Renewables have played a crucial role in cutting Europe's energy consumption, powering almost 15.5 percent of the EU energy sector in 2014. Following one of the EU Energy Union's core pillars, citizen empowerment, city leaders have contributed to this success by enabling citizens to participate in the renewable local energy markets. When designing the urban energy transformation, local authorities are also exploring the opportunities and challenges of smart technologies and innovation. But do these guarantee a sustainable city?

Local Renewables 2016, taking place from 26 "“ 28 October, will discuss this and many more topics throughout a three-day conference programme to be held in two cities working towards an energy transition: Freiburg (Germany) and Basel (Switzerland). It will offer participants the opportunity to visit one of the world's best examples of sustainable urban living, the Vauban neighbourhood, as well as the Gundeldingerfeld district, an example of transformation from a former industrial site into a fashionable commercial and cultural district, designed in line with the principles outlined for the 2000 Watt Society.

Space for the conference is limited so registration as soon as possible is advised. For updates on Local Renewables 2016 and the event series, visit the conference website or contact the conference secretariat: lr2016@iclei.org. Follow updates as they happen: @LR_Series #LocalRenewables

For more information and to register, click here.Image copyright: Image (ICLEI Europe) more   27 September 2016 The Basque Declaration to be presented at Habitat IIIThe Basque Declaration goes global in a session in Quito (Ecuador) on 19 October at the Sustainable Cities Campus during Habitat III. In an urgent call for a transformation of our societies and in response to the current societal, environmental and economic crises in Europe, 800 delegates from local governments and civil society adopted the Basque Declaration at the 8th European Conference on Sustainable Cities and Towns in April 2016. The session in Quito will sound out as to how far the declaration can also support cities beyond Europe.

The Basque Declaration expresses a cohesive spirit for societal transformation. It recognises sustainability as not only being a technical issue, but rather puts emphasis on the social and cultural dimension of transformation needed in our societies in order to be successful. Involving citizens actively in shaping sustainable urban environments and thereby making them responsible citizens is the challenge today. This needs to happen in an inclusive way that leaves no one behind. The session will detail how The Basque Declaration supports the implementation of global frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda, to be adopted at HABITAT III.

Ana Oregi, Minister of Environment and Territorial Policy of the Basque Country will showcase how the Basque Country and the cities in the area are leading by example. Ms. Oregi will introduce transformative actions implemented in the Basque Country that support Europe to be more inclusive and liveable. Damien Caràªme, Mayor of City of Grand-Synthe and Vice President of the Communauté Urbaine de Dunkerque, France, will present on how the inclusion of migrants is an essential part of the transformation of our societies. Other political representatives from cities around the world will showcase how transformative actions can support the SDGs. The Sustainable Cities Campus is a venue hosted by Quito to discuss the role of cities in the New Urban Agenda. The event is free of charge and is open to the public.

To register, click here.
To endorse the Basque Declaration, click here.Image copyright: Image (ICLEI Europe) more

» Publication Date: 28/09/2016

» Source: Iclei Europe

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