopes to empower committed young municipal leaders to become champions for sustainability within their cities, towns and the global community.

21 young municipal leaders from around the world will be selected to take part in the first course which runs from 2012 to 2014. With the focus firmly on capacity building, participants will benefit from ICLEI’s vast experience in achieving local and global environmental outcomes. They will get the opportunity to attend a number of crucial networking events, including the ICLEI World Congress and Rio +20.

The future decision-makers will further benefit from collaboration with leading experts from the ICLEI Sustainability Faculty, as well as online technical and leadership training. The programme is ideal for local government representatives who have shown outstanding commitment to their community and to the sustainability cause.

For more information, click here.

17 January 2012 : Leicester leads the way with transport innovation project

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:27:10 +0100

ICLEI member Leicester City Council (UK) has teamed up with the University of Leicester to lead a major European project aimed at delivering green traffic management systems in cities. The €2.7 million project, which is funded by the European Commission, will be launched tomorrow at the National Space Centre in Leicester.

Called THE ISSUE (Transport Health Environment – Intelligent Solutions Sustaining Urban Economies), the three-year project will bring scientists, engineers and development agencies from different regions together to develop more effective methods of easing road congestion and improving the urban environment.

Deputy city mayor, Rory Palmer has welcomed the project as a vital step in the right direction saying, "Making Leicester a low carbon city is one of our main priorities and this kind of research will be essential to helping tackle issues around congestion and air quality in the future. I am proud that the city council can help make this work possible."

For more information, click here.

12 January 2012 : Bristol targets energy sector in bid to save millions of pounds

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 11:11:38 +0100

A unique council project that aims to save millions of pounds worth of energy from council buildings was launched in ICLEI member city Bristol (UK) on 11 January. As part of a European-wide project, SmartSpaces, the city council will focus on maximising the data provided by Automatic Meter Readers, which provide data on energy consumption every half hour for almost all of the council’s 500 buildings.

Paul Isbell, energy manager at Bristol City Council, said, “For the first time ever we are hoping we will be able to take ICT to the next level in this field, to use all this data on energy consumption in buildings and create a system so that we can use it meaningfully. We are estimating that we should be able to reduce the council’s energy usage by about 10 percent, approximately £1 million of savings every year.”

There are over 2,100 electricity, gas, oil and renewable energy metered points and the challenge is to create a smart system that can make better, smarter use of all of this data and report both locally and internationally in a simple and understandable format. This will be achieved by working closely with the council’s energy management software provider and partner in the project and representatives at each building or site. The aim is to achieve better energy monitoring of all council buildings, improved communications to all staff about the energy usage of their building, and, ultimately, considerable energy savings.

For more information, click here.

11 January 2012 : New toolbox boosts sustainable energy management

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:02:49 +0100

In parallel to the drafting of their Sustainable Energy Action Plans, three municipalities, Girona (Spain), Reggio Emilia and Padova (Italy) have joined forces to produce a series of tools and guidelines to support them in the fulfillment of their Covenant of Mayors commitments. The toolbox is also a vital step towards achieving the ambitious climate and renewable energy targets set by the European Commission.

The guidelines developed as a result of the project are now available to cities across Europe to ease their transition to sustainable mobility. A user-friendly LAKS GHG calculator tool was also developed to compile emission inventories, allowing project partners to convert the energy consumption of their territory into greenhouse gas emissions. The developments took place within the framework of LAKS, a LIFE+ financed project, and the three cities received technical assistance from Covenant supporter, ICLEI Europe.

The main objective of the now-completed LAKS (Local Accountability for Kyoto goalS) project was to provide instruments to European cities to monitor CO₂ emissions, assess their environmental impact, apply corrective actions and report results. Following the LAKS project, enhancements to simplify reporting to the Covenant of Mayors were incorporated into ICLEI Europe’s Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) GHG calculator, available for use by CCP participants. For further information on the tool or on joining the CCP Campaign, contact ccp-europe@iclei.org.

For more information, click here.

10 January 2012 : CORPUS workshop series casts the spotlight on sustainable mobility

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:37:10 +0100

The second CORPUS workshop on sustainable mobility with a focus on policy instruments took place from 6-7 October 2011, taking up where the first installment, which dealt with facts, trends, objectives, actors and systems, left off. Researchers, policy-makers and civil society representatives from all over Europe, gathered in Szentendre (Hungary) for two days of intensive discussion.

The workshop aimed to learn from sustainable mobility success stories from other EU countries and share knowledge on promoting the politics of sustainable mobility. It highlighted the vital importance of research and discussed effective knowledge brokerage, while providing participants with valuable networking opportunities.

Preparations are already underway for the third workshop in the series. The event runs from 19-20 April 2012 and deals with future visions of sustainable mobility and their role in policy planning. The deadline for registrations is 26th March 2012 and participants are being advised to register early to avoid disappointment. The CORPUS project is funded by the European Commission and aims to enhance the connectivity between research and policy-making in sustainable consumption.

For more information, click here.

9 January 2012 : Albertslund at the forefront of Nordic energy solutions

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 10:54:50 +0100

ICLEI member city and Covenant of Mayors signatory Albertslund has been named Nordic Energy Municipality 2011 for its innovative approach to the renovation of existing buildings. Bearing in mind that buildings account for 40 percent of its total energy consumption, the city council realised the need for cost-effective solutions applicable to a large number of different building types.

The renovation of 18 of Albertslund 42 residential areas thus kicked into action, targeting buildings that were built between the 1960s and 80s. Ahead of the large-scale deployment of the scheme, a number of pilot projects have already been implemented, with a series of houses turning carbon-neutral thanks to solar prism technologies.

This uniquely innovative model is to be applied to existing building stock all over the country. Mayor Steen Christiansen said, “Through an exciting cooperation between citizens, local industry and the municipality, we have managed to develop and – more importantly – test a wide range of full-scale solutions”, adding “it should be easy to be green.”

For more information, click here.

5 January 2012 : Sustainable energy awards open for applications

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 11:23:34 +0100

Across Europe, preparations are already underway for Sustainable Energy Week, which will run from 18 to 22 June 2012. The campaign provides an invaluable opportunity to highlight the successes of the most ambitious and innovative projects in sustainable energy and energy efficiency. In order to reward and encourage outstanding initiatives in these fields, the week culminates in the Sustainable Energy Europe Awards.

Applications for the award are now being accepted in a number of categories covering communication, energy consumption reduction, capacity building, mobility and energy efficiency in buildings. To participate your project must be ongoing, implemented by EU public or private actors and be able to show significant and measurable results.

As an international celebration of the green energy revolution, the awards ceremony taking place in Brussels (Belgium) on 19 June 2012 is expected to attract media attention from across Europe. To be in with a chance to win a Sustainable Energy Europe Award, register an account and complete the online application form before 29 February 2012.

For more information, click here or contact awards@eusew.eu.

4 January 2012 : Vitoria-Gasteiz takes the reins as European Green Capital 2012

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:50:40 +0100

After a successful year at the helm of sustainable development in Europe, Hamburg’s reign as European Green Capital has come to an end. At a prestigious ceremony in December, the Germany city handed its title to ICLEI member city Vitoria-Gasteiz (Spain) in recognition of its numerous environmentally progressive measures.

On 14 December 2011, Vitoria-Gasteiz mayor, Javier Maroto, officially revealed an ambitious programme of ten action plans to guide and structure progress in the year to come. Biodiversity protection takes top priority for the Basque city with plans to improve biocapacity, biodiversity and urban landscape, and restore sensitive natural resources. The city aims to tackle water scarcity through schemes to prevent floods and improve the water cycle.

The programme is further targeting waste management with strategic waste plans to achieve zero dumping and reduce urban contamination. With a view to enhancing quality of life for the municipality’s citizens, authorities will also focus on mobility, public space, regional improvement and urban rehabilitation, while promoting a culture of sustainability in society and business.

For more information, click here.

3 January 2012 : Happy New Year from the team at the ICLEI European Secretariat

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 10:55:02 +0100

The ICLEI European Secretariat would like to wish you a wonderful and prosperous New Year! Thanks to your contributions, support and co-operation, the past year has seen us bring local sustainability to the forefront of the international agenda. We look forward to working with you in 2012.

To learn about ICLEI's achievements in 2011, browse our e-News archive or read our latest edition of Connections, available here.

23 December 2011 : EcoProcura 2012 brings the latest in sustainable public procurement

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 13:04:11 +0100

EcoProcura 2012 will take place in Malmö (Sweden) from 19-21 September 2012. The conference is organised by ICLEI and the City of Malmö and will provide participants with a dynamic and unique meeting place to exchange and discuss the latest essential information on implementing sustainable public procurement.

The conference will underline the importance of sustainable public procurement to the development of a green economy. It will also examine the future of the sector, including the proposed new EU directive on public procurement, opportunities for addressing social and ethical issues in the field and the vast potential for innovation that has yet to be realised.

Procurers from all levels of government, policy-makers, suppliers, manufacturers, multipliers and representatives from the European Commission and European Parliament will benefit from good practice exchange, dialogues between businesses and the public sector and short training sessions on various topics, such as life cycling costing.

For more information, click here.

22 December 2011 : CIVITAS project goes from strength to strength

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 11:43:00 +0100

As the CIVITAS initiative enters its tenth year, its progress shows no sign of slackening. For nearly a decade, its work has had a hugely positive impact on sustainable transport in almost 60 cities across Europe. Recent success stories include Bologna (Italy) and Aalborg (Denmark). In Bologna, preliminary data evaluation results show the city to be well on track to achieve its transport targets within the framework of the CIVITAS PLUS phase.

Findings show that Bologna will reach its goals of reduced traffic accidents, enhanced safety and mobility of vulnerable road users, more user-friendly public transport and a reduction in illegal on-street parking. The city uses advanced intelligent transport system (ITS) technologies to help the economic hub cater to mobility needs, while improving traffic flow, air quality and retaining the charm of the medieval city.

For its part, Aalborg’s introduction of a travel smart card has been embraced by citizens, with the number of users far exceeding expectations. With 1,150 passengers already using the card just seven months after its launch, project leaders are confident that the city will reach its goal of 10,000 active travel cards by October 2012. Aalborg and Bologna are joined by fellow ICLEI members Zagreb (Croatia) and Vitoria-Gasteiz (Spain) in flying the CIVITAS flag. Anyone with an interest in the successes, goals and work of the CIVITAS project can join the discussion on Twitter by following @CIVITAS_EU.

For more information, click here.

21 December 2011 : RE Regions discovers overwhelming support for renewable energy

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 10:35:20 +0100

A recent survey has shown that residents of the German county of Lüchow-Dannenberg are overwhelmingly in favour of the county’s goal to draw solely on renewable energy sources in the future. The survey was carried out by the Institute for Ecological Economic Research (IÖW) in cooperation with the University of Freiburg (Germany) and University of Hohenheim (Germany) within the framework of the RE Regions project, which is working towards securing regional self-sufficiency through the use of renewable energy, with an emphasis on electricity, heat and energy conservation.

Over 86 percent of those surveyed supported the proposed transition to green energy. Solar panels and windmills were the most popular energy sources among those interviewed, while more than half expressed concern about the cultivation of energy crops. The results brought home the lack of readily available information on renewable energy, in spite of a growing demand among the public to get informed.

Participants also expressed a desire to keep things local, with regional stakeholders receiving greater confidence than national investors, operators and suppliers. Perhaps the most surprising finding, as stated by author Michael Kress, was the readiness among citizens to contribute financially to the renewable energy drive. Almost one in four of the survey’s participants already owned a photovoltaic unit and over half are willing to pay a higher price for electricity generated from alternative energy sources.

For more information, click here.

20 December 2011 : Helsinki introduces hybrid electric buses

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 10:27:19 +0100

ICLEI member Helsinki (Finland) is plugging into the electric vehicle revolution with the launch of the city’s first two hybrid electric buses at the start of 2012. The new buses are equipped with a diesel-electric power train, alternately or simultaneously using an electric system and a diesel combustion engine. It is hoped that the vehicles will help propel sustainable transport in the Scandinavian capital to the next level.

With its latest series of hybrid vehicles, Volvo has tapped into a growing market in Central Europe and the Nordic countries for alternative transport options. The buses achieve a 30 percent saving in diesel fuel compared to conventional diesel buses, with carbon dioxide emissions reduced by the same amount. Particle and nitrogen oxide emissions are 40 to 50 percent lower compared to traditional buses.

This recent development does much to build on Helsinki’s reputation as a forward-thinking green society. Earlier this year, the city made the top ten of the Global Liveability Ranking Report compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit which assesses which locations around the world provide the best or the worst living conditions.

For more information, click here.

19 December 2011 : Conference brings economic direction of cities into focus

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 10:24:20 +0100

With one in every two people now living in an urban setting, cities are undeniably the engines of economic growth. Yet much needs to be done to secure and maintain this growth over time. To address this issue and more, Chatham House is organising a conference entitled, The Future of Cities 2012: Investment for Urban Growth, which will run from 6-7 February 2012 in London (UK).

The event will ask how cities can attract investment for their development and explore the innovative financing solutions at their disposal. It will look at what investment approaches are working for developed economies, as well as for the rapidly emerging cities in Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Experts will also weigh up the chances of established major world cities to compete with these budding economic strongholds.

An impressive line-up of speakers, including Professor Edward Glaeser, Professor of Economics at Harvard University and Dr. Joan Clos, Executive Director of UN-HABITAT, will hope to cast light on options open to cities in responding to the multi-layered challenges they face. Participants are invited to register as soon as possible to secure a place. ICLEI members can benefit from a discount of up to 13 percent by contacting zberry@chathamhouse.org.

For more information, click here.

16 December 2011 : ICLEI launches websites to aid move towards sustainable procurement

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 10:53:35 +0100

Implementing sustainable procurement is no mean feat and the multi-layered challenges facing public authorities can appear daunting without the necessary supporting structures. With this in mind, ICLEI has launched three unique websites to equip procurers, policy makers, researchers and other stakeholders with the tools they need.

The Sustainable Procurement Resource Centre is a one-stop access point containing key knowledge on how to effectively undertake sustainable procurement, saving money and driving the market towards environmentally and socially responsible solutions. Users can avail of an extensive searchable database and get up to date on the latest news and events in the field of sustainable procurement. Tools and guidance, case studies, networking opportunities and reports are available free of charge with one click.

For its part, the Procurement Forum, a tailor-made online network for procurement professionals, brings the human dimension back into knowledge sharing. Public authorities are invited to delve deeper into specific aspects of sustainable procurement and have the opportunity to exchange and collaborate in focused groups. Last up, the relaunched Procura+ website can help green public purchasing, drawing on the experiences of the 30 cities, regions and organizations at the forefront of sustainable procurement in Europe.

For more information, click here or contact mark.hidson@iclei.org.

15 December 2011 : Electric vehicle adds a spark to Woking’s green car scheme

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 10:36:55 +0100

Sustainable transport in ICLEI member city Woking (UK) has received a much-needed boost. Last week, the city’s WeCar car-sharing scheme welcomed a new addition to its fleet of sustainable vehicles with the launch of its first electric vehicle and dedicated electric charging bays. The award-winning Peugeot iOn is fully electric, has zero CO₂ emissions and a maximum range of 93 miles.

Senior Policy Officer for Woking Borough Council, Lara Beattie said, “Through its Climate Change Strategy, the Council is committed to reducing carbon emissions, adapting to climate change issues and promoting sustainable, smarter ways to travel around the Borough. The electric vehicle pilot builds upon the success of the innovative WeCar car club.”

Over the course of a yearlong trial, WeCar members will test the electric car’s feasibility as a practical and sustainable car club vehicle. If the pilot is successful, the scheme’s partners will assess the possibility of replacing the current fuel-efficient diesel WeCars with electric vehicles. The scheme was developed by Enterprise Rent-A-Car and is expected to deliver significant practical, environmental and financial benefits.

For more information, click here.

14 December 2011 : International spotlight highlights Birmingham’s trailblazing work

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 09:41:51 +0100

ICLEI member Birmingham City Council (UK) has taken its place among the world’s environmental heavyweights after being honoured with a prestigious international award at the UN Climate Change Conference in Durban. The city’s Energy Savers programme was named winner of the Urban Retrofit Award, in recognition of its trailblazing plans to carry out £1.5billion of green retrofit work for nearly 200,000 buildings over the next 15 years

Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council, Paul Tilsley said, “For Birmingham Energy Savers to be named as the best initiative of its type in the world is a stunning success for the city and the UK. This award validates and acknowledges years of effort we have put in as a council to ensure that we tackle the challenges of climate change and fuel poverty.”

The programme aims to deliver energy efficiency improvements along with renewable energy and heat technologies to almost 200,000 domestic and public buildings in Birmingham and the surrounding region. By 2020, a 4.3 percent reduction on current CO2 emission figures is expected from domestic retrofits performed under the programme, with a further 7.8 percent for non-domestic buildings.

For more information, click here.

13 December 2011 : CARE North final conference showcases climate-friendly transport solutions

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 10:25:02 +0100

The final CARE-North conference, taking place from 20-21 March 2012 in Bremen (Germany), will present the outcomes of the project, which focused on developing innovative carbon reduction strategies for urban and regional transport in the context of climate change and declining fossil fuels. The initiative’s partners included ICLEI and two of its most northerly member cities, Bremen (Germany) and Malmö (Sweden).

As the North Sea Region grapples with the effects of climate change, predominant use of traditional modes of transport is leading to a continued increase in CO2 emissions. Worse still, the region is facing up to the reality of ever-diminishing mineral oil supplies. It was therefore out of necessity that the cities and regions involved in CARE-North set about developing accessibility in a more carbon-responsible way.

To this end, they have developed and implemented lighthouse projects, which have allowed for an analysis of the drivers and obstacles to their potential replication in cities across Europe. The conference is free of charge and will include site visits to showcase post-fossil fuel transport strategies, providing participants with inspiration for future steps.

For more information, click here.

9 December 2011 : ICLEI Europe supports innovative energy management for schools

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 10:31:40 +0100

On 22 November 2011, Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger and Patrick Lambert, Director of EACI, awarded selected schools from across Europe for their efforts to implement energy efficient actions as part of the U4energy school competition. At the ceremony, speakers underlined the vital importance of investing in children’s education from a sustainable energy perspective, both to secure their own future and to mobilise their communities to engage in the transition to green energy.

Energy experts addressed the benefits of partnerships between local governments and schools in a seminar attended by municipal representatives and teachers, including a school from ICLEI member city Koprivnica (Croatia). Lively discussions on tools and support for teachers saw ideas flowing back and forth on new, innovative steps to be explored in the future.

ICLEI Europe contributed to the competition award package for winners and runner-ups by offering a training workshop that aimed to show just how crucial their work is to the bigger picture. The U4energy project targets the education system in order to boost behavior change at the local level and has proven successful in encouraging a more environmentally aware society with an eye on the future. Applications for the second edition of the U4energy competition can be submitted before 16 May 2012.

For more information, click here.

8 December 2011 : CHAMP conference supports local action to combat changing climate

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 11:29:22 +0100

The final conference of the CHAMP project entitled, European Climate Champions – Solutions for integrating climate change into local strategies, is taking place from 14-15 December 2011. It will take place entirely online, allowing participants to tune in from the comfort of their office. The event will present the project’s results, focusing on climate change solutions from pilot cities, online capacity development and new cooperation possibilities at a European level.

Local and regional authorities, state level representatives and NGOs and anyone with an interest in the topic are invited to discuss the role of municipalities in responding to the challenge of climate change. Participants will get the opportunity to explore an integrated approach to local climate work and solutions to the need for continuous capacity building among local authorities.

In the face of a rapidly changing climate, the CHAMP project worked towards fulfilling the EU environmental and climate change commitments in a cost-effective way. It did so by supporting local action through a competence development package on Integrated Management Systems (IMS). Participants can take part in discussions on the conference blog or via chat during the live stream. Twitter users can join in by using the hashtag #champfc.

For more information, click here.

7 December 2011 : Lessons on how to become a self-sufficient community at RE Regions event

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 10:49:31 +0100

“We have to convince our citizens that renewable energy is crucial for our future. Any doubts that exist have to be taken seriously and conflicts that arise must be resolved through mutual agreements.” These were the words of Minister for Scientific Affairs of the State of Baden- Wuerttemberg in Germany, Theresia Bauer, at the Changing the Energy System to Renewable Energy Self-Sufficiency – An inter- and transdisciplinary approach conference.

The event took place in September 2011 in Freiburg (Germany), with Minister Bauer emphasising the importance of sustainability in transforming energy systems, explaining that the introduction of renewable energies is not just a question of financing and developing new technology, but also one that involves ensuring acceptance among the general public.

The speakers not only focused on the importance of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research, but also on the valuable contribution of practitioners in the research process. Jürgen Hauber, Conference Chair and member of the Renewable Energy Regions project, which organised the conference, said the event marked, “the first time the transformation of the energy system has been discussed in such a multifaceted way by the scientific community.”

For more information, click here.

6 December 2011 : Building SPP taps into green procurement potential

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 10:42:26 +0100

The threat posed by climate change demands the development of innovative, low carbon solutions for lighting, vehicles, and heating and cooling systems. Since European public authorities purchase large volumes of these products and services amounting to two billion euro per year, there is enormous, largely untapped potential for progress in the area of public procurement.

The Building SPP project, funded by the LIFE+ Programme, aims to promote sustainable procurement practices in Portugal and Greece. Sustainable procurement can play an important role in organizations at national and local level. The project’s main objective is to build capacity in sustainable procurement by assisting public authorities in setting up a procurement strategy.

It further seeks to encourage communication at various stages of the procurement process, promoting cooperation among public authority procurers and greater market engagement between public authorities and suppliers. Sustainable procurement can help organisations to meet commitments related to social, environmental and economic policies, and its benefits include money and energy savings.

For more information, click here.

5 December 2011 : Carbon report celebrates local climate action

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 10:59:03 +0100

Tomorrow, the first ever Annual Report of the carbonn Cities Climate Registry (cCCR) will be presented to the 17th UN Convention on Climate Change in Durban. The publication celebrates the contribution of local governments to measurable, reportable and verifiable climate action. It ensures that the voice of local governments will be heard as national and international entities face up to a rapidly changing climate.

Over the past year, 51 cities in 19 countries provided data for analysis. Representing 83 million inhabitants, 106 energy and climate commitments and 89 GHG inventories that amount to annual community GHG emissions of 447 million tons of CO₂ emissions, the cCCR 2011 report shows what cities are capable of.

The report brings home just how much local governments can contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions. Yet though much has been achieved, the report demands continued action in the future. It recommends that partners scale up actions while strengthening accountability of commitments, and calls on municipalities to convert challenges into opportunities.

For more information, click here.

1 December 2011 : Westminster looks to Bremen for advice on car-sharing development

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 10:42:39 +0100

The UK has turned to ICLEI member Bremen for advice on car-sharing promotion and implementation. On 1 November 2011, Michael Glotz-Richter, senior project manager for sustainable mobility in the City of Bremen and coordinator of the European Momo car-sharing project, addressed the House of Commons in Westminster. The 'All-Party Parliamentary Group on Car Clubs and Car-Sharing' had gathered to discuss improved political and practical support for car-sharing in the UK.

In his introductory presentation, Glotz-Richter presented parking problems as a mismatch between available street space and the number of cars on the road, common in UK cities and beyond. An introduction to the basic principles of car-sharing was followed by an overview of the scheme across Europe that highlighted the impressive progress already made by London.

Car-sharing has enormous capacity to reduce the number of cars in cities, simultaneously improving the urban environment in a simple, effective way. The Momorandum, Momo’s final political document at the end of three successful years, describes the political settings required on a European level to fully exploit the potential of car-sharing, thus reclaiming the space of 600,000 cars.

For more information, click here.

30 November 2011 : Lithuania joins the drive towards lifecycle costing and assessment

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 10:19:12 +0100

Green public procurement has gained an influential supporter. The Central Project Management Agency (CPMA) is the central purchasing body in Lithuania and currently manages framework contracts for over 600 public authorities. As an avid promoter of environmentally friendly public procurement, the CPMA has decided to go green and train its staff in the use of lifecycle costing, CO2 assessments and lifecycle assessments.

In November 2011, the CPMA teamed up with ICLEI to hold a three-day training course discussing and testing current approaches, guidance and tools. The event was an outstanding success, providing those present with practical information as well as inspiration. “The topics are very interesting and of very real scope, especially for future approaches in public procurement” said one participant.

Some of the tools explored at the workshop include the SMART SPP LCC-CO² tool and the JUHILAS carbon footprint calculator, invaluable in the move towards green public procurement. The tools will be available at ICLEI’s online SMART SPP resource centre which launches next week. The CPMA aims to use lifecycle costing in upcoming frameworks and intends to modify its operational manuals to include information gained from the training.

For more information, click here.

29 November 2011 : Energy efficient technology vital to sustaining information age

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:05:24 +0100

In the face of limited resources, the world needs to make drastic changes to its energy infrastructure and consumption patterns. Although industries, institutions and public administrations are beginning to adopt sustainable energy policies, at the same time information technology has become indispensable in our lives, with data interchange doubling every two years.

Therefore, a solution that seeks to marry energy efficiency and highly complex IT structures is desperately needed. The EU-funded PrimeEnergyIT project, in which ICLEI is a partner, supports market development for energy efficient central IT equipment, including server, data storage, network and facility equipment, as well as new power management technologies.

The project has produced a brochure, “Energy efficient IT and infrastructure technology for data centres and server rooms”, providing an overview of current technologies that support energy efficiency both for IT and infrastructure, with a focus on IT technology. Recommendations for best practice highlight promising options to be considered in management and procurement to support energy and cost efficiency.

For more information, click here.

28 November 2011 : Durban conference faces up to growing climate change concerns

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:42:37 +0100

This morning, delegates from nearly 200 countries gathered in sunny Durban (South Africa) for the first day of the 17th Conference of the Parties, known as COP17. The event, which runs until 9 December 2011, is hugely significant in the struggle against climate change and aims to critically assess progress made to date.

Deputy General Secretary of ICLEI, Gino Van Begin, has addressed participants at the conference’s opening plenary. He emphasized the importance of local initiatives in the transition towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient society, saying “despite existing difficulties, nations can reach successes in Durban if you choose to engage more with local and sub-national governments as governmental stakeholders”, adding that “further delay is not an option”.

ICLEI representatives in Durban hope to underline the key role to be played by local governments and the enormous potential of local climate action. The world is in dire need of committed and concrete actions at a local level, which can be fully integrated into the efforts at the national and global level.

For more information, click here.

28 November 2011 : Budapest greens water treatment

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 10:31:37 +0100

ICLEI member city Budapest (Hungary) is looking to revolutionise its water strategy with a new wastewater treatment plant. The new facility will ensure that 95 percent of the city’s wastewater is returned to the River Danube following biological treatment. Furthermore, the technology in question will allow the complete vicinity of the plant to remain a green belt zone by occupying the smallest area possible.

László Kóthay, State Secretary for Water of the Ministry of Environment and Water says, “Hungary will also be contributing significantly to the objectives of the Danube Protection Convention – prevention of transboundary impacts, protection of the Danube, maintenance and improvement of the conditions of the river – which is aimed at the protection and sustainable use of the Danube”.

Approximately 600,000m³of wastewater is discharged from Budapest households every day. Less than 50 percent of this amount is treated biologically by the city’s two other wastewater treatment plants, with the rest being discharged untreated into the river. This is not only a significant environmental load, but also negatively impacts public health in the Hungarian capital.

For more information, click here.

25 November 2011 : European Capitals of Biodiversity lead the way to a greener future

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 10:02:35 +0100

ICLEI members Montpellier (France) and Hannover (Germany) were among those taking centre-stage yesterday as winners of the European Capitals of Biodiversity competition. The victorious municipalities received their award from European Commissioner for the Environment, Janez Potočnik, at the tenth edition of ICLEI’s Breakfast at Sustainability’s event.

The Commissioner took the opportunity to highlight the central role of local authorities in the area of biodiversity preservation, saying “We have to get European villages, towns and cities on board to be key actors for biodiversity management on the local level. Moreover they are the key players in bringing the message of the importance of biodiversity on our doorstep across to their citizens”.

The Capitals of Biodiversity competition aims to sustain local biodiversity in Europe, with national competitions in France, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia and Spain honouring local authorities leading the way with innovative biodiversity policies. It further facilitates the exchange of know-how and best practices, invaluable to ensuring sustained progress among participating countries. An incredible 520 municipalities representing 40 million European citizens took part in the competitions in 2010 and 2011.

For more information, click here.

24 November 2011 : Water efficiency of buildings key step in tackling water scarcity

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 09:22:53 +0100

The European Commission is inviting all public authorities, businesses and water experts to take part in a public consultation on the water efficiency of buildings which is available online until 8 February 2012. The water performance of buildings is one of the key areas which the European Commission is examining as part of its work on water scarcity, an issue increasingly affecting many European countries.

While it may come as no great surprise that parts of Spain, Italy and Greece are classified as being under medium or severe water stress, this is also the case in parts of Belgium and the UK, countries with higher levels of rainfall. This is because water scarcity is not only linked to rainfall but also to activities such as agriculture, industry, tourism and urbanisation.

In cities, most of the water is abstracted for public water supply and used in residential dwellings and other buildings. Reducing the domestic use of water in buildings is one area with enormous water saving potential: up to 30 percent of the water consumed in buildings could be reduced in some regions. As part of the Commission’s study of policy options, led by BIO Intelligence Service in collaboration with ICLEI and Building Research Establishment, input from stakeholders is being sought for the move towards more water efficient buildings.

For more information, click here.

23 November 2011 : Local action counter hits 2,000

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 10:15:37 +0100

As Europe continues to embrace sustainable development, the number of cities added to ICLEI’s Rio+20 local action counter has passed 2,000. In anticipation of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development, commonly known as Rio+20, ICLEI set up the counter to acknowledge municipalities engaged in sustainable development action and to encourage others to follow their lead.

In 1992, world leaders first met in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) to announce Agenda 21, a global action plan for sustainable development in the 21st century, which also included a chapter on local action. So far, despite the vast scope for action at an individual and local level, enough is not being done to make this vision a reality. Examples of possible action include building cycle paths, recycling waste, and promoting fair trade and organic products.

The counter’s recently published statistics show Europe taking an impressive lead in relation to the other continents, with over 1,400 communities already registered. France is heading up the countries with 231, followed by Germany with 145. If your city has joined the push towards sustainable development, ICLEI invites you to register it on the counter. Alternatively you can embed the counter on your website.

For more information, click here.

22 November 2011 : Waste reduction campaign aims to create a cleaner Europe

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:20:04 +0100

With 524kg of municipal waste generated on average per person in the EU, raising awareness about waste reduction and promoting changes in production and consumption patterns is more urgent than ever. The European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR), which is taking place from 19-27 November 2011, aims to promote sustainable waste reduction actions, highlight the impact of our consumption on the environment and climate, and publicise EU policies on the reduction of waste.

EWWR hopes to inform the greatest number possible of European citizens about the simple actions that can be taken in everyday life to help combat waste. New additions Bosnia Herzegovina and the Netherlands bring the number of countries taking part to 20. According to the last count, 7,035 EWWR actions have been confirmed and will take place during the 2011 edition, breaking last year’s record of 4,346.

This year’s event promises a wealth of fun, exciting initiatives. Actions that have already been validated include restaurants offering tailor-made menus reducing food waste, students acting as waste prevention ambassadors, artwork made from waste materials and treasure hunts based around a waste prevention theme. The most outstanding actions will be rewarded at the European Waste Reduction Awards Ceremony.

For more information, click here.

21 November 2011 : U4energy awards energy aware schools

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 10:27:40 +0100

For over a year, the U4energy initiative has worked with young Europeans to promote energy efficient behaviour. Schools have submitted their actions and initiatives to be in with a chance to win the first ever U4energy award, which focuses on energy efficient measures in schools and community awareness-raising campaigns. The winners will be announced at the European Award Ceremony on 22 November 2011 in Brussels (Belgium).

As children will shape the societies of the future, U4energy aims to get teenagers and children involved in tackling climate change, actively encouraging local governments to target the education system. With this in mind, U4energy affiliate ICLEI Europe is organising a workshop entitled Improving Sustainable Energy in Schools for the competition’s finalists. ICLEI Europe will facilitate debate and exchange, whilst providing smart educational resources for schools.

The second edition of the U4energy competition is now open for entries and schools are encouraged to submit their entries by 16 May 2012. Competition guidelines are available here. U4energy is co-funded by the Intelligent Energy Europe programme, and has been developed within the framework of the EU’s energy policy. It supports measures to reduce Europe´s primary energy consumption by 20 percent by the year 2020.

For more information, click here or contact giorgia.rambelli@iclei.org.

18 November 2011 : UN under-secretary-general to honour Hannover conference with video address

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 10:45:29 +0100

Under-Secretary-General of the UN, Sha Zukang, has announced that he will address participants of the Rio+20 –Nachhaltig vor Ort conference by video, recognising the importance of the event in the lead up to the UN Conference on Sustainable Development, known as Rio+20.

The event will take place in ICLEI member city Hannover (Germany) from 7-9 December in connection with the fifth Netzwerk21 conference. In anticipation of Rio+20, the conference will critically assess the progress made so far and what remains to be done. It adopts a local government perspective in examining the goals set out by the Rio+20 conference, which aims to secure renewed political commitment for sustainable development.

Over 600 participants, including local sustainability experts and professionals from such diverse fields as business, culture, NGOs and the media, are expected to attend. The Netzwerk21 conference running in parallel will examine the status of Agenda 21, a comprehensive plan of action to be undertaken globally, nationally and locally by UN organisations and governments around the globe to reduce human impact on the environment.

For more information, click here.

16 November 2011 : CATCH conference points the way to low carbon transport future

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 10:23:53 +0100

ICLEI member city, Bristol (UK) will host the final conference of the Carbon Aware Travel CHoice (CATCH) project on 13 December 2011. The project conducted groundbreaking research into how information about climate change and transport should be communicated. As a result an online knowledge platform has been designed to facilitate a holistic view of transport in order to better communicate the need for low carbon transport systems.

The conference will present research from the project and will give an insight into the variety of benefits that a low carbon transport will bring to health, safety, the economy and planning. Participants will learn about CATCH’s work providing information and improving communication between the general public and transport professionals. Presentations from experts from different fields, including Ioana-Olga Adamescu of the European Commission, will explore the wider advantages of a low carbon transport future.

The event is aimed at transport professionals interested in low carbon transport systems, including city representatives, public transport operators and consultants. Climate change experts with an interest in transport are also being encouraged to take part. Those interested in attending are invited to register as soon as possible to secure a place.

For more information, click here.

15 November 2011 : Scotland's largest flood prevention scheme launched

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 10:22:36 +0100

ICLEI member Glasgow City Council (Scotland) has launched a pioneering £53m flood prevention scheme. Speaking at the opening on 31 October 2011, council leader Gordon Matheson said, "The scheme is not just about great engineering, at its heart it is a regeneration project - both in terms of the environmental improvements and the significant enhancements made to allow future economic development to take place."

The scheme was developed in response to a number of flooding incidents involving a local river over the years. As part of the project, 90,000 square metres of rich and diverse wetland habitats such as woodland, scrub, wet grasslands, shallow scrapes and ponds has been created to help reduce flood risk, and the natural environment has been further enhanced by planting trees.

The groundbreaking project will protect about 1,750 homes and 45 businesses along the river from the damage and misery of flooding. The scheme passed its first major flooding test earlier this year, helping to prevent damage of between £1m and £3m during heavy rains in February.

For more information, click here.

14 November 2011 : Cascais cyclists welcome new solar charging stations

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 10:55:52 +0100

ICLEI member city Cascais (Portugal) is the proud new owner of two solar-powered charging stations. The set is the first of its kind to be installed in Portugal and each unit is equipped with four electric bikes. These will be integrated into the city’s free public bicycle sharing scheme, which currently boasts 60 regular bicycles, accounting for an average 27,000 trips per year.

The new charging stations emit no CO₂ or other pollutants under normal running conditions. Once fully charged, the bikes can run for about 70 km. Moreover, their top speed of 25 km/h and seven gear mechanism, coupled with the relatively smooth terrain of Cascais, makes the new bicycles suitable for most trips inside the municipality.

The two “bikeports”, with a retail value of 8,000 Euro, were partially funded by the German Energy Agency (Dena) and provided free of charge to the Municipality of Cascais. Dena is promoting German renewable energy companies on an international level through the Solar Roof Programme, which subsidises projects like this one.

For more information, click here.

11 November 2011 : Sustainable NOW project publishes results of energy action plans

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 09:38:58 +0100

Following the official completion of the Sustainable NOW project at the end of the summer, a 20-page brochure presenting the project’s results has been published. It collects experiences of partners in developing their local sustainable energy action plans (known as LEAPs or SEAPs) while introducing newcomers to the concept.

Now more than ever, global energy and climate challenges require innovative, progressive and sustainable responses. Local governments are in a position to steer change in cities and regions across Europe with the aid of SEAPs, a powerful tool in the planning, implementation and evaluation of climate and energy policies. The brochure gives readers the opportunity to learn about the benefits of such plans and use its step-by-step guide to successfully implement them.

ICLEI coordinated the Sustainable NOW project which seeks to strengthen the role of local and regional governments in guiding their communities in the transition from fossil fuels to sustainable energy sources. Energy experts and policy-makers, as well as anybody with an interest in the topic, are invited to explore the initiative’s outcomes and be inspired by the ideas presented.

To read the brochure, click here.

10 November 2011 : Procura⁺ Campaign gains four new members

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:20:21 +0100

ICLEI member city Koprivnica (Croatia), the Ihobe Environmental Agency, the City of Regensburg (Germany) and the Province of Rome (Italy) have become the latest additions to the Procura⁺ campaign, joining cities from across Europe and beyond in the drive towards sustainable public procurement.

Public authorities in Europe spend €1.5 trillion a year on goods and services, and simple steps such as constructing energy efficient public buildings or buying low emission vehicles can have a huge impact in steering the market towards sustainability. ICLEI established Procura⁺ in 2004 to support public authorities in implementing sustainable procurement and promote their achievements.

ICLEI member city and Procura⁺ participant Zurich (Switzerland) is an impressive example of a municipality putting sustainable procurement into action. Between 2001 and 2009, the city included strict energy efficiency standards in building construction and renovation work covering over 370,000 m2, representing spending of almost €300 million per annum.

For more information, click here.

9 November 2011 : Tenth Breakfast at Sustainability’s to celebrate local biodiversity action

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 09:56:25 +0100

Time is running out to register for the tenth Breakfast at Sustainability’s (B@S) which will take place on Thursday 24 November 2011 in Brussels (Belgium). The event is titled, Capitals of Biodiversity – European municipalities lead the way in local biodiversity protection, and will address topics related to sustainable urban development. Don't miss out on a unique opportunity to learn from the cities leading the way in the field of biodiversity protection in Europe.

Janez Potočnik, European Commissioner for the Environment, will officially award the winners of the European Capitals of Biodiversity competition, as B@S number 10 marks the grand finale of the competition. Over 500 municipalities from France, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia and Spain participated in the contest, which honours municipalities engaging in innovative biodiversity practices.

Issues central to the work of public authorities will be up for discussion, including climate change, waste management, land use, social responsibility, water, transport and energy. Furthermore, a line-up of speakers that includes Isabelle Durant, Member of the European Parliament, will offer expert insight into the challenges facing local governments in the implementation of progressive biodiversity policies. For a detailed programme, click here.

To register, contact brussels-office@iclei.org by 18 November.