In Hamburg, 25 metropolitan regions committed themselves to cut their greenhouse gas emissions by 80% before 2050. Delegates of cities such as Amsterdam, Lyon, Stockholm, Hamburg, Frankfurt or München signed the joined declaration during a special climate change conference of the Network of European Metropolitan Regions and Areas (METREX). So, another piece of evidence that… » read more
Posted by Willy De Backer
2 October, 2007
The Council of Paris adopted an ambitious “climate action plan” on 1 October. The French capital wants to achieve a 75% reduction of its greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 compared to 2004. It will do this by fostering public transport and setting up a “Marshall Plan” to renovate existing buildings. With its plan, Paris follows in… » read more
Posted by Willy De Backer
The plans of New York mayor Michael Bloomberg to introduce a London-like congestion charge in the Big Apple was dealt a severe blow on Monday when state lawmakers failed to the find the necessary majority to adopt the plans. Mayor Bloomberg vowed to continue his battle and hit out at the state policymakers. The news… » read more
Posted by Willy De Backer
EurActiv has finally published the interview I did with London Vice-Mayor Nicki Gavron during the EU’s last Green Week. The interview showcases Gavron’s strong belief in the need for a new “energy paradigm” with decentralised energy production as one of its main dimensions. London-based think tank Accountability published its “State of Responsible Competitiveness 2007” last… » read more
Posted by Willy De Backer
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Business and climate change, Green cities, sustainability, sustainable competitiveness |
Today’s Green Week session on the role of cities and regions for climate change policies and sustainability turned out to be a huge disappointment. This is all the more unfortunate if one agrees (like I do) with Margot Wallström’s remark made yesterday that the “fight for sustainability will be lost or won in the cities”.… » read more
Posted by Willy De Backer
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Climate change, European Commission, European Union, Green cities, sustainable development |
12 June, 2007
“Past lessons, future challenges” is the overall title of this year’s Green Week organised from 12 to 15 June in Brussels and was also the topic of the first high-level opening session this morning. Commission President Barroso started the session with a remarkably optimistic evaluation of the recent G8-meeting and a positive picture of EU… » read more
Posted by Willy De Backer
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Climate change, ecological economics, European Commission, European Union, Global Warming, Green cities |
22 May, 2007
Carbon dioxide emissions will rise 59% by 2030 as economic growth will drive demand for energy. This is the bad news published today by the US Energy Information Administration in its International Energy Outlook 2007. Looking at these figures, who still believes the EU will be able to convince other regions that a global reduction… » read more
Posted by Willy De Backer
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Climate change, European Parliament, Global Warming, Green cars, Green cities |
European ministers for urban planning will be adopting the Leipzig Charter on European Sustainable Cities when they meet in the German city from 24 to 25 May. EurActiv has special coverage on cities and sustainability during the whole week. On Wednesday 23th, the UK government will present a new Energy White Paper. One of the… » read more
Posted by Willy De Backer
14 May, 2007
Mayors and representatives from more than 40 big cities will meet in New York from 14-17 May to exchange experiences in dealing with their rising greenhouse gas emissions. Megacities are responsible for more than two thirds of all the world’s emissions. The C40 Large Cities Climate Change summit has a special website with interesting case… » read more
Posted by Willy De Backer
24 April, 2007
China puts economic growth before climate security. Although global warming will threaten China’s development, Beijing is not willing to constrain its economic growth, says a 400-pages official report published by the Chinese government. Who can blame them when their big capitalist brother, the United States, lives by the same rules and when lots of European… » read more
Posted by Willy De Backer
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Climate change, energy security, European Union, Green cities, sustainability |
