Participation
Record in ComEnv
The UBC Commission on Environment and the
Agenda 21 Working Group meeting in Nacka, 31 May -1 June
was a real success, with fascinating program and over 70
participants! The thematic sessions on Ecological Housing,
Energy, Waste, Waste Water and Ecological Gardening provided
many interesting presentations and on-site excursions. On
top of these, the formal commission plenary, as well as
the final panel, were both very active and provided a lot
of suggestions for future work.
The meeting was also attended by two American
experts: Executive Director Mr. John B. Phillips from the
Energy Coalition of California and Professor Dr. Timothy
Beatley from University of Virginia. Their interventions
on energy and sustainable urban development stimulated the
participants with wider geographical perspectives. We also
learnt that many cities in the United States are making
really good efforts for sustainable development, and that
the liberalized energy market is facing serious problems
on the other side of the Atlantic.
The next EnvCom meeting will be organised
in Kolding back-to-back with the Johannesburg +Europe Conference
(4-6 November 2002). More information is avalable at the
EnvCom webpages (www.ubc.net/commissions/environment.html).
The EnvCom is open to all member cities and partner organisations.
You are Cordially Welcome to participate and contribute!
UBC and EC in Environmental
Governance
UBC and Eurocities organised together a seminar
on Environmental Governance for ten European City Networks
in Aalborg, 18 September. The seminar, organised back-to-back
with the EU Conference on Environment and Governance (Aalborg
19-20 September) was part of the European Sustainable Cities
and Towns Campaign, where UBC together with Eurocities (EC)
has the responsibility to lead the work on Environmental
Governance. The outcomes - a message from the Campaign Networks
- were reported to the conference.
In their joint message, the networks emphasized
the role of local governments as one sphere of government
in Europe. The networks of local government are representing
democratically elected local authorities, and provide a
good intermediator between the EU bodies and the local level.
The EU is also currently developing interesting new policy
instruments, like the tripartite contracts, to engage in
direct co-operation with local governments. In their message
to the conference, the networks welcomed such initiatives
and expressed their readiness to work on them together with
the EU and national authorities.
If you would like to have further information
on the Campaign, please, visit the website at www.sustainable-cities.org.
by Mr Risto Veivo
UBC Environmental Coordinator
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