30, Autumn 2007 [PDF 3.1mb] - ICLEI Europe

European Circular
Newsletter for
ICLEI members, partners and friends Issue No 30, Autumn 2007
Adapting to climate change
Changing climate, changing focus
Several recent events, such as the European heatwave of 2003, flooding in Eastern Germany and, more
recently, the United Kingdom are but a few examples illustrating the natural disasters that local
governments will increasingly have to cope with in the future. As such, a concerted, well-considered, yet
flexible, response is needed, which is why ICLEI added this topic to its Strategic Plan in 2006.
ICLEI, with its members, intends to develop a framework for systematic preparation against such climatechange
induced disasters and for support in response. The international initiative ‘Climate Safe Communities’
was developed as part of ICLEI’s Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) Campaign, which forms the basis for
developments in work done on adaptation.
What is adaptation?
Adaptation is action taken to cope with a changing climate,
e.g. increased rainfall, higher temperatures, scarce water or
more frequent storms. It may need to tackle existing
problems or anticipate changes in the future, aiming to reduce
risk and damage cost-effectively, and perhaps even exploiting
any benefits arising. Examples of actions include using water
more efficiently, adapting building standards to future
climate conditions and extreme weather events, building
flood defences, as well as developing drought-tolerant crops,
improving forestry practices and setting aside land corridors
to help species migrate. Adaptation includes both national or
regional strategies and practical steps taken at community
level or by individuals and may be anticipatory or reactive.
It applies to both natural and human systems.
Flooding on a suburban street
Responding to a new focus
In Europe, adaptation was formally added to ICLEIs Reinforced Strategy for the European CCP Campaign in
May 2006. Subsequently, ICLEIs CCP 5-milestone process was revised to address both mitigation and
adaptation measures – with communities committing to using this process when joining the CCP Europe
Campaign by addressing the following:
1. Conduct a resilience assessment to determine
vulnerable areas, based on expected changes in the
climate;
2. Identify relevant adaptation strategies;
3. Prioritise areas for action and set goals;
4. Develop and adopt a Local Action Plan to improve
community resilience;
5. Implement the plan;
6. Monitor, re-evaluate and report on results.
Contents
Focus on Adapting to Climate Change Page 1
ICLEI Member News Page 5
Year in Review Page 8
ICLEI Themes and Services
Sustainability Managment Page 6
Urban Governance Page 10
Sustainable Procurement Page 11
Water Page 13
Events with the International Training Centre Page 13
Book reviews Page 15
New Resources Page 16

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However, adaptation is not only related to ICLEIs CCP
Campaign, but is cross-cutting in nature. As such, many
other ICLEI initiatives and campaigns can contribute to
the effort. To address adaptation to climate change in a
co-ordinated manner and to build on one of ICLEI’s
strengths, the cyclic approach of the sustainability cycle
(see left) can be used to prepare for responding to
changes in the environment. This integrated and cyclic
management approach, using the elements of baseline
review, target setting, approval, implementation &
monitoring, reporting and evaluation allows for
continuous adjustment of targets and actions. The
integration of adaptation into sustainable city and
regional development is the key to success.
In addition, as adaptation requires action on numerous fronts, the ICLEI European Secretariat recommends
utilising the Aalborg Commitments in response. Signed by around 500 European local governments, the
Aalborg Commitments outlines 10 key areas in which action is needed for sustainable city development.
European communities should use these 10 key areas as a guide, when considering their response to adaptation.
The link between adaptation measures and the Aalborg Commitments was reinforced during the ICLEI coordinated
Fifth European Conference on Sustainable Cities and Towns, which took place in Seville, Spain, from
21-24 March 2007 (www.sevilla2007.org), where a session on adaptation was held. The focus was on the
implementation of the Aalborg Commitments, with the commitment ‘Local to Global' in particular being
addressed and interesting adaptation responses from different perspectives shared.
Helping to shape European Policy
The Adaptation Working Group (AWG) was established within ICLEIs CCP Europe in September 2006 to
encourage sharing of information on this topic. The overall aim of the AWG is to be a platform and incubator
for local governments, academia and industry to generate, share and encourage discussions about effective
actions in support of climate protection and community resilience in EU cities, with a view to develop and
initiate joint projects. It is open to all CCP Europe participants and ICLEI Europe members. Dr. Rajat Gupta of
the Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom, and Maryke van Staden, the European CCP coordinator,
are respectively the chair and co-ordinator of the AWG.
In 2006, ICLEI was invited by the European Commission to join the European Climate Change Programme
Working Group II Impacts and Adaptation – the Urban Planning and Infrastructure Group. The main
objective of the workgroup was to explore options to improve Europe's resilience to climate change impacts, to
encourage the integration of climate change adaptation into other policy areas at the European, national,
regional and local level and to define the role of EU-wide policies complimenting action by Member States.
Based on feedback received through the CCP Europe mailing list, input was submitted on the Urban Planning
Sectoral Report, which in turn contributed to the EU Green Paper on Adaptation
(ec.europa.eu/environment/climat/adaptation/index_en.htm).
The EU Green Paper on Adaptation was launched in 2007, and Gino Van Begin, Regional Director for ICLEI
Europe, was invited to comment on the Green Paper from a local government perspective. He mentioned three
priorities where real EU value can be added to national or local initiatives, namely:
1. Introducing vast awareness raising programmes for the 100.000+ local authorities in Europe on the
importance of adaptation, keeping in mind that “the less we mitigate, the more we need to adapt”.
2. Supporting the development of a “catalogue” of possible and minimum preventive actions and measures
that local governments should undertake in the near future.

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3. Supporting the undertaking of individual assessments of major cities on their vulnerability to climate change
consequences and to address their required policy responses as well as calculating the level of future
investment needed.
On 11 September 2007, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe invited
ICLEI to a hearing on adaptation to climate change in Strasbourg, France, to prepare a report and
recommendations on adaptation to Council members (www.coe.int/congress). The issue is seen as particularly
important given that all cities and regions have to make major decisions to adapt to climate change. Holger
Robrecht, Director Sustainability Management at the ICLEI European Secretariat, called for an integrated and
cyclic management approach, instead of long-term planning for adaptation in order to be able to respond to
rapid environmental changes.
Networking – strengthen responses and use synergies
As adaptation is relevant to many sectors and themes, ICLEI is interested in working with the scientific
community, other European networks, as well as national and local governments on this issue. ICLEI is an
observer or partner in several projects relevant to adaptation, and interested in linking up to existing projects or
partnering in new consortia. We can offer existing frameworks of action and exchange and facilitate direct
contacts to concerned cities – our members and CCP participants.
ICLEI supports the Nottingham Declaration Action Pack developed to assist UK local authorities to take
practical steps in mitigation and adaptation under the guidance of experts. This tool and capacity development
workshop is helping to shape local responses in various areas (www.nottinghamdeclaration.org.uk).
International developments
As part of ICLEI’s observer status role and representing local governments at the UNFCCC, ICLEI was present
at the second meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (COP/MOP 2), in conjunction with the twelfth
session of the Conference of the Parties to the Climate Change Convention (COP12), in Nairobi, Kenya, in
November 2006. The Deputy Mayor of ICLEI member city London, Nicky Gavron, participated as
representative in the various side events and high level segment plenary (www.iclei.org/cop12_kenya). At a
press conference held during COP12, UNEP and UN-HABITAT, ICLEI and London, all spoke of the important
role local governments play in mitigating and adapting to climate change.
ICLEI will also be presenting the local government voice at this year’s third meeting of the Parties, in
conjunction with COP13 in Bali, Indonesia from 2-14 December 2007. See page four for more details.
Developments in other ICLEI offices
The adaptation initiative run by ICLEI in the USA is called ‘Climate Resilient Communities’. It not only builds
on the CCP, but also integrates aspects of the Local Agenda 21 framework for participatory planning. A pilot
project was started, with pilot city Keen, New
Hampshire working on a climate preparedness plan
(www.iclei.or/climate_resilient_communities)
Further to this, a Climate Adaptation Guidebook was
recently launched. This guidebook was created through
a partnership between ICLEI, Climate Impacts Group
and King County, Washington State and provides a
framework communities can use to prepare for and
adapt to regional climate changes
(www.iclei.org/climate_adaptation_guidebook).
Useful links:
- PRUDENCE project: Prediction of Regional
scenarios and Uncertainties for Defining EuropeaN
Climate change risks and Effects (prudence.dmi.dk)
- PESETA study: Projection of Economic impacts of
climate change in Sectors of the EU based on
bottom-up Analysis (peseta.jrc.es)
- ESPACE project: European Spatial Planning:
Adapting to Climate Events
(www.espace-project.org)
In Australia, the CCP Adaptation Initiative was
launched this year. It aims to develop a sophisticated process, which will incorporate lessons learnt from the
CCP program and the Australian Greenhouse Office’s (AGO).
For further information on CCP: maryke.van.staden@iclei-europe.org
For further information on integrated and cyclical management: holger.robrecht@iclei-europe.org

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European Climate Change Conference – 2-4 April 2008, Rovigo, Italy:
Medium and Small Communities facing the Challenge
Solar panel installation
Free foto
The upcoming European Climate Conference, 2-4 April 2008 in Rovigo,
Italy, will build on the results of conferences, such as ‘A future with Zero
CO 2 Emissions’, which was held in Stockholm, Sweden in 2006 or Local
Renewables, which took place in Freiburg, Germany in 2007. Rovigo 2008
will focus on practical climate protection planning and actions in European
communities, in particular those that are starting up in this important area. The
event addresses the need for local climate change mitigation and adaptation, using
locally available renewable energy sources and improvements in energy
efficiency.
Advanced and ambitious cities and towns eager to share their experiences with
small and medium-sized communities will help to mobilise, transfer know-how
and support the unique capacity-building character of the event. From policy to
implementation - sharing of experiences and expertise will ensure that
communities commencing work in the area of climate protection will receive the encouragement and support
they need. The advanced communities in turn will have a dynamic role, acting as facilitators and mentors, while
also gaining recognition for their significant international leadership in the field of climate protection.
To encourage local action at the regional level, the conference will offer special roles and interaction
opportunities for clusters of local governments and their local stakeholders to co-operate and agree on common
targets and goals. Important themes covered at Rovigo 2008 include climate protection, mitigation, adaptation,
renewable energy (focus: solar energy and biomass), energy efficiency, district heating, urban and land use
planning and engagement of citizens and stakeholders.
For more information: www.iclei.org/rovigo2008
Local Governments Climate Sessions – Bali, Indonesia
Mayors promote political momentum on climate change
ICLEI, the World Mayors Council on Climate Change (WMCCC) and other strategic local government
partners are an integral part of the growing political momentum on climate change that will culminate at
the Conference of the Parties (COP 13) in Bali, Indonesia this December.
The scientific evidence set out by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change earlier this year, the
awarding of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize to the issue of climate change and high-profile events that included the
G8 Summit, the UN Secretary General’s High-Level Segment on Climate Change and the Carbon Economies
Meeting are setting the tone for the 13 th meeting of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC) COP 13 in Bali, Indonesia from 3-14 December 2007.
ICLEI, in partnership with the WMCCC and other local government associations, will send a local government
delegation to observe the international deliberations at COP 13 and make a statement on behalf of local and
municipal authorities. The focus of the UN Climate Change Conference in Bali will be to reach international
agreement on steps leading to an agreement for the post-Kyoto framework and to take increased and immediate
action. Additionally, ICLEI has organised a two-day event focused entirely on the achievements and
opportunities for climate action at the local level. Titled ‘Local Government Climate Sessions’, the goal of this
two-day event is to share with the international community how local governments are contributing to global
efforts addressing climate change and are willing to contribute to the debate on a post-Kyoto global climate
regime.
For more information: www.iclei.org/bali2007

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Award for Heidelberg
ICLEI NEWS
ICLEI member city Heidelberg has been named the German ‘Federal Capital of Nature Protection’ 2007 from a
field of 114 contenders. The city was able to convince judges with its outstanding nature protection measures,
particularly in the fields of species and biotope protection, as well as committed public relations and
environmental education.
Beate Weber recognised for contribution to environment
Beate Weber, former Lady Mayor of the City of Heidelberg, Germany and member of
ICLEIs Executive Committee and current member of the World Mayors Council on Climate
Change, has recently been honoured with the German Environmental Award. The award,
given by the German Environmental Foundation (DBU), honours commitments and
achievements that have contributed to the protection and preservation of the environment.
ICLEI member city Ponferrada wins prestigious CIVITAS award
On 5 October 2007, ICLEI member city, Ponferrada, Spain was presented with an award for best CIVITAS
Forum Member (City VITAlity – Sustainability). The city received the award as it launched a fleet of biodiesel
buses, while at the same time increasing the frequency of services and creating new routes. Ponferrada also
created a new web-based bicycle system where people can easily hire a bike to travel in town. This new system
already counts 300 subscribers.
For more information on the Civitas Initiative: www.civitas-initiative.org
Finnish mayors start campaign to cut pollution in the Baltic Sea
Helsinki Mayor Jussi Pajunen and Turku Mayor Mikko Pukkinen have inaugurated a new campaign with the
aim of defending the Baltic Sea against a build up of nitrogen and phosphorus (eutrophication). The two Finnish
cities have agreed to set an example by improving their sewage networks and diminishing the quantities of
nutrients coming from agricultural run-off. They are also asking other Baltic cities to participate in
international co-operations to cut pollution levels in the Baltic Sea.
For more details, visit www.citymayors.com/news/ metronews_ europe.html
Biofuel Cities European Partnership officially launched
After several months of intensive preparation, the Biofuel Cities European Partnership was
officially launched on 8 November 2007 at the Clean Vehicles and Fuels (CVF)
Symposium in Stockholm, Sweden. Ms. Alexandra Langenheld of the European
Commission’s Directorate-General for Transport and Energy officially inaugurated the
Biofuel Cities European Partnership in front of 400 delegates, from 25 countries,
representing all links in the biofuel chain.
MeetBike - 3-4 April 2008, Dresden, Germany
The conference, supported by the European Commission through the Intelligent Energy Europe program and the
German Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Affairs, aims to enhance co-operation and
knowledge transfer between European municipalities concerning the use of bicycles in cities.
For more details: www.meetbike.org or www.tu-dresden.de/srv

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SUSTAINABILITY MANAGEMENT
Mayors Forum in Oslo confirms benefits of Integrated Management for
Steering Local Sustainability
MUE25 Mayoral delegation in
Oslo, Norway
Hosted by ICLEI member city Oslo, Mayors and Councillors of
Managing Urban Europe 25 (MUE25) project partner cities
convened from 1-3 October 2007 to evaluate experiences with
introducing integrated management for local sustainability. The
message arising from the meeting was clear - integrated management
is a valuable tool for steering local sustainability. It raises political
ownership, effective and efficient use of both financial, human and
natural resources and results in better managed cities, better living
conditions and better economic perspectives and rankings.
This positive assessment of working with integrated management
reflects a strong commitment for continuing the joint efforts towards
sustainability management. To reinforce this commitment, Leeds City Council invited all partner cities to
present their progress with sustainability management in Leeds in 2012.
Apart from political discussions, MUE25 initiated a meeting with the Baltic Environmental Management and
Audit Scheme (EMAS) competent bodies furthering the efforts to bring the local government perspective into
the current revision of EU EMAS. Mr Pavel Miziga, EU Directorate General Environment, Head of Unit
‘Industry’ and responsible for the EU EMAS, valued the proposals and experiences of MUE25 and outlined the
option for a new reference paper on local governments, in conjunction with the new EMAS.
For more information: www.mue25.net or contact: holger.robrecht@iclei-europe.org
City to city: Ludwigsburg on sustainability exchange in Växjö
“Växjö is a powerful example of a sustainable city. We feel honoured and inspired with the opportunity to cooperate.”
Lord Mayor Werner Spec found himself impressed with the results of a three-day exchange on
sustainability management and climate and energy related city development projects in the exemplary city,
which since 2001 has been using ICLEI’s ecoBUDGET as the backbone for their sustainability management
activities. The exchange visit is part of a growing interaction and support in ICLEI member cities for
establishing and mainstreaming integrated management for local sustainable development.
Information on technical visits to Växjö: www.vaxjo.se/vaxjo_templates/Page.aspx?id=1662 or contact:
holger.robrecht@iclei-europe.org
Environmental Accountability and Budgeting - Soon compulsory in Italy
The Italian Government issued a new Act on Environmental Accountability and Budgeting on 7 September
2007. The law fosters environmental accountability in terms of long-term transition towards “sustainable
development“ and responds to an Italian environmental agenda in the context of an array of gradual political,
functional and social pressures to change its activities. The aim is to establish environmental accountability and
budgeting systems parallel to financial budgeting of state, regions and local authorities.
In particular, the law introduces three components of the new system (the environmental provisional budget, the
environmental accounting system and the environmental balance) and serves as a conceptual umbrella that
covers other distinct concepts, such as transparency, efficiency, responsiveness, responsibility and integration of
the environmental issues in governmental decisions. From this perspective, all Italian ecoBUDGET cities have
already fulfilled the aims and objectives of this new law and are ready to promote such change in the Italian
political agenda.
For more information: www.ecobudget.eu or contact: cristina.garzillo@iclei-europe.org

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Hand in hand for local sustainability – City and County of Nordhausen
team up to develop co-ordinated sustainability budgets
It was through impetus of the project Managing Urban Europe-25, that the County of Nordhausen, ICLEI
member and one of the pilots of the ecoBuDGET management system, has now reinforced its sustainable
development process in the area. It is joined by the City of Nordhausen, which makes up the majority of
inhabitants in the district. On the basis of the ecoBuDGET system which manages natural resources according to
principles of financial budgeting, County and City are now striving at a well-balanced sustainability budget
(ecoBuDGET+), and set the link between the different levels of administration.
The political commitment for prioritising sustainable development in the area was publicly confirmed earlier in
the year on the occasion of a local sustainability conference organised by City and County of Nordhausen in
May 2007: Lady Mayor Barbara Rinke and County Administrator Joachim Claus signed the Aalborg
Commitments and thus committed their administrations to good governance and management for a more
sustainable future.
For further information: www.mue25.org / www.ecobudget.com or andrea.philipp@iclei-europe.org
Every end is a new beginning -
ecoBUDGET Asia comes to a memorable close
To honour properly the first non-European municipalities that adopted ecoBUDGET as a sustainability
management instrument, the ecoBUDGET Asia project was concluded on a grand scale, with not one, but
two final conferences, in two countries, within the space of a few days. ecoBUDGET Asia was a three-year
project, funded by the EU ASIA-URBS programme. It ran from 2005 to 2007 and brought the expertise
of exemplary cities Bologna, Italy and Växjö, Sweden to the municipalities of Guntur, India and
Tubigon/Bohol, Philippines. Co-ordination and assistance was provided by three ICLEI Secretariats:
Europe, South Asia and Southeast Asia.
The first conference, held in Hyderabad, India on 11-12 October 2007, was entitled
“ecoBUDGET: An Innovative System for Natural Resource Management & Urban
Governance”. In addition to the delegations of the four cities, dynamic speakers and
contributors enriched the programme. The Minister of Transport for Andhra
Pradesh, inaugurated the conference, with concluding remarks made by Mr. Vikram
Roy, Advisor, for Economic Co-operation of European Union. About 90
participants including mayors of approximately 20 Indian municipalities attended
the conference.
Indian ecobudgeteers receive
certification
The following week, in Bohol, Phillippines, the conference “ecoBUDGET: An
Instrument to Good Local Resource Management and Governance” took place.
Among the most distinguished guests welcomed by Bohol’s Governor, were the
Ambassador of the European Union, the Ambassador of Sweden and the Deputy
Head of Italian Embassy. Delegations from a number of Filipino cities, as well as
from the German Development Co-operation (GTZ) and UN-Habitat actively took
part in the conference. Study tours accompanying the conference reflected nature
conservation and poverty alleviation, which were included within Bohols
ecoBUDGET plan.
Not only did the project create many opportunities for ecoBUDGET as a
sustainability management tool in these regions, but the conferences paved the way forward for the co-operation
between ICLEI and other institutions (GTZ, UN-Habitat, regional and national governments and agencies) for a
further development of ecoBUDGET in Asian countries.
For more information: http://www.ecobudget-asia.net or andrea.burzacchini@iclei-europe.org

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2007 – A YEAR IN REVIEW
Dear ICLEI members and friends,
We are delighted to provide you with our end of year “European
Circular“. We sincerely hope that our European Circular has
provided you with a comprehensive update on ICLEI‘s work in 2007
and has accompanied or –better, inspired- your own sustainability
work and ambition! We take this opportunity to thank all our ICLEI
members in Europe for the fruitful cooperation within the
association. We would like to thank our European members of
ICLEI‘s Executive Committee for their dedication to advancing
ICLEI‘s Strategic Plan in Europe and for their enthusiasm to
politically represent ICLEI and/or host our events this year
thoughout Europe. We would like to extend special thanks to our
member, the City of Sevilla, for hosting this year the largest
Sustainable Cities and Towns Conference ever held in Europe as well
as all our partners with whom we cooperated in more than 40
projects this year. Finally, a warm welcome goes out to our new
ICLEI members.
We are looking forward to meeting you all at our ICLEI European
Membership Convention in Zaragoza on 23-25 June next year!
On behalf of the entire ICLEI team, I wish you an
excellent holiday season and a happy New Year
2008!
We are happy to welcome new
European members to ICLEI!
- Wörgl, Austria
- Malko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
- Association of Mayors for Sustainable
Development of Municipalities, Bulgaria
- Mariehamn, Finland
- Sanary-sur-Mer, France
- Fingal County Council, Ireland
- Milano, Italy
- Pancevo, Serbia
- San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain
- Red Navarra de Entidades Locales
hacia la Sostenibilidad, Spain
- Torres Vedras, Portugal
- North East Centre of Excellence, UK
- Edinburgh, UK
- Woking Borough Council; UK
- Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Gino Van Begin,
Regional Director for Europe, ICLEI
Highlights of ICLEIs work in Europe 2007
Urban governance & local agenda 21
The growing ambition of local leaders to achieve higher degrees of sustainability in our cities and towns within
a joint European framework and via a concerted action has never been more clearly demonstrated than at the 5 th
European Sustainable Cities and Towns Conference, hosted by ICLEI member, the City of Sevilla, Spain in
March 2007. Some 1,700 local government leaders, officers and stakeholders rallied around the theme of urban
sustainability and governance. Up to now, more than 550 Aalborg Commitments signatories agreed to set
targets in various policy fields of local sustainability. European local government networks decided on a joint
work programme to follow up on the conference. A set of sustainability tools has been launched and was made
available in a user-friendly way to local governments under a new web portal www.localsustainability.eu: here
you will find an extensive resource database on sustainability, an online target-setting and monitoring tool and
an online governance assessment tool. In addition, the Aalborg Commitments Implementation Guide has been
presented in 7 European languages in combination with consultancy services that can be provided by ICLEI to
local governments on demand. Finally, the new ICLEI network for advanced cities 'Agenda+' has been launched
and will start its work as a think-tank for local sustainability in Spring 2008.
Sustainability management
ICLEI’s sustainability management programme has supported via various projects -and in particular through
“Managing Urban Europe 25”- a large number of European cities with innovative, efficient and sustainability
oriented public management through the ICLEI Sustainability Cycle. This cycle has now been adopted by the
European Commission in the official Guidance Paper for local governments to implement the Thematic Strategy
on the Urban Environment. ICLEI applies cutting-edge management systems like ecoBUDGET in member cities

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Växjö, Heidelberg, Dresden, Kalithea, Amaroussion, Ferrara, Bologna, and Nordhausen County, as well as
having extended this method to ICLEI local governments in Asia.
Sustainable procurement
The Procura+ Campaign is now chaired by the City of Lille, France, and has two vice-chairs, the City of
Barcelona, Spain, and the Province of Cremona, Italy. It gathers eleven national partners and a number of local
governments across six European countries, who work together to integrate sustainability considerations into
their procurement practices. Guidance on implementing sustainable procurement is provided through the newly
updated Procura+ Manual available in six languages and free of charge from ICLEI. To complement the Manual
on sustainable procurement, ICLEI has also published the Buyfair Guide in 5 languages providing practical
guidance for purchasing fair-trade products. Green public procurement seminars have been organised on behalf
of the EU Commission in Italy, Portugal and Spain, Ireland and Greece. As part of the RESPIRO project, a
conference on socially responsible procurement took place in Lille, France on 3-4 December 2007, where
practical guidelines on how to include social considerations into procurement were be presented. Finally, ICLEI
actively participated in the Marrakech Task Force on Procurement together with the EU Commission, UNEP
and a number of national governments.
Climate and air quality
Recent media attention on the challenges posed by climate change has encouraged local governments to
seriously consider their role in this debate. The new impetus also shows in ICLEI’s Campaign on Cities for
Climate Protection (CCP) which now includes 160 local governments in Europe and more than 800 cities
world-wide. ICLEI CCP participants Heidelberg, Germany, Växjö, Sweden and Woking Borough Council (UK)
were rewarded with the “CCP Cities of Ambition” status of excellence for their work, ambitious CO 2 reduction
targets and comprehensive action plans. ICLEI has also begun working on the issue of adaptation to climate
change and has established a working group of European cities. ICLEI member city Freiburg, Germany hosted
our Local Renewables 2007 Conference in June, which demonstrated via more than 60 European initiatives that
renewable energy sources are not only ready for use, but are an indispensable part of a secure and sustainable
energy supply and contribute to the reduction of GHG emissions. It is intended to repeat this conference again
in Freiburg in 2008. The Biofuel Cities European Partnership has been established which offers a forum for the
application of biofuels open to all stakeholders at www.biofuel-cities.eu: participation is free and offers access
to a variety of information, publications, online facilities for discussion, as well as study tours to network with
other cities and to learn from experts.
Local action for biodiversity
ICLEI's global initiative on urban biodiversity received great interest from our members in Europe. Of the 20
participants that co-operate in this model project, six are from Europe, Leicester, UK, Barcelona, Spain, Bonn,
Germany, Ile-de-France, France, Tilburg, the Netherlands and Zagreb, Croatia. As part of the LAB project and
until June 2009, these cities will compile biodiversity reports, gain commitment through their councils, set-up
action plans and implement at least five on-the-ground projects. The overall goal of this initiative is to anchor
biodiversity aspects in the urban planning, decision making and implementation.
ICLEI aims at EMAS+ Certification
ICLEI European Secretariat and the International Training Centre (ITC) have begun the process of fully
introducing EMAS into our own operations. We hope to complete our EMAS+ certification in late 2008. As the
EMAS+ certification also entails elements of quality management, we shall be contacting our members for their
feedback in early 2008, and are hoping on a rich feedback.
European Members of the 2006- 2009 ICLEI Executive Committee:
Per Bødker Andersen, Lord Mayor, Kolding, Denmark - Emilio D´Alessio, Deputy Mayor, Ancona,
Italy - Imma Mayol, Deputy Mayor, Barcelona, Spain - Dieter Salomon, Lord Mayor, Freiburg,
Germany - Venelin Todorov, Deputy Mayor, Bourgas, Bulgaria

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URBAN GOVERNANCE
agenda+ Network of Advanced Local Governments launched
On special invitation, eight local governments, will, from 2008 onwards, launch the agenda+ network of
advanced local governments. By this initiative, ICLEI means to gather a group of top representatives of
selected cities and provinces to discuss and address the most pressing issues concerning local
sustainability.
To guarantee for the continuity of the network and the building of a real agenda+
agenda+ cities
community, a three-year commitment is the premise for participation. By paying
- Bourgas, Bulgaria, an annual fee, agenda+ cities and regions can experience the benefits of being
part of this high tier network.
- Åalborg, Denmark,
ICLEI facilitates an annual meeting, functioning as a sort of pan-European think
- Freiburg, Germany
tank on local sustainability, gathering representatives from all participating
- Bologna, Italy
governments who will be given the opportunity to put up for discussion issues of
- Ferrara, Italy
particular interest. Additionally, during an annual expert visit, ICLEI will
provide agenda+ governments with tailored guidance to individual problems.
- Provincia di Siena, Italy
agenda+ will remain open for further advanced local governments to join.
- Oslo, Norway
However, in order for this network to be able to fulfil its purpose, the number of
- Stavanger, Norway participants is limited to 21, the magic number of sustainability.
- Almada, Portugal
For more information on agenda+: www.iclei-europe.org/index.php?id=300 or
contact: stefan.kuhn@iclei-europe.org
Freiburg starts Aalborg Commitments implementation
With a Baseline Review and two training seminars for the heads of all local government
units departments provided by ICLEI's European Secretariat, the City of Freiburg, Germany
will start its implementation process of the Aalborg Commitments. Having been one of the
European forerunners in local sustainability, Freiburg uses the Commitments as an umbrella
for its manifold initiatives and policies. Both the Baseline Review and the training should
identify priority areas for target setting and future action.
For more information: stefan.kuhn@iclei-europe.org or: www.freiburg.de/servlet/PB/menu/1174657/index.html
German Local Governments start networking again
The national congress 'Netzwerk21' on 17-18 September 2007 in Berlin was the starting event of a planned
series of annual national conferences on local sustainability in Germany. About 200 participants discussed the
state-of-affairs in German local sustainability, opened by a keynote speech by Stefan Kuhn, Director for Urban
Governance at ICLEI's European Secretariat. Stefan emphasised the need to move from local action planning
and the creation of tools in local governments to an integrated, cyclical sustainability management.
For more information on the national congress 'Netzwerk21': www.netzwerk21kongress.de
For more information on local sustainability: www.localsustainability.eu
Cyclical Sustainability Management in small and medium-sized local
governments
From Local Agenda21 to a targeted and well co-ordinated sustainability process: eight small and medium-sized
local governments in the German Federal State of Rheinland-Pfalz have gained momentum from ICLEI’s
Projekt21 and have adopted a cyclical sustainability management. By way of analysing their sustainability
performance, setting priorities and elaborating of respective action programmes with all relevant stakeholders,

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they have laid the fundamentals for a continuous process of planning,
implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
At the annual Local Agenda 21 Conference, Margit Conrad, Minister for
Environment in Rheinland-Pfalz, has awarded the 8 pilot partners in
Projekt21 for their achievements and called on all local governments in
Rheinland-Pfalz to follow their example.
In order to support this process, ICLEI has designed a handbook based on
the experiences of Projekt21 and developed a varied set of services to
assist local governments. These are free of charge for local governments in
Rheinland-Pfalz where the federal Ministry for the Environment is
covering the costs.
For more information: www.iclei.org/europe/projekt21 or contact:
andrea.philipp@iclei-europe.org
The “Handbook Projekt21”
assembles experiences from the
pilot project, with an explanation of
the underlying philosophy and
objective of a cyclical sustainability
management, and a step by step
guidance through the cycle,
illustrated by examples, templates,
hints and useful links.
Handbook and a brochure of the
services offered by ICLEI in support
of the introduction of a cyclical
Sustainability Management can be
obtained in German language from:
andrea.philipp@iclei-europe.org
SUSTAINABLE PROCUREMENT
Guidance on purchasing Fair Trade – available in Catalan and Spanish
Produced by ICLEI, in co-operation with the Provincial Council of Barcelona, Spain, the
Buy Fair Guide is now available in Catalan and Spanish. This bi-lingual version of the Guide
is available as a pdf file from the project website and the print copy also exists. The Buy Fair
Guide is also available in English, German and Slovenian.
With much advice on Fair Trade procurement, the Guide is proving popular with local
authorities and many organisations dealing with Fair Trade and/or public procurement have
set up links to the Buy Fair project website.
Consult the Buy Fair project website to obtain your copy: www.buyfair.org
Advice on energy – efficiency in buildings available
The Intelligent Energy funded DEEP project (Dissemination of Energy Efficiency
Measures in the Public Buildings Sector) has produced a series of guidance tools to
help public authorities in reducing CO 2 emissions through their procurement actions.
The project focused on measures in three key areas, namely:
Improving the energy efficiency of the public buildings stock through the inclusion of
appropriate standards in public tendering for building construction and design;
Buying green electricity;
Buying energy efficient products, such as IT equipment or lighting systems.
To help meet these challenges the project produced the DEEP Energy Efficient Procurement Toolkit, which
contains the following guidance:
Sets of procurement criteria/guidelines for construction, electricity and IT product purchases, which could
be copied directly into public tendering documents;
A life-cycle costing tool for use in procurement decision making;
A self-assessment tool for identifying energy efficiency improvements in buildings;
A guide to the development of an energy efficient procurement policy.
All project results are available on the project website: www.iclei-europe.org/deep. To order print copies of the
publications, or for more information on the project, contact: simon.clement@iclei-europe.org

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European Fair Trade Fair in Lyon, 1- 3 February 2008
Workshop on Fair Trade procurement in Europe
The first European Fair Trade Fair will take place on 1-3 February 2008 in Lyon, France.
Equi'Sol, a French Fair Trade association, and its European partners including ICLEI
will organise the event that will host 150 European exhibitors and attract 6,000 visitors.
The event will gather Fair Trade actors, including importers, wholesalers, shops, and
retailer and even the consumer.
On the first day, ICLEI will also organise a one-day workshop on Fair Trade
procurement. Approximately 50 to 100 participants are expected to attend the workshop which will see various
good practice experiences from across Europe presented, discussion panels with key stakeholders and the
presentation of the Buy Fair project results.
Register for the fair at: www.salon-europeen-commerce-equitable.org/-EUROPEAN-FAIRTRADE-FAIR-.html
For more information: peter.defranceschi@iclei-europe.org
Public Procurement boosts Energy Efficiency – PRO-EE project
Together with the Climate Alliance and others, this November ICLEI began working on a new project called
PRO-EE (Public Procurement boosts Energy Efficiency). The main aim of the project is to secure a higher
market share for the most energy efficient equipment and products and to accelerate their market penetration.
The project will set up a partnership between market actors in 6 European countries (Spain, Portugal, Italy,
Greece, Austria and Germany) to develop innovative approaches for public authorities and as such influence the
supplier side of energy efficient products and services. Regional sub-networks will be established which are
assisted by national expert organisations and will effectively undertake joint procurement. Possible products and
services that the project will focus on include office equipment, traffic lights, LED road signs, street lighting
systems and fuel-conserving vehicles.
For more information or if you are interested in taking part in the joint procurement project,
contact: simon.clement@iclei-europe.org
Sustainable Procurement tender examples now available online!
The Procura + website has now launched a new section where Sustainable Procurement Tender examples can be
downloaded and shared by everyone. These public authority tenders from across Europe include environment
and/or social criteria for different products and services. They are available as a pdf and they are in the local
language.
Some of the examples of these tenders are cleaning products and services, sustainable bus shelters and green
electricity.
We are always interested in collecting good tender examples to share with others. If you have carried out a
successful tendering process including environmental and/or social criteria, contact:
procurement@iclei-europe.org.
Visit current tender examples at the project website www.procuraplus.org

13
WATER
Local governments and Integrated Water Resources Management –
Studying the German Rhine river basin
Barge on the River Rhine
Free Foto
The Rhine is the most diverse inland waterway in Western Europe due to its
importance for navigation, industry, water supply and tourism. Over half the
length of the Rhine flows through Germany where some of the most intense
use of its water occurs.
The report “Local governance in water resources management in the Rhine
river basin in Germany” focuses on the role of local governments in managing
the basin’s water resources. The report also discusses local government
implications of the European Union Water Framework Directive that requires
water resources planning to include a stronger element of participation and to
follow river basin rather than administrative boundaries.
ICLEI has produced this report as part of the project “LoGo Water – Towards
effective involvement of local government in Integrated Water Resources
Management (IWRM) in river basins of the Southern African Development
Community region“. The report follows a similar study looking at the situation of
Dutch local governments that has been published earlier.
The LoGo Water project (2005-07) is carried out in a partnership of African and European organisations with
the ICLEI European Secretariat as the co-ordinator. The ambition of the project is to assist Southern African
local governments engaging in IWRM. Among others, the project partners have studied experiences in Europe
for their potential consideration in African countries.
The project is financed by Directorate-General Research of the European Commission.
All reports will be downloadable from: www.iclei-europe.org/logowater
For further information, contact: logowater@iclei.org
EVENTS WITH ICLEIs INTERNATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE
European Members Convention 2008, 23 – 25 June 2008, Zaragoza, Spain
The next ICLEI European Membership Convention will be generously
hosted by the City of Zaragoza, June 23 – 25, 2008. The Membership
Convention will be a dynamic event, with workshops, debates, networking
events, reports and site visits.
This is an unmissable opportunity for members to get involved and profit from
what ICLEI offers: joint vision, inspiration and encouragement, creativity and
innovation - that inspire local governments to achieve sustainable development.
Running concurrently to the European Members Convention is the
International Expo 2008, the theme of which is “Water and Sustainable
Development”. 105 countries representing all continents have, at the time of
printing, officially confirmed their participation next to companies, institutional
organisations, NGOs.
Plaza de Pilar, Zaragoza, Spain
Dreamstime

14
Some programme elements of ICLEI Zaragoza 2008 are planned to take place at the EXPO facilities. Local
authorities with a special interest related to water management please refer to www.expozaragoza2008.es
The European Members Convention aims to:
Address emerging topics facing cities, and discover how ICLEI can provide support in future campaigns
and programmes;
Evaluate achievements of members in implementing the Aalborg Commitments in the context of European
policy;
Share information on ICLEI’s profile as a member association, addressing its programmes, strategies,
partners, and projects, and also your involvement;
Provide a platform for European input into ICLEI’s global strategic development, to be discussed at the
next ICLEI World Congress in 2009 in Edmonton, Canada;
Develop a position as an organisation in the global climate debate between the local government sessions
in Bali 2007 and the UN Climate Summits in Warsaw 2008 and Copenhagen 2009.
Sustainable Tourism project wraps up with results
The SUVOT project on Sustainable and Vocational Tourism culminated with a conference held from the 23-24
November 2007 in Rimini, Italy. Aiming to promote a more sustainable form of tourism by focusing on the
innovative model of vocational tourism, nine famous tourist destinations in Italy, Greece, Lithuania, Spain,
Sweden and the UK came together to develop the concept based on their own experience and dynamism.
For more information and project results: www.iclei-europe.org/suvot turismosostenible@provincia.rimini.it
Dates for your diary – Upcoming ICLEI events
Local Governments Climate Sessions
Bali, Indonesia, 10 – 11 December 2007
Parallel event to the United Nations Climate Change Conference being held in Bali, Indonesia.
For more information: www.iclei.org/bali2007 or see page 4
Climate Protection and Renewable Energy: Medium and Small Communities facing the Challenge
Rovigo, Italy, 2 – 4 April 2008
For more information: www.iclei.org/rovigo2008 or see page 4
Mayors Conference - Local Action for Biodiversity
Parallel event to the Conference of the Parties to the UN-Convention on Biological Diversity
Bonn, Germany, 26-28 May 2008
For more information: www.iclei.org/biodiv-bonn2008
ICLEI European Members Convention
Zaragoza, Spain, 23 – 25 June 2008
For more information: www.iclei.org/zaragoza2008 or see page 13

15
In English
BOOK REVIEWS
“From Kyoto to the Town Hall, making International and National Climate Policy Work
at the Local Level”
The book is a collection of studies on the challenge of transforming the principles of a national climate strategy
into effective local and individual action and behaviour. Focusing mainly on the Swedish example, it analyses
several aspects of policy and implementation of climate strategies, from how to communicate climate topics to
the public to acceptance of climate taxes, cost effective climate policies, etc. It also gives an insight on the
Swedish national climate policy, which is making Sweden one of the few EU countries that will exceed their
Kyoto targets. One chapter is dedicated to the EU policy to comply with the Climate Convention and its targets.
Interesting read for politicians and decision-makers with a basic knowledge of climate and the international
negotiations.
Edited by Lennart J. Lundquist and Anders Biel, Earthscan, London, 2007 (ISBN: 978-1-84407-423-5)
Biofuels for Transport – Global Potential and Implications for Sustainable Energy and
Agriculture
Worldwide the production and use of renewable biofuels is increasing tremendously. This development, in turn,
sparks off a wave of new investments. The contributors in this book, the German Technical Co-operation (GTZ)
and the Worldwatch Institute emphasise the implications of biofuel use – for the economy, for the environment,
for global security and for the health of societies.
The book is intended as a resource for decision-makers, describing existing production methods and policies for
biofuels, as well as assessing options for future development and also contains a useful glossary on biofuels.
The contributors conclude that biofuels have a large potential to substitute petroleum fuels and that these can
help the world to achieve a more diversified and sustainable transportation system in the future.
Edited by Lisa Mastny, Worldwatch Institute, Earthscan, London, United Kingdom and Sterling, USA, 2007
(ISBN: 978-1-84407-422-8)
In German
Weltatlas des Klimawandels – Karten und Fakten zur globalen Erwärmung
Der Klimawandel ist im vollen Gange. Die weitreichenden Folgen sind bereits jetzt zu spüren. Menschen sind
weltweit von den Folgen des Klimawandels betroffen, manche mehr, andere weniger. Besonders die Armen in
den wenig entwickelten Ländern der Erde werden verstärkt unter den Folgen leiden.
Der „Weltatlas des Klimawandels“ mit Karten und Fakten zur globalen Erwärmung verdeutlicht auf
anschauliche Weise wie die Klimaveränderung auf die einzelnen Länder dieser Erde aussieht. Dabei betrachtet
er alle Themen, die direkt oder indirekt mit dem Klimawandel in Zusammenhang stehen sowie die Ursachen für
den Wandel. Hervorzuheben ist, dass die Autoren die hochkomplexen Zusammenhänge des Klimawandels
leicht verständlich darstellen. Sie appellieren an Verpflichtung und Verantwortlichkeit jedes Einzelnen, um
‚faire‘ gemeinschaftliche Anstrengungen zu entwickeln.
Was uns besonders freut, ist dass die Autoren ICLEI’s Städte für den Klimaschutz-Kampagne als Lokales
Engagement vorstellen. Diese weltweite Kampagne von Kommunen und Stadtverwaltungen setzt sich seit 1993
dafür ein, auf lokaler Ebene aktiv die CO2-Emissionen zu senken, um auf diese Weise einen globalen Beitrag zu
leisten.
Kirstin Dow, Thomas E. Downing mit einem Vorwort von Prof. Hans Joachim Schnellhuber. Europäische
Verlagsanstalt , Hamburg, Germany, 2007 (ISBN: 978-3-434-50610-2)

NEW RESOURCES FROM ICLEI
Online resources
As a complementary part of the EU-funded project Responsibility in Procurement (RESPIRO), the website
www.respiro-project.eu is now online. From this platform users can access a multitude of information on
Socially Responsible Procurement (including guides) and on the RESPIRO conference which takes place from
3-4 December 2007 in Lille, France with the aim of presenting and discussing the outcomes of the project.
To keep you up-to-date about the many biofuel related events, workshops and seminars taking place across
Europe, an events database has been added to the Biofuel Cities website. To find an upcoming event or to add
an event of your own, go to www.biofuel-cities.eu/index.php?id=4023
Publications
The Aalborg Commitments Implementation Guide has been produced within the framework of the ACTOR
Project - `Aalborg Commitments Tools and Resources´ and is co-financed by the European Commission,
Directorate General for Research. The guide is available in 7 languages: English, German, Italian, Spanish,
French, Polish and Slovak. To download the guide in pdf version and for more information on the Aalborg
Commitments, visit: www.localsustainability.eu
The Buy Fair Guide, produced by ICLEI in co-operation with the Provincial Council of Barcelona, Spain, is now
available in 5 languages (Catalan/Spanish, German, English and Slovenian) as pdf files from the project
website: www.buyfair.org. To order a print copy of the Guide or for more information on the project, contact:
peter.defranceschi@iclei-europe.org
Within the framework of Project21, a checkbook for sustainable municipal development has been developed.
Contact Stefan Kuhn: projekt21@iclei-europe.org for copies or for more information, visit:
www.iclei.org/europe/projekt21
Members - send us your news!
If you want to profile your community’s work for local sustainability by contributing an article
to the European Circular or to the www.iclei.org and www.iclei-europe.org websites, feel
free to contact the Information Services Team at the ICLEI European Secretariat. The
Team will help you with presenting your work and edit your articles – contact them today at:
information.services@iclei-europe.org
The ICLEI European Circular is produced by the European Secretariat of ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability.
Copies are available on request. Editors: Stefanie Lay (responsible), Ciara Leonard, Stefania Bressan.
Comments and questions are welcome – please write to Ciara Leonard at: information.services@iclei-europe.org,
Leopoldring 3, 79098 Freiburg, Germany, Tel: +49-761/36 89 2-0, www.iclei-europe.org
© 2007 ICLEI European Secretariat GmbH, Freiburg, Germany. All rights reserved.
The ICLEI mission
ICLEI's mission is to build and serve a worldwide movement of local governments to achieve tangible improvements in
global sustainability with special focus on environmental conditions through cumulative local actions. ICLEI's general
mandate is to build an active and committed municipal membership of local spheres of government (local and regional
governments and authorities) as well as international, regional, national and sub-national local government associations.
ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability
European Secretariat · Leopoldring 3 · 79098 Freiburg · Germany
Phone: +49-761/36892-0 · Fax: +49-761/36892-19 · E-mail: iclei-europe@iclei-europe.org · http://www.iclei.org/europe
ICLEI was founded in 1990 as International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives
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