Climate change in the focus in the North

The long lasting twinning relationships between the towns of Lahti (Finland), Randers (Denmark), Vasteras (Sweden), Alesund (Norway) and Akureyri (Iceland) are the basis for a co-operation project where the challenges of climate change are being tackled. In 2007 these Nordic municipalities agreed on constructing "The Nordic Climate Declaration" where they presented a plea for all Nordic cities to take climate change into serious consideration and to take action at local level in climate change prevention. The aim of Town Twinning - a Resource for Combating Climate Change project is to deepen the well-started co-operation and to conceptualize the whole problem of climate change. This will be achieved by two separate conferences that are held in Lahti in 2009 and in Randers in 2010 where climate change is in the focus.

The primary target groups of the project are decision-makers, city officials, local and international nongovernmental organisations, as well as the media. The target audience is expanded to include all citizens of the participating municipalities by producing and distributing an information leaflet that covers the possibilities each and everyone have in reducing their impact on climate change. The two interlinked conferences serve as a common platform for the participants to exchange experiences and learn from best practices proven successful elsewhere. During the conferences the realization of EU climate policies on a local level are being discussed and concrete methods of reducing greenhouse gas emissions presented.

The focus is also set on the development of future co-operation and strengthening the network. The project is part-financed by the Europe for Citizens -programme.