The Regional Director of ICLEI Europe, Wolfgang Teubner, was received at the Lisbon City Council by the Green Infrastructure and Energy Councilor José Sà¡ Fernandes, the Municipal Chamber of Lisbon team, and the Energy and Environmental Agency Lisboa-e-Nova during a trip to the Portuguese capital earlier this month.

The meeting focused on the environmental, climate and energy work being developed by the Municipal Chamber, with particular attention paid to the City of Lisbon's targets on mitigation and adapting to the impacts of climate change, including energy and water security. The ongoing green infrastructure implementation process was also discussed, along with the solar potential of the city, nature-based solutions and opportunities for enhancing cycling as a means of sustainable mobility.

Mr. Teubner was complementary towards the strategy followed by Lisbon and noted the importance of enhancing cooperation between the city and ICLEI. The new Covenant of Mayors targets were discussed, as well as other projects where the City of Lisbon and ICLEI could actively collaborate.

For more information, visit www.cm-lisboa.pt [in Portuguese]Image copyright: Image ( ICLEI European Secretariat) more   13 June 2016 Cities encouraged to join Sustainable Tropical Timber CoalitionPublic authorities in Europe use enormous amounts of timber-based products, whether in the construction of infrastructure such as buildings and bridges, or for furniture and office-equipment needs. Through increasing the demand for sustainable products, and in particular sustainable timber, public procurers have the power to stimulate green growth. To help bring this message to cities, ICLEI has partnered with the European Sustainable Tropical Timber Coalition (STTC), a Netherlands-based initiative for sustainable trade and responsible forest management.

The STTC is a broad alliance of industry, business, local and regional governments and NGOs working in close partnership with the European Timber Trade Federation to increase European demand for sustainably sourced tropical timber. Through joining the coalition, members can benefit from expert support and networking opportunities with like-minded purchasers. They will also have access to tens of thousands of Euros of funding to implement sustainable sourcing strategies and to enhance sustainable procurement of tropical timber.

Purchasing responsibly sourced tropical timber is one of the best ways for European governments to combat deforestation and to prevent the clearing of the world's most important rainforests. The sustainable management of tropical forests provides significant employment opportunities and economic benefits to local communities in developing countries, lifting many people out of poverty. It also contributes to preserving unique biodiversity, such as endangered animal and plant species. To ensure that timber producing countries embrace sustainable practices, it is crucial that consumer countries demonstrate that there is a viable, long-term demand by making responsibly sourced timber the market norm.

For more information, contact peter.defranceschi@iclei.org.Image copyright: Image (Natrufied Architecture) more

» Publication Date: 14/06/2016

» Source: Iclei Europe

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