project brief networking action to involve local...

PROJECT BRIEFNetworking action to involve Local Governments in the EUand international energy and climate debate (LG Action)

www.lg-action.eu

LG-Action-Flyer_FINAL FINAL.indd 1 16/10/2009 12:46:33

Communities in contextPeople, money, energy, environment – these issues are draw-ing attention in modern society and are closely connected to developments in a changing climate. Communities are responding to this by engaging in local climate and sustain-able energy action.

Why do they do this? They have different motivations to en-gage and reap multiple local benefits, which can include:

• Energy security (securing supply and keeping money in the local economy)

• Economic improvement (saving and making money, job creation)

• ‘Local to global’ responsibility (protecting people and the environment)

• Social upliftment of poorer residents

• Urban infrastructure improvement.

Responding to climate changeThe impacts of climate change (will) vary across the globe. The impacts in urban areas are expected to be severe, as this is where most people are living today. We need to respond to climate change by mitigation and adaptation. This means reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by changing our energy use and improving community resilience.

– your local government voice in the energy and climate debate!Link up! Share your views! Be heard!LG Action

European focus on climate and energyThe EU-27 adopted a Climate and Energy Package with CO2 reduction, renewable energy and energy efficiency targets. This Package now provides the policy context for all Member States. To reach these targets the involvement of many dif-ferent actors is needed, including citizens in their communi-ties. There will not be a solution to climate change without local climate action.

Yet, powerful local action requires a supportive and enabling framework. Local governments (LGs) need the assistance of their national governments, and other levels, such as state, region or provincial level, each with a specific mandate and role. LGs are responsible for the local level, where the impact of climate change is being experienced and where it will con-tinue to manifest.

Citizens also need to engage and change, while local leaders need to guide this process. As the closest level of govern-ment to citizens, local governments are familiar with local issues and responsible for local governance. The munici-pality needs to inform, motivate, act in an exemplary manner and support community change, also improving resilience.


The consortium offers:

• A questionnaire to collect LG input

• Events for exchange

• Support for local-national dialogue opportunities

• A concise Guide on Local Climate Action

• Input into global advocacy on behalf of LGs

• Sending clear messages to European sustainable energy actors and actions, based on LG Positionings

LG Action

A European and global movementLeading local government associations worldwide, repre-senting communities around the globe, have embarked on a two-year strategy - the Local Government Climate Roadmap (www.iclei.org/climate-roadmap). This Roadmap aims for a strong and comprehensive post-2012 climate regime and draws attention to the crucial role and interest of LGs in cli-mate protection. LG Action forms part of this international endeavour, with a specific focus on Europe – with results feeding into the international and European energy and cli-mate debate.

– Philosophy of successThere are more than 100,000 LGs across Europe. Together, they have a vast power for action and can influence decision-making at all levels. LG Action offers a range of opportunities to be heard. It provides a powerful LG voice.

LG Action

gives LGs across Europe a voice to help shape the climate and energy policy framework at national and European level.LG Action

To support LGs in the EU-27 in understanding the challenges in local climate and sustainable energy action, LG Action is a European networking activity that aims to:

• Discover the needs of LGs in this area of action: barriers, challenges, opportunities

• Collect and analyse this input from LGs to develop Positionings

• Present the positions to national governments and the European Commission

• Mobilise LGs to act, sharing concise information on why it is important and what can be done

• Call for greater recognition of their role at all levels of government

• Request the development of enabling framework conditions – at European level and at national level


www.lg-action.eu

SUPPORTED BY:

This project is co-funded by the European Commission under the “Intelligent Energy – Europe” (IEE) Programme.

DISCLAIMER:

The sole responsibility for the content of this publication lies with the authors. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Communities. The European Com-mission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

CONSORTIUM PARTNERS

Local Government Denmark (LGDK)

LGDK is the interest group and member authority of Danish municipalities. LGDK supports the municipalities with con-sulting services and information to enable them to attend to their tasks in the best possible way. The membership or-ganisation also assists regional networks in order to support political cooperation between the municipalities.

The Association of Cities and Regions forRecycling and sustainable Resourcemanagement (ACR+)

ACR+ is an international network of nearly 100 members with the shared aim of promoting the sustainable consumption of resources and the management of municipal waste through prevention at source, reuse and recycling. ACR+ membership mainly consists of local and regional public authorities as well as national networks of local authorities representing more than 1100 municipalities around Europe (EU-27 + can-

didate countries) and neighbourhood policy countries.

The Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC)

REC is an international organisation with a mission to assist in solving environmental problems. The REC fulfils this mis-sion by promoting cooperation among governments, non-governmental organisations, businesses and other environ-mental stakeholders, and by supporting the free exchange of information and public participation in environmental

decision making.

Italian Local Agenda 21 Association (CA21L)

CA21L is a non-profit national association that spreads the Local Agenda 21 concept and promotes sustainable develop-ment models. Members of the association are municipalities, provinces, regions and other local authorities, as well as all protected areas where a Local Agenda 21 Action Plan is pro-moted, adopted or considered in the short term.

PROJECT COORDINATOR

ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability,European Secretariat, Germany

ICLEI is an international association of local governments and national and regional local government organisations that have made a commitment to sustainable development. ICLEI Europe is leading this project consortium.

© 2009 ICLEI European Secretariat, Freiburg, GermanyAll rights reserved.No part of this publication may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means without written permission of the ICLEIEuropean Secretariat.Photos: Dreamstime, fotolia, stockxpertDesign: Rebekka DoldThis leaflet is printed on 100% recycled and totally chlorine free (TCF) paper and meets the criteria of the Blue Angel and Nordic Swan.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Maryke van StadenProject CoordinatorICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, European Secretariat

Tel: +49 761 36892-0E-mail: [email protected]: www.lg-action.eu


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