Irish Regions Office Website

May 23, 2010

Cities and towns assume low carbon lead

More recognition of the role local and regional authorities can play in the creation of smart, sustainable local economies was the key message arising out of the recent 6th Sustainable Cities and Towns Conference - Europe's largest local sustainability event - this year held in Dunkerque from 19-21 May.

After three days of debate, analysis and discussion exploring how sustainable development can help local governments to face the current economic, social and climate challenges, the 1,800 participants ratified two political declarations intending to identify the changes needed to our political frameworks and to explore how different sectors can cooperate to advance sustainable development in Europe. A particular aim was to create a system of governance that integrates local and regional governments more actively and coherently into how EU policies and resources on sustainability are managed over the coming years.

The Dunkerque 2010 Local Sustainability Declaration states that the transition to a sustainable, green and inclusive economy is now inevitable, as current models are resource and energy intensive and cannot stand up to a changing economic climate. The Dunkerque 2010 Call on Climate Action insists that local governments send strong messages to national governments in order that future international agreements can exceed what was achieved by the Copenhagen Accord at last December's United Nations Climate Change Conference.

Local Sustainability Declaration
Call on Climate Action

Posted by iroronan at May 23, 2010 11:43 AM