Climate Alliance News

Register now for CITY CYCLING 2023

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0100

Starting today, municipalities can register for this year's edition of the successful Climate Alliance campaign CITY CYCLING. Since 2008, CITY CYCLING has been inviting local politicians and citizens to get on their bikes in their community for 21 days between May and September and thus set an example for sustainable mobility and climate protection. Last year, more than 920,000 people were part of CITY CYCLING and cycled almost 180 million kilometres in a climate-friendly way - a record year for the campaign.

Since 2017, municipalities outside Germany can also participate in CITY CYCLING. The requirements and rules are identical, but there is a 20% discount on the participation fees if the/one national language is not German and thus, among other things, not all materials can be fully used.

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53 pilot cities selected for support on the path to climate neutrality

Thu, 02 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0100

Yesterday, the 53 selected pilot cities for the NetZeroCities pilot programme were announced, including eight Climate Alliance members. The pilot cities will test new and fast ways out of oil, gas and coal in a two-year programme. In doing so, they will implement systemic and locally designed actions in several areas and test levers of transformation, including governance, finance and policy. The cities are supported by grants worth €32 million. The full list of all pilot cities and their projects is now available online.

The NetZeroCities pilot programme is managed by the Mission Platform of the EU Climate Neutral and Smart Cities Mission (EU Cities Mission). The Cities Mission aims for 112 cities to become climate neutral by 2030.

Open call for technical assistance to tackle energy poverty at the local level

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0100

As of today, the Energy Poverty Advisory Hub (EPAH) invites local governments and/or organisations working in strict collaboration with local governments from all the 27 EU Member States to submit their request for technical assistance and receive support in the process of tackling energy poverty. Awarded applicants will receive up to 9 months of tailored support by experts and the EPAH team to develop their energy poverty actions. The deadline for applications is 31 March 2023.

The Energy Poverty Advisory Hub is the leading initiative for local action against energy poverty. As coordinator of the initiative, Climate Alliance organises a number of informational webinars to help interested local authorities with their applications and answer questions about the call for technical assistance.

This is already the second round of the call. In 2022, 23 applicants have already been selected and supported in their local projects to fight energy poverty. Information on the projects is available online.

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New research published on the importance of indigenous territories for rainforest protection

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0100

The Amazon is the largest tropical rainforest in the world and a important carbon sink. However, it is on the verge of becoming a carbon source. The southeastern Amazon already emits more carbon than it sequesters. A new study by the World Resources Institute has now reconfirmed that forests managed by indigenous peoples in the Amazon still store more carbon than they emit. However, areas outside indigenous territories have become a source of carbon overall, partly due to systematic clearing for agriculture. The study thus underlines the need to support indigenous peoples and other local communities in protecting their forests and conserving the remaining carbon sinks in the Amazon.

In addition to the World Resources Institute study, a research team from DIE ZEIT, The Guardian and SourceMaterial recently found that compensation projects in the rainforest do not deliver what they promise. An international research team evaluated one third of the rainforest projects (the most widely used by companies) certified by Verra, the world's leading certification body, and came to the conclusion that 90 percent of the certificates are worthless. This evaluation alone corresponds to false certificates amounting to 89 million tonnes of CO₂. This clearly shows how problematic offset projects are. Objective evidence that offsetting actually leads to more climate protection often does not exist.

These findings also confirm Climate Alliance's long-standing positions on offsetting and rainforest protection. However, the pressure on Amazonia is increasing and without indigenous peoples there will be no rainforests in the long term. For this reason, Climate Alliance continues to cooperate with indigenous partners in Amazonia and supports them in preserving their territories. The Climate Fund of Climate Alliance is a new instrument that will soon be available to member municipalities and other supporters to make their contribution to the protection of the Amazon.

Learn more

Climate Alliance supports international fossil fuel non-proliferation initiative

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0100

With the Fossil Fuel Non-Profileration Treaty, Climate Alliance now supports international demands for a stop on fossil energies. Inspired by historical treaties such as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty or the Montreal Protocol for the protection of the ozone layer, the initiative calls for a new multilateral agreement to stop the expansion of fossil fuel production. The demands are supported by 101 Nobel laureates, more than 3,000 scientists, the EU Parliament, more than 1,300 civil society organisations and an increasing number of cities and towns.

More than 70 cities worldwide have already joined the campaign. In Germany, the Cities of Bonn and Marburg have already adopted resolutions to this effect. Climate Alliance therefore calls on all interested cities and towns to draft a motion or start a campaign calling on their municipality to support the treaty. All information on the city campaign and possible wording aids are available online.

Have questions? Contact Julian Thoss at j.thoss(at)klimabuendnis.org.

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Municipal procurement practitioners wanted for the PROTECT Community

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0100

Procurement practitioners and interested municipal representatives can register for the new PROTECT Community until 15 February. The aim of the group is to prepare participants to conduct joint, cross-border or coordinated procurements, share challenges from everyday procurement with experts, provide insights into the climate services market, tailor-made training software and related events to municipal practitioners, and much more.

The opportunity is offered by the EU PROTECT project. The mission of the project is to strategically prepare municipal practitioners to carry out a future pre-commercial procurement. This objective is funded by the European Commission and is expected to start in 2024 with an amount of up to 19 million euros.

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Job offer: Energy poverty project manager

Wed, 21 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0100

Climate Alliance European Secretariat (Brussels Office) is seeking a Energy poverty project manager to join its highly motivated and multilingual Brussels team. The position concerns management of a newly started EU grant and contributions to the Energy Poverty Advisory Hub.

Our ideal candidate:

You have academic or practical experiences in working with vulnerable segments at a local level. You are impact oriented with a focus on local actions while still having an interest in the policy developments at EU level on the topic. You have good knowledge or experiences with local climate and energy planning from a specific or various municipalities. You are interested in being a part of a small but vibrant office in Brussels committed to drive the energy transition at a high pace in a socially just manner.

Complete job description and application requirements (pdf)

We offer the following:

A full-time position in Brussels under the Belgian law
A 2-year contract (with a possibility to be extended), starting as soon as possible
Benefits: paid leave (‘pécule de vacances’), DKV Medicare & lunch vouchers
A positive, friendly and flexible working environment

Application:

Applicants must have the legal right to be employed in Belgium. To apply, please send (in English):

motivation letter addressing the requirements and desired results for this position (1 page)
your CV including at least two reference names (2 pages max)

to: career(at)climatealliance.org
Closing date for applications: 1 February 2023

Have questions? Please contact Jeppe Jensen at j.jensen(at)climatealliance.org

New EEA report: EU member states are scaling up climate adaptation efforts

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0100

On 14 December, the European Environment Agency (EEA) presented its new report on the status of national climate adaptation measures. Within the framework of the ETC CA project, Climate Alliance was also significantly involved in the development of the report.

The report provides an overview of the national adaptation action of all EU Member States for the year 2021, showing that national efforts in the field of climate adaptation have been scaled up: Capacities for raising awareness on climate adaptation have been built, more funding opportunities for adaptation measures have been tapped. Also, some countries are using legislation to institutionalise climate risk assessment. Nevertheless, many countries still rely on soft measures without legal obligation, and the social equity aspect of climate adaptation has not yet arrived in many countries.

The full report is now available online in English.

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More than 920,000 people log kilometres cycled for the climate

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0100

Joint press release of the Saarland Ministry for the Environment, Climate and Mobility; the state capital Saarbrücken; and Climate Alliance.

Saarbrücken/Frankfurt am Main, 1 December 2022. Over 920,000 participants from 2,557 municipalities in five countries – that is the tally for this year's international City Cycling camapign by Climate Alliance. Between May and September, participants cycled almost 180 million kilometres in a climate-friendly way, thereby avoiding more than 27,000 tonnes of CO₂. Yesterday, the award ceremony for this year's most successful City Cycling municipalities took place in Saarbrücken (DE). Saarland's Minister for the Environment, Climate and Mobility, Petra Berg as well as Saarbrücken's Lord Mayor Uwe Conradt and Climate Alliance's André Muno awarded the winning municipalities.

"Year for year, the great response to City Cycling sends a clear message in support of climate action and cycling. If we want to make cycling more attractive, we need role models. I am sure that many of those who took part in the campaign will not only use their bikes more often themselves, but will also influence friends and family. This is how we can promote everyday cycling, bit by bit," stressed Minister Berg. In many municipalities, the campaign has been a fixed date in the calendar for years and is a welcome occasion to pay special attention to cycling. "The expansion of the cycling infrastructure, which we are promoting, plays a very important role when it comes to getting people excited about cycling. But certain everday routines must also change. City Cycling is a helpful campaign to stimulate such processes. More and more people in Saarbrücken and the State of Saarland are joining in and getting on their bikes," explained Mayor Conradt regarding the campaign in Saarbrücken.

When it comes to encouraging people to switch to cycling in the longterm, more progressis on expanding the necessary cycling infrastructure is needed. "People will only become convinced cyclists if they feel safe and can reach their destination quickly and flexibly," points out campaign director André Muno. "Many municipalities have realised that the infrastructure is essential for this. Now it's time to put the necessary changes in place."

_{City Cycling is an international campaign of Climate Alliance and is supported by the partners Ortlieb, ABUS, stadthelm.de, DB Call a Bike, ROSE Bikes, Busch + Müller, Paul Lange & Co, WSM and Schwalbe.}

_{In the federal state of Saarland, the campaign is supported by the Ministry for the Environment, Climate, Mobility, Agriculture and Consumer Protection.}

Further information

Contacts

Sebastian Reisch
Communications City Cycling
Climate Alliance
T. +49 69 7171 39 -76
s.reisch(at)climatealliance.org

Sarah Mekjian
Communications Director
Climate Alliance
T. +49 69 7171 39 -20
communications@climatealliance.org

Saarland Ministry for the Environment, Climate, Mobility, Agriculture and Consumer Protection
Press Office
T. +49 681 501 -4710/4792
presse(at)umwelt.saarland.de

Thomas Blug
Head of Marketing and Communication
State Capital Saarbrücken
T. +49 681 905-1350
medien(at)saarbruecken.de

_{CITY CYCLING}_{With its international City Cycling campaign, Climate Alliance invites all citizens and members of local parliaments to pedal and set an example for increased promotion of cycling. In teams, they are to collect as many bicycle kilometres as possible for their municipality on 21 consecutive days between May and September. The campaign aims to sensitise citizens to cycling in everyday life and to bring the issues of bicycle use and cycling planning more strongly into local parliaments. With the reporting platform RADar! and the project RiDE - Radverkehr in Deutschland (Cycling in Germany), which provides scientifically prepared cycling data to the participating municipalities, the campaign also includes two elements with which the cycling infrastructure can be improved in a very concrete way including the involvement of citizens. city-cycling.org}

_{CLIMATE ALLIANCE
For over 30 years, Climate Alliance member municipalities have been acting in partnership with indigenous rainforest peoples for the benefit of the global climate. With nearly 2,000 members spread across more than 25 European countries, Climate Alliance is Europe's largest city network dedicated to comprehensive and equitable climate action. Each member city, town and district has committed itself to continually cut greenhouse gas emissions, aiming for a 95% reduction by 2050 (as compared to 1990 levels) in line with IPCC recommendations. Recognising the impact our lifestyles can have on the world's most vulnerable people and places, Climate Alliance pairs local action with global responsibility. climatealliance.org}

Climate Alliance presents children’s efforts to UN Climate Secretariat at COP27

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0100

Frankfurt am Main, 15 November 2022. Yesterday, Climate Alliance handed over the results of its Green Footprints campaign to Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the UN Climate Change Secretariat, during the 27th Climate Summit in Sharm el Sheikh. Through handover ceremonies held annually at the UN Climate Change Conferences, the UNFCCC officially acknowledges the efforts of tens of thousands of children within the framework of the Climate Alliance campaign.

"Kids, you are our future. Keep doing what you're doing. Let your voices be heard. You are key stakeholders in this," commented Executive Secretary Stiell upon receiving the campaign results. "As adults and as policy makers, we have a responsibility to you to leave this planet in a better state than we found it and to provide you with the opportunities that you deserve, that we have had and that some of us have squandered. We have a responsibility to all of you."

With 236,281 children from eight European countries, more children and institu-tions participated in this year’s campaign than ever before. Children from Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Northern Macedonia and Sweden collected a total of 3,019,901 Green Footprints by choosing climate-friendly transport, using energy sustainably and eating local or organic foods.

"The feedback from participating institutions shows that children are very aware of the dangers posed by the climate crisis. They are distressed and also fright-ened, thus hoping that concrete changes will be made to avert these dangers – a call to global decision-makers to work together in overcoming the climate crisis and ensuring a secure future," emphasised Andreas Wolter, Climate Alliance President.

Climate Alliance's Green Footprints campaign has been inviting children from across Europe to act for the climate since 2002. Together, the children learn more about sustainable lifestyles and push for climate action with the footprints they collect.

FURTHER INFORMATION

CONTACTS
Sarah Mekjian, Climate Alliance
Communications Director
+49 69 7171 39 -20
s.mekjian(at)climatealliance.org

Claudia Schury, Climate Alliance
Green Footprints Campaign Manager
T. +49 69 7171 39 -22
c.schury(at)klimabuendnis.org

_{THE GREEN FOOTPRINTS CAMPAIGN
Since 2002, Climate Alliance’s Green Footprints has been helping children across Europe learn about the influ-ences of their daily actions on the climate and encouraging them to become role models for both their parents and climate politicians. During at least a one week period, children in participating classes collect so-called ‘green footprints’ for every sustainable trip completed via public transport, bike or foot as well as for other environmen-tally-friendly habits such as sustainable nutrition. These footprints are presented to the participants and politi-cians at the UNFCCC’s annual Climate Conferences. zoom-kidsforclimate.eu}

_{THE CLIMATE ALLIANCE
For over 30 years, Climate Alliance member municipalities have been acting in partnership with indigenous rainforest peoples for the benefit of the global climate. With nearly 2,000 members spread across more than 25 European countries, Climate Alliance is Europe's largest city network dedicated to comprehensive and equitable climate action. Each member city, town and district has committed itself to continually cut greenhouse gas emissions, aiming for a 95% reduction by 2050 (as compared to 1990 levels) in line with IPCC recommendations. Recognising the impact our lifestyles can have on the world's most vulnerable people and places, Climate Alliance pairs local action with global responsibility. climatealliance.org}

Application deadline for Climate Star competition extended to 15 November

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0200

Climate Alliance members from across Europe can apply for the 10th Climate Star competition until 15 November. The original application deadline of 31 October has been moved back two weeks to give even more municipalities the opportunity to enter the race for the Climate Star.

In the 10th edition of our climate action competition, we are looking for municipal best practice examples that demonstrate solutions under the motto The future is now: How do we leave our children and grandchildren a world worth living in? How do we move from talking to doing? How do we make our cities and communities resilient? How do we secure a future worth living in? It is not only the thematic focus that matters, but the ambition to make a difference for our future now.

Further information and details on the application process are available online.

Learn more

10th Climate Star Competition
Application

Climate Alliance calls for robust Social Climate Fund

Tue, 11 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0200

On 11 October, Climate Alliance joined WWF, Oxfam, CAN Europe and over 35 other associations, NGOs and civil society organisations in calling for a bold and transformative Social Climate Fund. The organisations stressed the importance of the fund for the EU’s social, climate and energy security goals in an open letter addressed to the negotiators of the Social Climate Fund initiative, the Czech Presidency of the European Council and European Commission Vice President Frans Timmermans.

“Climate policy goes hand in hand with energy security affordability,” explain the authors of the letter. “By investing in clean, cheap and sovereign renewable energy sources, as well as boosting energy savings, we can address all three crises at once.” Demands include a base revenue stream for the fund that scales with the carbon price, is supported by the Emissions Trading System, and can be topped up by other sources of finance including member state co-financing and contributions from windfall profit caps.

The European Commission agreed upon the creation of a Social Climate Fund in July 2021 as part of the European Green Deal’s 'fit for 55' legislative package. Negotiations on the form such a fund will take are ongoing.

Further information

Cities and towns set example in the fight against energy poverty

Fri, 30 Sep 2022 00:00:00 +0200

Frankfurt am Main, 30 September 2022. More commitment in the fight against energy poverty at all levels – Climate Alliance demands nothing less in its latest resolution, adopted yesterday at its annual general assembly. With this resolution, a network comprising almost 2,000 municipalities across Europe is directly reacting to the current energy crisis and the increasing prevalence of energy poverty.

“The protection of vulnerable low and middle-income households must be a priority if we want to ensure a just energy transition,” stresses Andreas Wolter, Climate Alliance President and Mayor of the City of Cologne. “We need to create the right national and European legal frameworks to combat energy poverty. The mandate of cities and towns to fight energy poverty must be strengthened!"

With the resolution, Climate Alliance members are demonstrating strong leader-ship in the current crisis and pursuing ambitious goals such as the eradication of energy poverty by 2050 and the consistent integration of social aspects in local energy and climate policy. Energy renovation of the building stock is cited as cen-tral to the fight against energy poverty as is the fostering of a political and financ-ing framework that promotes such renovations. In the resolution, member cities and towns thus also call for adequate support from the European and national levels.

Further information

Contact

Sarah Mekjian
Communications Director, Climate Alliance
+49 69 7171 39 -20
communications(at)climatealliance.org

_{The Climate Alliance
For over 30 years, Climate Alliance member municipalities have been acting in partnership with indigenous rainforest peoples for the benefit of the global climate. With nearly 2,000 members spread across more than 25 European countries, Climate Alliance is Europe's largest city network dedicated to comprehensive and equitable climate action. Each member city, town and district has committed itself to continually cut greenhouse gas emissions, aiming for a 95% reduction by 2050 (as compared to 1990 levels) in line with IPCC recommendations. Recognising the impact our lifestyles can have on the world's most vulnerable people and places, Climate Alliance pairs local action with global responsibility. climatealliance.org}

Tackling energy poverty in the rental sector - new recommendations available

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 00:00:00 +0200

Over the past two years, Climate Alliance, together with its ENPOR project partners, has examined the current policy landscape in Europe and conducted a carefully targeted stakeholder consultation process to develop policy recommendations for short-, medium- and long-term action to address energy poverty in the private rented sector. This process has shown that financial barriers are the most important to overcome when it comes to implementing successful measures. It was also found that while energy poverty in the private rented sector is relatively invisible, especially among low-income and vulnerable tenants and landlords, EU-level policies can play an important role in promoting targeted energy efficiency measures.

A first look on policy recommendations and possible solutions is now available.

Read more

Municipalities call for climate action to be anchored as a mandatory municipal task

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 00:00:00 +0200

Frankfurt, 14 September 2022. Today, with the support of numerous organisations including the Association of Cities and Towns of Baden-Württemberg, Germanwatch, WWF, the Deutsche Umwelthilfe and Klima-Allianz Germany, Climate Alliance presented a central demand for municipal climate action to the members of the Bundestag and the federat state governments. In a joint position paper, they call on politicians to anchor climate action as a mandatory municipal task. The demands were developed by Climate Alliance Germany, which represents more than 560 member municipalities throughout Germany (about 54% of the population). These demands come about a week after the German government published its third relief package, with measured criticised by many as insufficient in terms of climate action.

"There is no way around it: climate change mitigation and adaptation must be made mandatory municipal tasks!" explains Andreas Wolter, Climate Alliance President and Mayor of the City of Cologne. "Cities and towns are obliged to actively prevent damage to the population, which today also includes climate action measures that can only be implemented at the local level. In accordance with treaties such as the Paris Agreement, cities and towns must be provided with appropriate funds by the federal government and the states, as stipulated by law in accordance with the 'connexity' principle".

The position paper names elements crucial to the success of municipal climate action activities. These include, among others, the anchoring of climate change mitigation and adaptation as objectives of overriding public interest in all municipal areas of responsibility, the comprehensive development and implementation of ambitious climate action concepts, basic funding for investments independent of subsidies and sufficient personnel for all German municipalities. The necessary institutionalisation of climate action in German can only succeed if it is made a mandatory municipal task.

Download the position paper (in German): Executive summary | Full version

Contacts

Sarah Mekjian
Communications Director, Climate Alliance
T. +49 69 7171 39 -20
communications@climatealliance.org

Svenja Schuchmann
National Coordinator for Germany, Climate Alliance
T. +49 69 7171 39 -21
s.schuchmann@climatealliance.org

_{Climate Alliance}
^{For over 30 years, Climate Alliance member municipalities have been acting in partnership with indigenous rainforest peoples for the benefit of the global climate. With nearly 2,000 members spread across more than 25 European countries, Climate Alliance is Europe's largest city network dedicated to comprehensive and equitable climate action. Each member city, town and district has committed itself to continually cut greenhouse gas emissions, aiming for a 95% reduction by 2050 (as compared to 1990 levels) in line with IPCC recommendations. Recognising the impact our lifestyles can have on the world's most vulnerable people and places, Climate Alliance pairs local action with global responsibility. climatealliance.org}

Climate Alliance partners with the Smart City Expo World Congress

Sun, 11 Sep 2022 00:00:00 +0200

Climate Alliance has announced a new collaboration with the Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC). The event, which takes place from 15 to 17 November in Barcleona (ES), is dedicated to creating a better future for cities and their citizens. As a partner, Climate Alliance will hold a number of free exhibition passes for interested members and be able to pass on a 25% discount on all other conference and exhibition passes. This 11th edition of the SCEWC is expected to draw some 24,000 professionals from more than 700 cities to Barcelona to share their visions on building a more sustainable and liveable urban future. A digital programme featuring interviews with representatives from cities from across the globe with will also be made available for interested stakeholders, free of charge. Climate Alliance members interesting in attending the event onsite are encouraged to reach out for more information on the discounts made available via this partnership.

NetZeroCities pilot programme launched: 32 Millionen Euro in support for cities available

Mon, 05 Sep 2022 00:00:00 +0200

Today, the NetZeroCities pilot programme was launched as part of the EU Cities Mission. Cities from all over Europe can apply to become pilot cities and test out innovative approaches to reduce emissions. The idea is to work across thematic areas and break down silo thinking to advance the necessary green transformation. Selected cities receive practical support as well as comprehensive financial assistance: around 30 cities stand to receive up to 1.5 million euros.

In the selection of pilot projects, all urban areas contributing to climate neutrality will be considered including mobility; energy systems and the built environment; material and resource flows; health and wellbeing; natural areas; cultural, social, financial and institutional systems; and accessible public spaces.

The deadline for applications is 4 November 2022. Applicant cities must have at least 50,000 inhabitants. In countries with predominantly smaller cities such as Croatia, Ireland, Luxembourg, Slovenia or Slovakia, however, several cities with more than 10,000 inhabitants each may submit a joint application in order to reach the 50,000 inhabitants.

Read more

New reports put examples and tips for energy communities in the spotlight

Fri, 29 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0200

The publication "Consumer Stock Ownership Plans (CSOPs) - Financing Energy Communities" is the final report of the EU project SCORE and highlights local examples of energy communities and helpful tips developed within the project:

The first Italian hydro-power EC in Venaus practicing electricity sharing over the public grid operative as of 27 December 2021;
The conclusion of an agreement to set up a regional EC in the Susa Valley engaging 31 Municipalities with around 80,000 inhabitants and a total investment of EUR 60 MM.;
The setting up of the Prague Renewable EC on 1 October 2021, one of the largest photovoltaicprojects in the Czech Republic with a foreseen capacity of 500 MW and an investment of EUR 40 MM. stemming from an ELENA contract;
One of the first German ECs in Essen to practice electricity sharing in 2022 embracing an institution for disabled children, a public school and a sports club;
The development of an “Assisted Consumer Stock Ownership Plans” that permits the residents of homeless shelters in Słupsk, Poland, to become co-owners in RE.

As part of the SCORE project, Climate Alliance supported the idea of turning consumers into prosumers of renewable energy in three pilot regions. The project was completed at the end of 2021.

Read the final report here.

EU-wide survey maps local needs in public procurement

Wed, 27 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0200

With a new survey, the EU PROTECT project aims to gather information in order to select relevant climate services that meet the needs of the local level. Priority is given to services in five areas: Utilities, Green Communities, Circular and Bioeconomy, Land Use and Marine Environment, and Civil Security and Protection. The survey can be completed until 30 September 2022.

The new project seeks to support climate change mitigation and adaptation through innovativation procurement procedures. It specifically aims to enable public authorities from different European regions to collaborate on a joint pre-commercial procurement.

Complete the survey now!

The survey is available in the following languages: English, French, German, Spanish, Dutch, Italian and Slovenian. To the extent possible, it is recommended to discuss the questionnaire with your procurement legal expert and your technical expert in a cooperative manner.

Read more

Call for Partners: Urban Agenda for the EU Partnerships launches new themes

Wed, 20 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0200

Today, The Urban Agenda for the EU (UAEU) launched a call for partners on two new key themes: sustainable tourism and greening cities. This announcement comes after the successful conclusion of UAEU partnerships on 14 other urban themes.

Each partnership addresses urban challenges by bringing key stakeholders such as cities, national governments, NGOs, the European Commission and other EU institutions together. Selected partners get the chance to directly shape relevant policy by developing action plans to improve regulation and funding schemes relating to and targeting urban areas. They also develop knowledge together, for example by carrying out studies and sharing of good practices.

Each partnership will consist of 15 to 20 members including at least one small and one medium-sized municipality. Municipalities as well as regions, municipal consortia and umbrella organisations are among the groups encouraged to apply by 16 September 2022. The two partnerships are due to be launched in October of this year.

Learn more

The Urban Agenda for the EU (UAEU)
Further information on the call for partners
Applications: Greening Cities | Sustainable Tourism

Job offer: Adaptation Project Coordinator | Covenant of Mayors Europe

Fri, 08 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0200

The Climate Alliance European Secretariat is seeking an Adaptation Project Coordinator (Covenant of Mayors Europe) to join its highly motivated and multinational team in Brussels on a full-time basis (initial 2-year contract with possibility of extension). The candidate would be expected to start as soon as possible. We are looking for a proactive candidate with strong coordination and networking skills and a good knowledge of the functioning of the EU institutions, EU policies and EU funding programmes related to energy and climate.

Complete job description and application requirements (pdf)

We offer the following:

A full-time position in Brussels under the Belgian law
A 2-year contract (with a possibility to be extended), starting as soon as possible
A salary according to profile and experience
Other benefits: paid leave (‘pécule de vacances’), hospitalisation insurance and meal vouchers
Various training opportunities
A dynamic international team and a positive working environment
Structured teleworking conditions and flexible working time

Application:
To apply, please send a motivation letter and a CV (in Europass format, max. 3 pages) to: career(at)climatealliance.org by 24 August 2022. Please include “Job application | Adaptation Project Coordinator” in the subject line and clearly indicate possible start date and citizenship (and if non-EU, whether you are holder of a work permit for Belgium). Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.

_{ABOUT CLIMATE ALLIANCE
Climate Alliance is a non-profit association uniting local authorities and indigenous rainforest peoples in their efforts to take action on global heating. With nearly 2,000 members spread across more than 25 European countries, Climate Alliance is Europe's largest city network dedicated to comprehensive and equitable climate action. Each member city, town and district has committed itself to continually cut greenhouse gas emissions, aiming for a 95% reduction by 2050 (as compared to 1990 levels) in line with IPCC recommendations. Recognising the impact our lifestyles can have on the world's most vulnerable people and places, Climate Alliance pairs local action with global responsibility. The network runs awareness raising campaigns, develops tools for climate action planning and fosters cooperation with indigenous peoples. Additional work goes into the management of EU-funded projects as well as EU flagship initiatives such as the Covenant of Mayors – Europe, communication and policy work.}

_{ABOUT THE COVENANT OF MAYORS EUROPE}
_{The Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy - Europe brings together local authorities voluntarily committed to meeting or even exceeding the EU climate and energy objectives. Since its launch in 2008, the initiative has mobilised over 10,500 local authorities in Europe, covering roughly one third of the EU population. Signatory cities pledge action to support the EU in reaching carbon neutrality by 2050. They commit to delivering actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the given territory, increase resilience and prepare for the adverse impacts of climate change, and tackle energy poverty to ensure a just transition towards climate neutrality.}

EPAH kicks off series of guidebooks addressing energy poverty

Thu, 07 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0200

The Energy Poverty Advisory Hub (EPAH) published its first guidebook of the series “EPAH Handbooks: A Guide to Understanding and Addressing Energy Poverty”. This first guide is an introduction to the series and presents the concept of energy poverty with different approaches that can be useful for obtaining a general picture of energy poverty in your local government as well as the initial introduction to the methodology to tackle energy poverty.

Each handbook of the series will focus on one of the three main phases and provide additional practical information and concrete tools to apply. The handbooks are designed based on experiences and data collected over time and from different geographical contexts and are supported with additional material developed by EPAH.

EPAH is the leading EU initiative on energy poverty and is being coordinated by Climate Alliance. EPAH’s mission is to become the center of energy poverty experience and expertise in Europe providing direct support, online training and research to local authorities and civil society organisations and by building a collaborative network of all stakeholders interested in taking action to combat energy poverty in Europe.

Learn more

Climate Alliance calls for veto of decision about nuclear power and fossil gas as sustainable investments

Mon, 04 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0200

Climate Alliance has personally called on numerous MEPs from various political parties to vote against the EU Commission's draft to classify nuclear power and fossil gas as sustainable investments in the climate taxonomy on 6 July 2022. The network thus joins the calls of many other civil society organisations as well as the two EU technical committees (ENVI and ECON) to reject the delegated act to include nuclear power and fossil gas in the EU taxonomy.

The reasons for this include:

The classification of natural gas as sustainable is neither scientifically tenable nor in line with the EU's climate goals: large quantities of climate-damaging greenhouse gases are emitted along its extraction, transport and use. If humanity wants to achieve the Paris climate goals, no new investments in fossil energies should be made.
The classification of nuclear power as sustainable is also scientifically untenable. Even the German Federal Office for the Safety of Nuclear Waste Management (BASE) opposes the aforementioned delegated act in an expert opinion. Moreover, the construction of new nuclear power plants cannot be done in time to help Europe reduce its greenhouse gases.
The German environmental aid organisation Deutsche Umwelthilfe has provided a legal opinion proving that the inclusion of nuclear and fossil gas in the EU taxonomy would be unlawful.
Greenpeace France already published a report in May showing the lobbying links between Russian energy companies and the EU Commission in connection with the taxonomy. According to the report, Russia could earn an additional four billion euros a year through the changes to the taxonomy.The greenwashing of fossil gas and nuclear power has the potential to undermine the credibility and effectiveness of the entire EU taxonomy and weaken trust in the European Union.
Every euro invested in fossil gas and nuclear power is missing for investments in the urgently needed energy transition.

The EU Parliament's debate on the EU Commission's proposal will take place on 5 July and the vote on 6 July.

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Climate Alliance project CEESEU honoured with Emerging Europe Award

Mon, 27 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0200

The CEESEU project to promote sustainable energy in Central and Eastern Europe was awarded the best regional collaboration initiative at the Emerging Europe Awards in Brussels (BE) on 23 June. The Regional Collaboration category is open to organisations that have implemented successful projects in the emerging countries of Europe aiming at creating a shared agenda on a local, national, regional and global level, sharing knowledge, experience and best practice, smart city development and encouraging collaboration with international organisations and with other parts of the world.

CEESEU supports administrations in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) to build capacity, thereby promoting higher energy efficiency, clean energy, lower carbon emissions and better adaptability to climate change. CEESEU brings together 11 partners from 10 CEE countries. Climate Alliance is responsible for evaluating the development and implementation of SECAPs and supports training activities for local and regional authorities in CEE countries on the SECAP process.

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EU City Facility: 4th call for applications is open

Thu, 09 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0200

As of today, municipalities across Europe can apply to the European City Facility (EUCF) for the chance to receive support in developing investment concepts for local energy projects. This is the fourth and final call for applications of the EU initiative. Cities and towns can submit their applications until 30 September 2022.

The EU City Facility 4th call will support the development of 48 investment concepts, with a total budget of EUR 2,88 million. The call, open from June 9th to September 30th 2022 supports cities and local authorities by financing the development of an investment concept with a fixed grant of up to 60 000 EUR. Previous three calls of the EU City facility received more than 600 applications and the resulting 165 beneficiaries across Europe are now working on their investment concepts.

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President of Climate Alliance Hungary receives award for outstanding work

Mon, 06 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0200

On 3 June, Csaba Lajtmann, President of Climate Alliance Hungary and Programme Director of the environmental association Reflex, was awarded the Pro Natura Award for his outstanding work in the field of municipal biodiversity protection and for the renewal of the Hungarian environmental and nature conservation movement. The award was presented by András Rácz, State Secretary for Nature Conservation, and Sándor Farkas, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, at a ceremony as part of the World Environment Day programme.

At the award ceremony in Budapest, Deputy Minister Sándor Farkas said: "The Ministry of Agriculture has made it a priority to prepare existing forests to adapt to climate change and to increase the area covered with trees. Currently, 25.4% of our country is covered by forest and shrub vegetation. Under the afforestation programme, 42,000 hectares of new forests have been created in the last two years." Afforestation is supported and promoted through government programmes. Under the Climate and Nature Action Plan, for example, 680 hectares of new forest have been created so far.

In addition to Csaba Lajtmann, three other people also received the Pro Natura Award for their work in the field of environmental and climate protection:

András Ambrus, ecologist of the Fertő-Hanság National Park Directorate
Csaba Fitala, retired nature reserve warden of the Bükk National Park Directorate
Andrea Riskó, Head of the Nature Conservation Department of the Ministry of Agriculture

Read more about the award ceremony (in Hungarian).

The future is now: 10th Climate Star competition launched

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0200

Today marks the launch of the 10th Climate Star edition. With the motto The Future is now, Climate Alliance is once again looking for the best local climate action projects from across Europe that serve as inspiration and demonstrate real solutions: How can we leave our children and grandchildren a world worth living in? How do we move from talking to doing? How do we make our cities and towns more resilient? How do we secure a future worth living in?

All Climate Alliance members are invited to share their success stories and apply for the 10th Climate Star. The deadline for applications is 31 October 2022. Climate Alliance members as well as municipal networks – be it groups of municipalities or local organisations working with and for member cities and towns – can participate. Thanks to the support of the province of Lower Austria, the winners will be honoured at a festive award ceremony at Grafenegg Castle on 27 April 2023.

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Application
Competition Details

Want to learn more? Contact us at communications(at)climatealliance.org for more information.

Climate Alliance supports European campaign for more local staff in municipal climate action

Mon, 30 May 2022 00:00:00 +0200

Today, the Europe-wide campaign "More Municipal Staff for the Climate" was launched. Together with other city networks and organisations, Climate Alliance is supporting the campaign that is being lead by Energy Cities. With the campaign, the partners want to draw attention to a relevant problem in local climate action: the lack of staff for climate action work on the ground.

A key element of the campaign is a Manifesto, in which the signatories propose measures to the EU Member States and the European Commission to give the local level the human resources they need to achieve the climate goals. The four main demands include:

Financing the recruitment of municipal staff
Making jobs more appealing and supporting local pooling of expertise
Providing training and reallocation programmes
Providing a framework enabling local governments to develop their own green budget, investments, and workforce

The manifesto can be signed by towns, cities, regions and other stakeholders in local climate action.

The campaign is based, among other things, on a current study that clearly shows that the need for personnel will increase in the coming years in view of the challenges ahead and that municipalities will have to act accordingly. The campaign thus aims to draw attention to the problem and call for support at national and EU level.

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Call for cities: Cities Energy Saving Sprint to reduce energy use

Fri, 20 May 2022 00:00:00 +0200

On 19 May the Cities Energy Saving Sprint was launched. The initiative that encourages cities to take measures that will immediately reduce their energy consumption. The so-called "sprint" will last for four months and reach its finale during the European Sustainable Energy Week in September 2022. With the help of the Cities Energy Saving Toolkit and a variety of dedicated webinars, cities get inspiration for simple and quick measures that they can take to prepare for the coming winter. Interested cities can join the campaign by registering their interest.

The campaign is a joint effort of the European Commission, the European Committee of the Regions the Covenant of Mayors – Europe. As a close partner to the Committee of the Regions and driving force behind the Covenant of Mayors, Climate Alliance is supporting this campaign, which comes at a time when the need to speed up the energy transition and reduce the EU’s dependence on fossil fuel imports has become even more urgent. Cities and regions are an important partner to reduce energy consumption.

Further inspiration for concrete measures to save energy in the short, medium and long term for the building sector in particular can be found on the Passipedia database under the heading “Efficiency NOW!”. The easily implementable efficiency and sufficiency measures outlined here, curated by the Passive House Institute, are a useful resource for anyone serious about reducing their gas and oil consumption.

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Just 20 days left to apply for tailored support on adaptation activities

Thu, 12 May 2022 00:00:00 +0200

Cities and regions in Mediterranean and Eastern European countries have until 31 May to apply via the Policy Support Facility. The facility will provide 40 local and regional authorities with tailored support from national and European experts to advance global heating adaptation activities. Support will focus on one priority measure as identified by each city or region selected – whether it be to identify risks and vulnerabilities, to develop local incentives for nature-based solutions or even to perform a feasibility study for a rainwater catchment infrastructure project.

The Policy Support Facility is a new European Commission initiative under the Covenant of Mayors – Europe co-led by Climate Alliance. It aims to assist local and regional authorities in implementing adaptation strategies. Covenant signatories as well as signatories to be coming from Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain are encouraged to apply. A separate call for experts will also be open through 31 May.

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What to learn more? Contact Julie Yang at j.yang(at)climatealliance.org for further information.

Climate Alliance advocates municipal contribution to UNFCCC process before EU body

Wed, 11 May 2022 00:00:00 +0200

On 10 May Thomas Brose, Executive Director of Climate Alliance, spoke on behalf of ambitious cities and towns across Europe during an EU Committee of the Regions (CoR) stakeholder consultation on the structural inclusion of municipalities in the UN climate process. “Increasing ambition at each Climate Summit is important but also needs to be digestible at the local level,” Brose explained. “We need to avoid duplication, remove barriers and recognise local level climate action at the national level through effective consultation.” He went on to argue for the replication and integration of multi-stakeholder processes through existing platforms for a more inclusive approach and for access to information on the status of the climate process well in advance of each summit so that local authorities can actually make the meaningful impact expected of them.

Climate Alliance a member of the Local Governments and Municipal Authorities (LGMA) Constituency and has been an official observer of the UN climate process since its beginnings in 1995. The association has consistently worked to elevate both the role and contributions of local authorities and indigenous peoples in this process. In 2017, Climate Alliance officially partnered with CoR and works with this key EU assembly of regional and local representatives on topics such as energy poverty, climate adaptation and decentralised cooperation.

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Climate Alliance publishes review & outlook 2021/2022

Wed, 04 May 2022 00:00:00 +0200

The new Climate Alliance annual report is now available in its English version. With this publication, the network looks back on what Climate Alliance has achieved over the past year. Be it via events and networking opportunities, practical examples from the local level, projects and campaigns to strengthen municipal climate action or Climate Alliance’s long-standing partnership with the indigenous peoples of the Amazon basin – the association’s diverse activities are reflected in this new annual report. The document also looks to the current year, shedding light on Climate Alliance’s future plans. In addition to the activities of Climate Alliance's European Secretariat, the national coordination offices in Austria, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Hungary and Switzerland also report on their work at national level.

The annual report is now available in English and German.

Download in EN | DE

Want to learn more? Contact us at communications(at)climatealliance.org for more information.

City Cycling 2022 – Season kick-off in Greifswald, Germany

Mon, 02 May 2022 00:00:00 +0200

Greifswald/Frankfurt am Main, 2 May 2022. The 2022 edition of Climate Alliance's international City Cycling campaign launched yesterday at Greifswald’s annual bicycle festival, hosted by the local utility company. Municipal politicians and citizens can now start earning kilometres for a 21-day period in promotion of cycling.

"When it comes to climate action, the mobility sector still has a lot of catching up to do in order to achieve Germany's climate protection goals. The bicycle is an indispensable component on the way to the necessary change in transport. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, 13% of daily trips are already made by bicycle – a top figure in a nationwide comparison. Making our state even more attractive for cycling for both locals and guests and getting even more people on their bikes – that is our declared goal. That is why we are once again supporting our municipalities financially this year in their participation in City Cycling," explained Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania’s Climate Minister, Till Backhaus, in the run-up to the event.

The 2022 campaign kick-off host Greifswald is once again joining forces with its sister cities Pomerode, Brazil and Newport News, USA to take part in City Cycling this year. For Greifswald's Mayor, Dr Stefan Fassbinder, internationality is a key aspect of climate action. "In fighting the climate crisis, we can only be successful together – this applies to the local as well as the global level. We are pleased to take part in City Cycling with our sister cities. Together, we can send an important signal for a sustainable mobility transition."

For André Muno, City Cycling’s manager, it is clear that a successful change in traffic patterns requires the appropriate cycling infrastructure. The campaign is providing municipalities with the necessary data again in 2022 via the City Cycling app. "Cycling data generated via the app's tracking function is anonymised and scientifically processed to make it usable for cycling planning," Muno explains. Thanks to funding from the German Federal Ministry of Digital Affairs and Transport, municipalities throughout Germany can access this data free of charge for three years.

Last year, more than 800,000 people from 2,172 municipalities took part in City Cycling, cycling more than 160 million kilometres. Municipalities and cyclists worldwide can register for City Cycling 2022 through September.

_{City Cycling is an international campaign of the Climate Alliance and is supported by Ortlieb, ABUS, stadthelm.de, DB Connect, Busch + Müller, Paul Lange & Co., WSM and Schwalbe.}

_{In the German Federal State of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the campaign is supported by the ADFC Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the AGFK MV and the Ministry for Climate Action, Agriculture, Rural Areas and Environment.}

FURTHER INFORMATION

CONTACTS

Sebastian Reisch
CITY CYCLING Communications Manager, Climate Alliance
T. +49 69 7171 39 -76
s.reisch(at)climatealliance.org

Sarah Mekjian
Communications Director, Climate Alliance
T. +49 69 7171 39 -20
s.mekjian(at)climatealliance.org

_{CITY CYCLING
With its international City Cycling campaign, Climate Alliance invites all citizens and members of local parliaments to pedal and set an example for increased promotion of cycling. In teams, they are to collect as many bicycle kilometres as possible for their municipality on 21 consecutive days between May and September. The campaign aims to sensitise citizens to cycling in everyday life and to bring the issues of bicycle use and cycling planning more strongly into local parliaments. With the reporting platform RADar! and the project RiDE - Radverkehr in Deutschland (Cycling in Germany), which provides scientifically prepared cycling data to the participating municipalities, the campaign also includes two elements with which the cycling infrastructure can be improved in a very concrete way including the involvement of citizens. city-cycling.org}

European Commission unveils Mission Cities: 15 Climate Alliance members among the 100 selected

Thu, 28 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0200

On 28 April, the European Commission announced the 100 cities selected to participate in the so-called Cities Mission. Of the 100 cities chosen, some 15 are direct members of Climate Alliance members and two are closely associated.

“The green transition is making its way all over Europe right now. But there's always a need for trailblazers, who set themselves even higher goals. These cities are showing us the way to a healthier future,” said Commission President Ursula von der Leyen of the selected cities.

The Cities Mission will receive €360 million in EU funding over the next two years to blaze paths towards climate neutrality by 2030. The 100 selected cities to will now begin to develop plans for climate neutrality across all sectors such as energy, buildings, waste management and transport. In addition to further financing and other opportunities, they will benefit directly from tailor-made advice via a dedicated Mission Platform, run by Climate Alliance’s NetZeroCities project. NetZeroCities will also be making additional opportunities such as twinning programmes available to all cities that applied but were not selected. Some 377 cities from across Europe applied to the Mission Cities call launched in November last year.

Further information

Closing the Green Deal Gap: Survey maps local and regional perspective

Wed, 06 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0200

Municipalities from across Europe now have the opportunity to help shape the policy messages of the European Committee of the Regions, a Climate Alliance partner, through a survey aiming to take stock of the first two and a half years of the EU Green Deal. The survey focuses on how the Green Deal is perceived and implemented in EU territories, also taking into consideration the current energy crisis. It will help identify key barriers that stakeholders encounter when taking climate action and could contribute to policy recommendations for work on the Green Deal and the RePowerEU plan.

The survey is being conducted in the framework of a study on the EU Green Deal. The results will feed the political work of the European Committee of the Regions, both at EU and at global level. The survey is available in 23 languages.

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Urban Governance Atlas: Call for policy instruments supporting nature-based solutions

Mon, 04 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0200

Cities and towns can submit their local examples of nature-based policies and actions for the Urban Governance Atlas through 30 June 2022. The first database of its kind, the Atlas allows users to explore examples of nature-based solutions from across the world to inspire their own climate change efforts. The database will contain up to 250 good practice examples and policy instruments to promote nature-based solutions and thus support municipalities in becoming greener.

The Urban Governance Atlas is being developed as part of the Interlace project, which is also supported by Climate Alliance.

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Application deadline extended: Covenant of Mayors peer learning programme

Tue, 29 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0200

Cities and towns have until 15 April 2022 to apply for the Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy - Europe peer learning programme. The programme offers Covenant of Mayors signatories across Europe the opportunity to take part in exchanges that aim to increase their capacity and knowledge through tailored peer discussions to tackle their climate and energy challenges.

In 2021, the Covenant Office supported 45 cities, 6 coordinators, and 4 energy agencies. This year, the Covenant of Mayors offers four tailored programmes to respond to local needs: twinning, expert mission, peer review and technical assistance.

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Climate Alliance highlights local demands at European climate conferences

Mon, 14 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0100

From 7-8 March, two high-level climate conferences took place in Nantes (FR): the European Climate Conference of the French EU Presidency and the Climate Chance Summit Europe. There, a delegation of board members and staff represented Climate Alliance. With contributions in no less than nine official discussions, workshops and presentations, the network stressed the needs of the municipal level.

In sessions of the European Climate Conference, Climate Alliance representatives spoke on topics such as the risks of focusing too narrowly on offsetting and climate neutrality as well as the challenges of climate change adaptation in cities and towns. At the Climate Chance Summit, a special event was convened to support Ukraine, European municipalities expressed their solidarity with the country. Andreas Wolter, President of Climate Alliance and Mayor of the City of Cologne, also took part and offered his city's support. Climate Alliance organised, among other contributions, a workshop on the building sector. The network presented four concrete political recommendations on the topic of buildings, which will be handed to EU politicians along with further official conference recommendations. Climate Alliance‘s demands include:

Alleviate energy poverty for a just transition
Lower barriers to renovations to increase energy efficiency
Secure the right to energy-efficient adequate housing
Reduce energy demand, use renewables for energy autonomy

„We need financing support to set the required measures, means to ensure sector climate neutrality, financial instruments and legal instruments. Local communities must be fully equipped“, declared Andreas Wolter during the workshop. The session aimed at showcasing the importance of adapting buildings from an environmental and socio-economic perspective as well as the crucial role of municipalities in the implementation of European and national policies. The focus was on two Climate Alliance activities: the Energy Caravan as a campaign for energy-efficient retrofits and the Energy Poverty Advisory Hub (EPAH) as the leading EU initiative for local action against energy poverty.

Climate Alliance's activities were also presented in Climate Chance’s "Local Action Report 2022", which was published alongside the conference last week and is now available online. The case study of Climate Alliance member Rüsselsheim am Main, which highlights the implementation of the Energy Caravan in the Hessian city, was also included in the Climate Chance project map.

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Region of Flanders (BE) pilots innovative financing solutions

Fri, 11 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0100

Recently, three financing solutions for ambitious local climate objectives were tested in several municipalities in the region of Flanders (BE), Climate Alliance member Ghent being one of them. The solutions focused on three sectors, renovation of private buildings, energy-efficiency investments for SMEs and renovation of public buildings, and included:

A long-term loan that gives local authorities access to a personal loan for energy renovation of individual private homes and ancillary investments. A high loan amount (up to €50,000) allows for deep renovation investments and also provides the benefits of a longer loan period of (up to 20 years).
The grouping of buildings into a large portfolio in order to enable energy savings for companies as well and thus reduce the relative transaction cost as well as the performance risk, which in turn benefited the bankability of the investment project.
Identification of initiatives that can help local authorities to make public buildings climate neutral. Many local authorities indicate that available human resources are not aligned towards conducting this strategic real estate planning approach. These initiatives include: centralized tenders for supporting advisory services, one-stop-shops providing access to contractors (e.g. EPC contracts), and improved EPC contracts.

These solutions were developed and tested in the framework of the Climate Alliance project FALCO (Financing Ambitious Local Climate Objectives). The project has just ended and managed to mobilise a total investment portfolio of about €18 million with a budget of €1.7 million.

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Registration for CITY CYCLING 2022 now open

Wed, 09 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0100

Cities and towns can now register for this year’s edition of Climate Alliance’s CITY CYCLING campaign. The campaign invites local politicians and the public to cycle for their municipalities and promote cycling as well as advocate climate action. Participating municipalities choose 21 consecutive days between May and September during which the campaign is to be implemented. Last year, more than 800,000 cyclists in 2,172 municipalities across the world participated!

Learn more

Deadline extension: Call for technical assistance to tackle energy poverty

Wed, 02 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0100

Cities and towns across Europe now have two more weeks to apply for technical assistance in tackling energy poverty via the EU Energy Poverty Advisory Hub (EPAH). The call for applications promises tailor-made support from experts in the development of local measures to fight energy poverty. Applications can now be submitted until 15 March.

EPAH is the EU's leading initiative with the vision to eradicate energy poverty and accelerate the just energy transition in European municipalities. The team offers support as well as online services, such as the EPAH Atlas with inspiring examples of local action or online training on energy poverty. The first online course with information about the initiative and the topic of energy poverty is now available online.

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IPCC releases report on impacts, adaptation and vulnerability

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0100

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has released its latest report entitled “Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability” detailing an urgent need to accelerate and scale up adaptation measures. “The scientific evidence is unequivocal: climate change is a threat to human well-being and the health of the planet,” commented Hans-Otto Pörtner, co-chair of the IPCC working group that issued the report. “Any further delay in concerted global action will miss the brief, rapidly closing window to secure a liveable future. This report offers solutions to the world.”

Authored by hundreds of the world’s top climate scientists, this latest addition to the IPCC sixth assessment is a call to action. It provides a deep dive on the intensifying impacts of climate change and future risks, particularly for resource-poor countries and marginalised communities. The report also details the way forward, pointing to the climate adaptation measures that are most feasible and effective while highlighting the communities and ecosystems that are most vulnerable. Very much in line with Climate Alliance’s perspectives and work over the last years, the report not only emphases the importance of boosting adaptation to the climate crisis but also of political commitment and follow-through across all levels of government.

Some key takeaways:

Climate impacts are already more widespread and severe than expected. Impacts are magnified in cities where more than half the world’s population lives.
Every small increase in warming will result in increased risks, often causing irreversible climate change impacts.
Action on adaptation has increased but progress is uneven and we are not adapting fast enough.
There are increasing gaps between adaptation action taken and what’s needed. These gaps are largest among lower income populations.
Enhanced knowledge of impacts and risks improves responses.
Feasible solutions already exist to reduce risks to people and nature. Nature offers significant untapped potential, for example in the use of nature-based approaches as well as green and blue spaces.
There are limits to adaptation. Some impacts of climate change are already too severe to adapt to. The world needs urgent action now to address losses and damages.
Inequity, conflict and development challenges heighten vulnerability to climate risks.
There are financial constraints too: current global financial flows are insufficient and most finance targets emission reductions rather than adaptation.

Learn more

Report downloads (including the summary for policymakers and technical summary)
Press conference recording
IPCC website

_{Photo: Issy Bailey via Unsplash}

Energy Communities: New guidance for municipalities available

Thu, 10 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0100

In their pursuit of increasing the renewable energy share locally, many municipalities are increasingly recognizing and valuing the positive impact that joint citizen energy projects have on the acceptance and financing of renewables. Within the H2020 SCORE project, Climate Alliance has now published a guide for municipalities on how to set-up such co-investment projects locally. It contains useful strategies for involving citizens, attracting co-investors and outlines the role of active municipalities that aim to establish inclusive community energy projects.

The guideline is available in seven languages and can be downloaded now.

Read more

Guideline on how to set up a Consumer Stock Ownership Plan for Energy Communities: EN | DE | ES | IT | PT | PL | CZ
SCORE Project

Climate Alliance mourns former Executive Director of Climate Alliance Austria

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0100

Less than a year after Oliver Testor took over the management of Climate Alliance Austria, the network is forced to say its farewell. Testor began his work with Climate Alliance Austria at the beginning of 2021. He passed away at the young age of 59 after serious illness. In his short time with us, he proved to be a reliable, warm and committed partner who always had the best interests of the entire network in mind – in Austria and throughout Europe. We would like to thank him for his dedication on behalf of the entire Climate Alliance. We will continue to work, as was his wish, to achieve the Paris climate goals.

Read Climate Alliance Austria’s obituary (in German)

Call for technical assistance to tackle energy poverty launched

Tue, 01 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0100

As of today, the EU Energy Poverty Advisory Hub (EPAH) is giving cities and towns across Europe the chance to apply for technical assistance. The call for applications promises tailor-made support from experts in the development of local measures to fight energy poverty. Applications can be submitted until 1 March.

Numerous informational events will be held from 3 to 15 February to answer questions about the application process. As coordinator of the initiative, Climate Alliance is organising two events of its own:

On 3 February (13h CET), the team will address signatories of the Covenant of Mayors in particular | Register here
On 9 February (10 a.m. CET), the team will address German municipalities in particular | Register here

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New report on just transition and adaptation to climate change available

Wed, 26 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0100

A new report on just resilience in Europe is out now. The paper provides an overview of knowledge and practice for just transition and adaptation to climate change. The report concludes with barriers and enabling conditions for just resilience, actionable recommendations for policy-makers, adaptation planners and practitioners and identifies a number of knowledge gaps and directions for future research.

The context of the paper is European policy developments, notably the EU Green Deal and the revised EU Adaptation strategy, which stresses the importance of achieving resilience in a just and fair way in order for adaptation benefits to be shared equitably. Climate Alliance contributed to the report in the framework of ETC/CCA, the European centre for thematic of expertise in the field of adaptation, contracted by the European Energy Agency.

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Mentoring programme for deep energy retrofits open now

Mon, 24 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0100

A new mentoring programme aims to share knowledge and skills regarding the development and adaptation of One-Stop-Shops and Energy Efficiency Subscription to advance deep energy renovations of residential buildings on a regional level. Interested municipalities can apply for the mentoring programme from 24 January to 21 February.

Climate Alliance supports the programme as part of the EUROPA project. The learning programme is designed to transfer know-how from EUROPA to peers and work through potential challenges of
local context. For six months, municipalities will have the opportunity to engage with one of the EUROPA pilots and fellow mentees in an online environment. The mentoring programme also includes one in-person gathering in the mentor’s region.

On 2 February, Climate Alliance is organising an informational event to present the programme to interested municipalities and to answer questions.

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Multi-level renovation impact framework for municipalities available

Tue, 14 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0100

With the "BUILD UPON² FRAMEWORK", there is now a reference framework that supports municipalities in collecting and reviewing relevant building data in order to ultimately develop tailor-made renovation strategies. The goal is to create ecological, social and economic added value.

The tool was developed within the framework of the EU project BUILD UPON². Brian Cassidy, Senior Engineer at the Cork City Council, is taking advantage of the Framework. "Cork City Council will retrofit 2,700 social houses by 2030. The Build Upon² Framework is a fantastic opportunity to better monitor the impact of this programme on our climate targets and to exchange best practices with fellow European Local Authorities”, he comments.

With the aim of practical implementation, municipalities - including many signatories of the Covenant of Mayors - were involved in the development of the project to provide direct input and feedback.

Want to learn more? Contact Anuschka Ruge at a.ruge(at)climatealliance.org.

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Climate Alliance supported Change the Future Challenge in Belarus

Mon, 13 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0100

For the first time, two Belarusian cities - Karma and Smarhon - have held a friendly competition using Climate Alliance's Change the Future tool. The tool highlights activities that individuals - alone or in a team - can do to create a better future. For example, municipalities have the opportunity to enter into a playful competition with a partner city or neighbouring municipality. In Belarus, 60 citizens from 19 teams were part of the Change the Future Challenge and took on the various activities around a more sustainable lifestyle. The city of Karma won with over 330,000 points, but the first-time implementation of the challenge in Belarus was a great success overall for both participating cities.

Olesya Dikalova, Deputy Director for Teaching and Educational Work, Karma Regional Center for Children and Youth Creativity, commented: “It's great that so many events have been held in our city recently. I participate in them with pleasure. Such actions increase the ecological culture of our residents and instil a love for nature in our children. And I think that the improvement of the area in which we live is our direct responsibility.”

The competition took place within the framework of the support programme "Covenant of Mayors for Localisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Belarusian Cities”. Climate Alliance supports the project by organising an exchange with German municipalities and adapting and using the Change the Future tool in Belarus.

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How mobility behaviour can be changed – manual for municipalities available

Fri, 10 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0100

A new handbook reveals how to implement behaviour change measures for citizens in the mobility sector. The tool is aimed at policy makers and municipal representatives and helps them to develop and implement reward strategies and pricing schemes. The handbook takes into account all steps - from analysis to implementation and evaluation.

Climate Alliance supported the development of the measures within the framework of the Interreg project SaMBA. The project aims to trigger behavioural changes and thereby promote greater use of sustainable transport options. The handbook is now available online.

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EU Commission’s Cities Forum: Call for hosting city now open

Mon, 06 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0100

The CITIES FORUM is a biennial major event of the European Commission that brings together key urban stakeholders from European, national, regional and local levels. The next edition will take place in 2023. Interested cities can now apply to become the host city.

The CITIES FORUM is the place and the moment to discuss topics such as the role of cities in implementing the European Green Deal or EU level initiatives developed in order to support cities. The Commission's implementing Directorate-General for Regional Policy and Urban Development (DG Regio) is looking for a enthusiastic city to host and co-create the Forum. The city should provide a suitable venue, help with communication activities and ensure political participation at national level.

Interested cities can still apply until 31 January 2022 here.

Database and report on local actions to fight energy poverty now available

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0100

The newly launched online EPAH ATLAS and the report "Tackling energy poverty through local actions ‒ Inspiring cases from across Europe" now provide access to a selection of inspirational cases on energy poverty mitigation actions.

Awareness about energy poverty is growing across Europe. Different European municipalities have already started to address energy poverty by adopting a local approach that fits the needs of their communities. In this light, The Energy Poverty Advisory Hub, where Climate Alliance is the lead partner, has collected more than 200 inspirational cases during a research period that took place in 2021 aiming to inspire practitioners to tackle energy poverty at the local level.

The report displays a series of 24 cases that include national, local and international projects as well as measures. The examples are chosen to cover as many situations as possible both in regard to topic and geography and aim to inspire readers to further consult additional examples on the EPAH ATLAS. The EPAH ATLAS is an online interactive database that allows visitors to discover local and international projects as well as measures addressing energy poverty across the world.. A list of quick and advanced filters allows visitors to browse through the cases in an easy and effective way. Interested municipalities can still share their projects and measures to be added to the EPAH ATLAS at energy-poverty.ec.europa.eu/discover/epah-atlas.

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Climate Alliance mourns the death of long-time colleague Johann Kandler

Thu, 02 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0100

Johann “Hans” Kandler, a valued colleague of Climate Alliance Austria and long-time companion of our network, passed away at the end of November.

Hans Kandler called Brazil his home from 1972 to 1992, where he supported the local people, fighting for the preservation of the rainforest and the rights of the indigenous peoples. Once back in Europe, he took up work with Climate Alliance Austria from its very beginnings as an "Amazon expert" and established a successful partnership with FOIRN, the umbrella association of indigenous organisations on the Rio Negro. He has thus built a strong and stable bridge for the support of indigenous communities on the Rio Negro and for a better understanding of the role and importance of indigenous ways of life for sustainable development also outside Amazonia. In the words of Climate Alliance Austria, he was truly a “wanderer between worlds and cultures”.

He also carried the idea of a global partnership with indigenous peoples to the Austrian communities for the first time and raised awareness in numerous lectures, presentations and study tours with European delegations. The many participants of the delegation tours were inspired by the intense impressions and try to incorporate these insights into their work. The many people (adults and children) who were motivated with up-to-date and personal information during his visits to municipalities and schools are also potential multipliers.

We would like to thank him for his work on behalf of the entire Climate Alliance. We are convinced that his work will continue to be carried forward. With his death, our network has lost a committed colleague, important advocate for climate justice and long-time friend. The indigenous organisation FOIRN has also lost a good friend as well as a strong supporter for their issues. Their visits with ISA in Austria and beyond were important building blocks for strengthening the Climate Alliance partnership. Hans Kandler will be sorely missed.

Read Climate Alliance Austria’s full obituary.

Over 800,000 cycle worldwide for a better climate

Mon, 29 Nov 2021 00:00:00 +0100

Joint press release of the Berlin Senate Department for Environment, Transport and Climate Protection and Climate Alliance.

Berlin/ Frankfurt am Main, 29 November 2021. Today, the winning municipalities of the Climate Alliance’s international City Cycling campaign received accolades during a ceremony in Berlin. Berlin's Senator for Environment, Transport and Climate Protection, Regine Günther, honoured the winners both onsite with a limited number of guests in attendance due to the Corona pandemic as well as via live stream from the “Malzfabrik”. The City Cycling campaign set new records this year with 804,077 participants from 2,172 municipalities in Denmark, Germany, France, Luxembourg, Romania and the US. Between May and September, participants cycled some 160 million kilometres, avoiding over 23,000 tonnes of CO2 compared to travel by car and sending a clear signal for more climate action, cycling promotion and liveable communities.

"Year after year, the City Cycling campaign manages to motivate thousands of people to cycle – including those who may have not cycled for a long time but tend to stick with it after the campaign. This is just wonderful,” exclaimed Gün-ther. “The teams cycle with each other in friendly competition – and all cycle for a common goal: for a form of transport that is compatible with the city, protects the climate and promotes health."

André Muno, City Cycling campaign manager, stressed the importance of continuing to put the bicycle at the centre of urban planning activities: "The newly achieved records clearly show that people across the world have had enough of the status quo and are demanding a bicycle-oriented infrastructure."

Since 2008, City Cycling has been inviting municipalities, citizens and local politi-cians to get on their bikes and cover as many kilometres as possible during the campaign period. The campaign is an offer brought to the public by Climate Alli-ance, Europe’s largest city network dedicated to comprehensive and equitable climate action.

_{City Cycling is an international campaign of the Climate Alliance and is supported by the partners Ortlieb, ABUS, Busch + Müller, Stevens Bikes, MYBIKE, Paul Lange & Co, WSM and Schwalbe.}

FURTHER INFORMATION

CONTACTS

Jan Thomsen
Senate Department for the Environment, Transport and Climate Protec-tion Berlin
T. +49 30 9025-1090
jan.thomsen(at)senuvk.berlin.de

Sarah Mekjian
Communications Director,
Climate Alliance
T. +49 69 717139 -20
communications(at)climatealliance.org

André Muno
City Cycling Coordination,
Climate Alliance
T. +49 69 7171 39 -11
a.muno(at)climatealliance.org

_{CLIMATE ALLIANCE
For over 30 years, Climate Alliance member municipalities have been acting in partnership with indigenous rainforest peoples for the benefit of the global climate. With more than 1,800 members spread across 27 European countries, Climate Alliance is Europe's largest city network dedicated to comprehensive and equitable climate action. Each member city, town and district has committed itself to continually cut greenhouse gas emissions, aiming for a 95% reduction by 2050 (compared to 1990 levels) in line with IPCC recommendations. Recognising the impact our lifestyles can have on the world's most vulnerable people and places, Climate Alliance pairs local action with global responsibility. www.climatealliance.org}

Nature-based solutions in urban space: Cities can apply for Connecting Nature Roadshow

Fri, 26 Nov 2021 00:00:00 +0100

The Connecting Nature Roadshow is a mobile exhibition for city centres. It offers interactive workshops on the topic of "Nature-based solutions in cities" in four cities over a period of three days each in April 2022. The aim is to bring cities and nature closer together and to promote the implementation of nature-based solutions in urban spaces. Interested cities can now apply for the roadshow.

Also included is a Mobile Green Room®, which makes nature-based solutions in cities tangible. "In the middle of the city centre, it is an attraction for many people with its colourful vegetation. They perceive with all their senses what there is to discover inside, or simply use it as an oasis of peace," comments Sven-Oliver Knabe from the company Helix Pflanzen GmbH, manufacturer of the Mobile Green Room. "Due to the great success of its first tour in 2016, municipalities have been able to rent it since 2017." The roadshow also offers cities the opportunity to meet members of the Connecting Nature Enterprise platform and work with them to develop ideas for creating a local network. As part of the Roadshow, it´s accompanied by EM | Path, the developers of a co-created, art based engagement process. Within a workshop, the participants get the opportunity to explore their relationship with nature and to create narratives out of their reflections, which shape individual nature-based solutions in a city.

The roadshow will take place within the framework of the EU project Connecting Nature. Climate Alliance is part of the project, which aims to strengthen the resilience of municipalities with the help of nature-based solutions. Interested municipalities can apply for the roadshow until 12 January 2022.

Read more

Roadshow Application
Flyer Connecting Nature Roadshow 2022
Connecting Nature Impact Summit in Genk (28-30 April 2022)
Connecting Nature Project

EU Commission launches Call for Mission Cities

Thu, 25 Nov 2021 00:00:00 +0100

The EU Commission officially launched its Mission Cities call on 25 November with the aim of supporting at least 100 European cities to achieve ‘climate neutrality’ by 2030. Municipalities can thus now apply to become Mission Cities and thus receive full-scale, tailor-made technical, regulatory and financial advice on their ambitious climate plans.

In addition to support across a range of areas such as citizen engagement, governance, finance and systemic innovation, Mission Cities will receive preferred access to a variety of funding opportunities via EU programmes, the European Investment Bank, national banks and private investors. A smaller group of 30 Mission Cities will additionally get assistance developing their own municipal strategies via the dedicated Mission Platform.

Municipalities interested in applying must clearly state an ambition to go climate neutral by 2030 and have a at least 50,000 inhabitants (10,000 in countries with mainly smaller cities such as Croatia, Ireland, Luxembourg, Slovenia or Slovakia). The EU Commission has organised a series of three webinars from 30 November to 15 December 2021 to help applicants through the process. The call, termed the “Call for Expression of Interest”, will close on 31 January 2022 with selection of the Mission Cities taking place in April 2022. Climate Alliance is part of the NetZeroCities consortium, which is supporting the roll-out of the European Commission’s Cities Mission and charged with running the Mission Platform.

Learn more

Expressions of interest: Call page and form link
(application questionnaire will be sent to registrants)
Key resources: Factsheet, info kit and FAQ
Related events: Upcoming webinar registration and launch event recording
Cities Mission: Website

Cities mission guidance now out: Municipalities encouraged to register interest

Tue, 09 Nov 2021 00:00:00 +0100

The European Union has now issued a comprehensive informational kit to help cities prepare to take part in its new Cities Mission. The Mission aims to support at least 100 European cities to achieve 'climate neutrality' by 2030, providing full-scale tailor-made technical, regulatory and financial advice to selected cities on their way to reaching net-zero. The European Commission has earmarked some 360 million euros in funds for action linked to the Cities Mission through 2023 alone. The Mission label will thus be a gateway to funding via EU programmes but also act as a door-opener for a variety of funding opportunities via the European Investment Bank, national banks and private investors. Climate Alliance is part of the NetZeroCities consortium that is supporting the roll-out of the European Commission’s Cities Mission.

Municipalities interested in applying to become one of the 100 Mission Cities must clearly state their ambition to go climate neutral by 2030 and have at least 50,000 inhabitants (10,000 in countries with mainly smaller cities such as Croatia, Ireland, Luxembourg, Slovenia or Slovakia). The official call for applications, termed the "Call for Expression of Interest", will open later this November and close in January 2022. With this newly published informational kit, interested municipalities can already get an thorough overview of the application requirements. They can further register their interest to ensure that they are informed as soon as the official call is published.

Learn more

Info kit to help municipalities prepare for the “Cities Mission Expression of Interest”
FAQ on the Climate Neutral Cities Mission
Registration for interested municipalities
Cities mission website

UN Climate Secretariat recognises children’s dedication to act on climate

Mon, 08 Nov 2021 00:00:00 +0100

Frankfurt am Main/ Glasgow, 8 November 2021. A Climate Alliance delegation officially handed over the results of the Green Footprints campaign to UN Climate Secretariat Head Patricia Espinosa today at the UN Climate Summit in Glasgow. As COP26 was postponed in 2020, the delegation presented the collected green footprints for both this year and last.

“I'm extremely grateful for these contributions,” commented Espinosa on the children’s efforts. “This is very much in fact about their future, about the world they will be living in... I would ask the children to continue and to not give up,” she said, vowing to bring the children’s message to world leaders.

More than 350,000 children from nine European countries took part in the Green Footprints campaign over the last two years. Together, they collected more than five million green footprints by choosing climate-friendly transport, eating local and organic food and saving energy. Many educational institutions were forced to get creative in order to carry out the campaign despite the pandemic. Some teachers spontaneously cut campaign materials apart so that each child could work from home and when trips to school were far and few between, the children logged their daily lockdown walks instead.

"We are happy that so many children and educational institutions from across Europe have been part of the Green Footprints campaign over the last two years. It seems Corona made them work even harder for the good of the climate – let’s hope the politicians do the same," commented Thomas Brose, Climate Alliance Executive Director, during this year’s official handover.

Since 2002, Climate Alliance's Green Footprints campaign has been inviting children from across Europe to collect green footprints for the climate. Together with their classmates, children learn more about sustainable lifestyles and set a strong example for climate action. The campaign results are traditionally presented to the participants of the annual UN Climate Summits.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Pictures of the handover
Video of the handover (by Zeitfilm Youth4planet on Vimeo)
Green Footprints campaign results
Several demands and statements from participating children and schools (pdf)
Campaign website
Climate Alliance at COP26
This press release as PDF

CONTACTS

Sarah Mekjian, Climate Alliance
Communications Director
T. +49 69 7171 39 -20
communications(at)climatealliance.org

Claudia Schury, Climate Alliance
Green Footprints Project Head
T. +49 69 7171 39 -22
c.schury(at)climatealliance.org

_{THE GREEN FOOTPRINTS CAMPAIGN
Since 2002, Climate Alliance’s Green Footprints has been helping children across Europe learn about the influ-ences of their daily actions on the climate and encouraging them to become role models for both their parents and climate politicians. During at least a one week period, children in participating classes collect so-called ‘green footprints’ for every sustainable trip completed via public transport, bike or foot as well as for other environmen-tally-friendly habits such as sustainable nutrition. These footprints are presented to the participants and politi-cians at the UNFCCC’s annual Climate Conferences. zoom-kidsforclimate.eu

THE CLIMATE ALLIANCE
For over 30 years, Climate Alliance member municipalities have been acting in partnership with indigenous rainforest peoples for the benefit of the global climate. With more than 1,800 members spread across 27 European countries, Climate Alliance is Europe's largest city network dedicated to comprehensive and equitable climate action. Each member city, town and district has committed itself to continually cut greenhouse gas emissions, aiming for a 95% reduction by 2050 (compared to 1990 levels) in line with IPCC recommendations. Recognising the impact our lifestyles can have on the world's most vulnerable people and places, Climate Alliance pairs local action with global responsibility. climatealliance.org}

Bolivian authorities prevent COICA representative’s participation at Climate Summit

Wed, 03 Nov 2021 00:00:00 +0100

Indigenous Bolivian leader Adolfo Chávez was detained at Viru Viru international airport on Sunday, 31 October and prevented from travelling to the Climate Summit in Glasgow. There he was due to speak on the extraction of minerals, hydrocarbons and other violations affecting Bolivia's native peoples. A report by the Servindi media outlet questions the authorities’ motives, pointing to corruption and a court sentence delivered in absentia for alleged embezzlement of funds from the former Indigenous Peasant Fund. Adolfo Chavéz was later released and is currently under a restraining order preventing him from leaving Bolivia. Climate Alliance has worked with the COICA representative in the past and welcomed him as a special guest to the 2018 Climate Alliance International Conference in Barcelona.

Read more

Report by Servindi (in Spanish)

New in Climate Alliance: Highly effective campaign for energy-efficient building refurbishment

Tue, 19 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0200

The new campaign of Climate Alliance and cooperation partner fesa e.V., the Energy Caravan, is now providing answers for municipalities interested in motivating their citizens to carry out energy retrofits on their private homes. Through the Energy Caravan, cities and towns offer free energy advice in a selected neighborhood. In this way, the campaign reverses the conventional principle of energy consulting by bringing neutral and qualified energy advisors directly to the citizens.

The campaign follows a standardized approach and is carried out on the basis of blueprint working materials and implementation packages. So far, well over 100 municipalities of all sizes have been supported in order to make them fit for an independent campaign implementation. In an average of 60 percent of the consultations, energy-related renovation measures are implemented in private buildings in all areas – energy savings, energy efficiency and renewable energy production. With the Energy Caravan, municipalities have an effective approach to motivate the previously hard-to-reach target group of homeowners to modernise their energy systems.

For the Energy Caravan, Climate Alliance cooperates with the non-profit association fesa e.V. Currently, the campaign materials and the experiences for knowledge transfer to municipalities are focused on Germany. But together, the two cooperation partners want to make this successful campaign available to municipalities from across Europe in the future.

Are you interested in the Energy Caravan? Contact Jan Schwarz at j.schwarz(at)climatealliance.org for more information.

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Survey results reveal municipal needs on the topic of buildings & retrofits

Fri, 15 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0200

Municipalities are in need for energy consulting, professional development and information on optimal timing of retrofitting measures as well as an exchange on goal setting, economically viable retrofitting solutions and principles – these are the key findings of a Climate Alliance survey. This summer, the network called on its members from across Europe to take part in a survey on the topic of buildings and retrofits in order to share their needs and perspectives.

Climate Alliance conducted the survey in order to help design a working group on buildings for municipal representatives. The working group will establish a platform for interested municipal representatives to exchange with one another and with experts on the critical topic of energy use in buildings. Climate Alliance’s new working group on buildings is due to have its first meeting this November.

Climate Alliance implemented the survey in cooperation with the EU project outPHit. The outPHit consortium develops solutions for cheaper, faster and more reliable retrofits.

Read more

_{Photo: Dylan Gilis via Unsplash}

Franco-German climate action partnership: citizens identify urban heat and cool islands

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0200

At the beginning of October, a delegation from Climate Alliance member Worms visited its French partner city Eurométropole Metz to jointly present the results of citizen participation in mapping perceived urban heat and cool islands in both cities. The mapping of the two cities revealed many similarities: public squares, streets and car parks heat up more quickly in the summer. Citizens avoid staying there due to a lack of shade and ventilation as well as heated surfaces. On the contrary, the cool islands provide shade through trees, cool air through evaporation, proximity to water as well as good ventilation and seating opportunities.

The results also show that it is important to prioritise the following three approaches in order to reduce heat: Green structures through vegetation or trees, white structures through light and radiating surfaces and blue structures through the proximity of flowing water.

The project was implemented with the financial support of the Franco-German Citizen Fund. Since 2016, the cities of Worms and the Eurométropole Metz have been cooperating on the topics of climate action and adaptation. Supported by the TANDEM project, which is coordinated by Climate Alliance and Energy Cities, both cities have already carried out a variety of successful actions within the framework of this cross-border climate action partnership.

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_{Photo: Murielle Bosch}

European City Facility to open its 3rd call for applications

Wed, 06 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0200

The European City Facility (EUCF), an initiative that supports cities and municipalities with developing investment concepts and finding investors for their sustainable energy projects, is now launching its 3rd call for applications. Local authorities from across Europe (cities and municipalities) can apply for EUCF’s support from October 15th to December 17th 2021. The 3rd Call will provide funding for 68 cities or municipalities spread all over Europe. The total budget available for the call is 4,08 M EUR.

With a funding of up to €60,000 per beneficiary, as well as additional support services, the EUCF aims to unlock investments in sustainable energy projects, which are crucial for the implementation of cities’ local energy and climate action plans. More than 250 applications from across Europe came through the first call for applications in 2020. Out of these 69 received funding. The 2nd call, which closed in May this year, received 221 applications and resulted in 68 selected applicants. The cities from the first call are already developing their project investment concepts (due in spring 2022), while the cities from the 2nd round will soon start working on theirs.

Climate Alliance members can find out more about the 3rd Call by attending the EUCF Launch event in English on 14 October or the German 3rd Call Launch event to take place on 19 of October.

Read more

_{Photo: Jacek Dylag via Unsplash}

Climate Alliance project is REGIOSTARS Award finalist

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 00:00:00 +0200

The EU-funded project Renewable Energy Regions (RegEnergy) is a finalist in the category Green Europe at this year's REGIOSTARS Awards. The project will be judged in the final round by a panel of experts and the public. On 2 December, the winners will be awarded at a festive ceremony. Interested stakeholders can vote for their favourite project at regiostarsawards.eu.

Climate Alliance is working as a lead partner with eight other project partners for RegEnergy. The project aims to increase the share of renewable energy by creating supply and demand partnerships for renewable energy between urban and surrounding rural areas in North West Europe.

The REGIOSTARS Award is a competition organised annually since 2008 by the EU Commission's Directorate-General for Regional Policy and Urban Development. It has become the European seal of approval for EU-funded projects that demonstrate innovative and inclusive approaches to regional development.

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_{Photo: Infrastruktur & Umwelt}

Europe's largest city network backs more ambitious climate action

Thu, 09 Sep 2021 00:00:00 +0200

Frankfurt am Main, 9 September 2021. Municipalities from across Europe have renewed and reaffirmed their commitment to ambitious climate action at the local level. Climate Alliance members adopted the city network’s new charter yesterday at their annual general assembly. The charter shows how equitable climate protection must look on the local level. It also opens up a target range with which municipalities can aim for more ambitious emissions reductions in the future.

"Be it flood disasters, extreme heat or the latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) – the events of recent months have made it clear how important ambitious climate action is. Acting now is essential, but what that action looks like is at least as important. The adoption of the charter is a milestone for our network and a big step towards the future", comments Andreas Wolter, President of Climate Alliance and Mayor of the City of Cologne, Germany.

The member charter points out the importance of asking how we should fight global heating. From climate neutrality to 100% renewable energy to the intro-duction of a carbon price – with the charter, Climate Alliance provides its mem-bers with concrete recommendations for the promotion of a sustainable and just transformation at the local level.

Climate Alliance has been committed to local climate action for more than 30 years. With over 1,800 members, it is the largest European network of municipalities committed to comprehensive and equitable climate action, paring local approaches with global responsibility.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Climate Alliance Charter (DE | EN)
FAQs (DE | EN)
Climate Alliance Principles
Press Release as a PDF

CONTACT
Sarah Mekjian, Climate Alliance Communications Director
+49 69 7171 39 -20
communications(at)climatealliance.org

_{THE CLIMATE ALLIANCE
For over 30 years, Climate Alliance member municipalities have been acting in partnership with indigenous rainforest peoples for the benefit of the global climate. With more than 1,800 members spread across 27 European countries, Climate Alliance is the world’s largest city network dedicated to climate action and the only one to set tangible targets: each member city, town and district has committed itself to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by ten percent every five years. Recognising the impact our lifestyles can have on the world's most vulnerable people and places, Climate Alliance pairs local action with global responsibility. climatealliance.org}

_{Photo: Climate Alliance}

First Italian diocese becomes a member of Climate Alliance

Fri, 03 Sep 2021 00:00:00 +0200

In the Pastoral Centre of Bolzano, on 31 August, Bishop Ivo Muser signed the accession of the Diocese of Bolzano-Bressanone to Climate Alliance. This makes the Bolzano-Bressanone diocese the first Italian diocese in the network. In the presence of the National Coordinator of Climate Alliance Italy, Karl-Ludwig Schibel, and the Executive Director of the Organisation for a World in Solidarity, Matthäus Kircher, the diocesan economist Franz Kripp and the head of the Office for Dialogue Martin Pezzei outlined the diocese's commitment to protection and the guidelines for the responsible use of creation, as well as some concrete measures taken in recent years.

"It is a great pleasure for us," said Karl-Ludwig Schibel, "that the diocese has decided to continue its activities for ecological conversion in matters of climate protection together with Climate Alliance. We are happy to have a strong partner to bring the issue of climate responsibility for creation to life in the everyday life of the faithful and all people of good ecological will in South Tyrol and beyond."

"Climate change does not come from outside, we are all involved," Bishop Muser underlined. "What can we do? What should we do, what must we do? The biggest mistake would be to resign and do nothing!" Before signing the formal declaration of membership, the bishop reiterated the diocese's agreement to the voluntary commitments as a member of the European Climate Alliance. He said it was important to take small concrete steps to achieve more eco-social justice.

Read more about Climate Alliance Italy

Covenant of Mayors extends "City in the Spotlight Award" deadline to 3 September

Fri, 20 Aug 2021 00:00:00 +0200

Municipalties now have an extra two weeks to sumbit their applications for this year’s Covenant of Mayors Awards. The award will showcase the local climate action of cities and towns in three categories according to number of inhabitants. This year, the chances for smaller municpalities applying with with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants are particularly good.

The 2021 City in the Spotlight Award is open to all Covenant of Mayors – Europe signatories that have committed to the 2030 mitigation and adaptation targets. Signatories to the 2020 commitments may apply as long as they renew their Covenant of Mayors Ambition by 1 October 2021. Climate Alliance is calling on members that are also Covenant of Mayors signatories to apply for the award and thus set an example for other local authorities across Europe.

The winners will be announced in the Covenant of Mayors Ceremony on 7 October 2021. Applications can now be submitted through 3 September.

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_{Photo: Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy - Europe}

International Indigenous Peoples Day: Rainforest still stores CO2 in indigenous territories

Mon, 09 Aug 2021 00:00:00 +0200

A new study shows that the Amazon rainforest is losing its function as a carbon sink and increasingly becoming a source of emissions. The study, published in Nature, confirms a development that earlier data analyses had also made clear. Yet indigenous territories in the Amazon rainforest suffer almost no carbon losses. This is shown by a study, published in PNAS, of the Amazonian civil society and the umbrella organisation of indigenous organisations of the Amazon basin (COICA). Taken together, the studies confirm the crucial role of indigenous peoples as guardians of forests and the climate.

The studies also confirm the approach of Climate Alliance, which has been promoting the importance of indigenous peoples as key actors in a global climate strategy for more than 30 years. The cities and towns of Climate Alliance already support the political involvement of indigenous peoples in international processes through their membership. Many municipalities also provide additional support for indigenous peoples, for example through Climate Alliance funds or in the form of partnerships. The network is currently developing offers for members that focus on climate impact costs as an effective alternative to the classic compensation approach.

A detailed column with further information on study data as well as Climate Alliance's offers is now available online.

Read more

_{Photo: Unsplash}

CITY CYCLING 2021 sets new records

Thu, 05 Aug 2021 00:00:00 +0200

This year's edition of the world's largest cycling campaign has just reached halftime and CITY CYCLING continues to be a great success. With new record figures, the campaign has already surpassed the numbers of the last years: More than 550,000 cyclists and 11,000 participating parliamentarians have cycled in 2021 so far. More than 2,100 municipalities have already registered. CITY CYCLING is also on the road to success internationally. This year, participants from Romania, the USA and Denmark are taking part for the first time.

Since 2008, CITY CYCLING has invited local politicians and citizens to cycle together for 21 days between May and September and thus set an example for increased promotion of cycling. This year, interested municipalities have until 9 September to register and take part in CITY CYCLING 2021.

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_{Photo: Climate Alliance/ CITY CYCLING}

Survey maps energy poverty projects and measures across the globe

Fri, 30 Jul 2021 00:00:00 +0200

The EU Energy Poverty Advisory Hub (EPAH) is currently aiming to develop a complete database on energy poverty related projects and measures open and accessible to all. Therefore, EPAH has launched a survey to collect and review according projects and measures implemented/ targeted at the local scale connected to energy poverty. Municipalities and any other interested stakeholders are called upon to contribute to this work by directly submitting projects and measures they might know or have taken part in through the aforementioned survey or sharing this request with local contacts. The results of the review will be available in a global online atlas on the upcoming EPAH website and a selection of 24 inspiring case studies report, translated into all EU official languages, will serve as examples for new projects at the local scale.

This review is a collaborative effort between EPAH, local support organisations and local energy poverty experts. Climate Alliance is coordinating the EPAH consortium and the project is supported by DG Energy of the European Commission. EPAH, the EU leading initiative on local action against energy poverty, started in January 2021 and will last for 4 years, following up the work done under EPOV – the EU Energy Poverty Observatory.

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Want to learn more? Contact the EPAH helpdesk at info(at)energypoverty.eu for more information.

_{Photo: Unsplash}

Convent of Mayors Awards “City in the Spotlight” launched

Thu, 08 Jul 2021 00:00:00 +0200

The call for applications for this year’s Covenant of Mayors Awards is officially open. This award is a great way to showcase local climate action, the progress made and become a reference example for other local authorities.

The 2021 City in the Spotlight Award is open to all Covenant of Mayors – Europe signatories, who have committed to the 2030 mitigation and adaptation targets. However, 2020 signatories can still apply, under the condition that they renew their Covenant of Mayors Ambition before 1 October 2021. Climate Alliance members that are also Covenant of Mayors signatories are also called upon to apply for the award.

Winner will be announced in the Covenant of Mayors Ceremony on 7 October 2021. Applications can be submitted by 16 August.

Read more

_{Photo: Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy - Europe}

Higher ambitions for Renewable Energy Directive – Climate Alliance co-signs open letter

Thu, 10 Jun 2021 00:00:00 +0200

Together with nine other stakeholders and city networks, Climate Alliance now co-signed an open letter to the Frans Timmermanns, Vice President of the EU Commission, and Kadri Simson, European Comissioner for Energy. The occasion for the letter is the publication of the “Fit for 55” legislative package by the EU Commission. It provides for a revision of the legislative framework of EU climate policy and therefore also includes a revision of the EU Renewable Energy Directive.

The letters calls for higher ambitions with regards to the Renewable Energy Directive (RED):

Higher renewable energy target
National binding targets
Keeping the RED for renewable energies

Renewable energies play an important role in the transformation process. In order to limit climate change, more ambitious climate and energy targets are necessary. With this letter, key actors in Europe are calling upon the EU Comission for more ambition and emphasising key elements for a solid policy framework to increase the use of renewable energy in the future.

Learn more

Open Letter – call for higher ambitions for Renewable Energy Directive, June 2021

Climate Alliance campaign sets new record: 2,000 municipalities registered for CITY CYCLING 2021

Wed, 09 Jun 2021 00:00:00 +0200

The world’s largest cycling campaign has reached a new milestone. 2,000 municipalities have registered for CITY CYCLING 2021 – more than ever before! A great success for the Climate Alliance campaign, which since 2008 has been inviting cities and municipalities to cycle together to compete while setting an example and promoting cycling for climate protection and increased quality of life.

Since 1 May, local politicians and the public pedal together, competing for 21 days between May and September. Municipalities and cyclists worldwide can register for CITY CYCLING 2021 through September.

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Calculator for economic feasibility of renewable energy investments available

Tue, 08 Jun 2021 00:00:00 +0200

When consumers wish to take an active part in the production of renewable energies, they face the financial hurdle of the cost of assessing the feasibility of co-ownership projects in their communities. That’s why the new CSOP (Consumer Stock Ownership Plan) Calculator was developed. The tool is a financial model that enables consumers to acquire a share in an RE installation that supplies them, thus making them prosumers. It also permits co-investments of municipalities and small and medium-sized enterprises, making it a valuable financing tool for the local energy transition for Climate Alliance members.

The calculator is an open, interactive, online tool which provides consumers and municipalities actively involved in the energy transition and stakeholders without specific expertise and technological know-how (i.e. local authorities, individuals, consumer associations, micro-enterprises, etc.) with a preliminary assessment of their RE prosumer investments. Proposing an intuitive usage, the CSOP calculator simulates different scenarios and economic feasibility, providing a range of data relating to operating costs, cash flows, credit repayments, tax burden, and financial ratios (also available in the form of figures).

The tool was developed within the Climate Alliance project SCORE – Supporting Consumer Ownership in Renewable Energies. Interested municipalities and other stakeholders can now freely access the tool.

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Want to learn more? Contact Andrea Carosi at a.carosi(at)climatealliance.org for more information.

Climate Alliance annual report now available online

Tue, 11 May 2021 00:00:00 +0200

Climate Alliance has now published the annual report and outlook for 2020/2021. The report looks back at the year 2020 and informs about future perspectives of the network. It gives a comprehensive insight into the wide range of Climate Alliance’s work – from European projects to network events and networking offers to instruments and campaigns for local climate action, climate justice and advocacy on EU-level.

In addition to the activities of the European Secretariat of Climate Alliance, the national coordinations in Austria, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg and Switzerland also report on their work at national level.

The annual report is now available online in English and German.

English | German

Want to learn more? Contact us at communications(at)klimabuendnis.org for more information.

World's largest cycling campaign enters the next round

Thu, 29 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0200

Frankfurt, 29 April 2021. The 2021 edition of Climate Alliance's City Cycling campaign launches on 1 May.

More than 1,600 municipalities from five nations have already registered for the world's largest cycling campaign – a new record. Cities from Denmark and the USA are taking part for the first time. "City Cycling is a great opportunity to take advantage of the enthusiasm surrounding cycling to covert even more people into dedicated, regular cyclists in the long term. We are therefore pleased that more and more municipalities, especially international ones, are taking part in the campaign," comments André Muno of Climate Alliance. Since the Corona crisis, the cycling trend has gained additional momentum worldwide and the topic is now on the agenda of many local governments.

In the City Cycling competition, local politicians and the public pedal together, competing for 21 days between May and September. In doing so, they can experience the advantages of cycling first hand while setting an example and promoting cycling for climate protection and increased quality of life. More than 545,000 people from 1,482 municipalities followed the call last year, covering more than 115 million kilometres by bicycle.

Municipalities and cyclists worldwide can register for the City Cycling 2021 through September.

_{City Cycling is an international Climate Alliance campaign and is supported by Ortlieb, ABUS, Busch + Müller, Stevens Bikes, MYBIKE, Paul Lange & Co, WSM and Schwalbe.}

FURTHER INFORMATION

CONTACTS

André Muno
City Cycling Coordination, Climate Alliance
T. +49 69 717139-11 | a.muno @climatealliance.org

Sebastian Reisch
City Cycling Communication, Climate Alliance
T. +49 69 717139-76 | s.reisch @climatealliance.org

Sarah Mekjian
Communications Director, Climate Alliance
communications(at)climatealliance.org

_{CITY CYCLING
The international CITY CYCLING campaign by Climate Alliance invites members of municipal parliaments to get on their bikes, become climate action role models and promote cycling. They team up with citizens to cycle as many kilometres as possible for their municipality on 21 consecutive days between May and September. The campaign aims to sensitise people to cycling in everyday life and to boost awareness for bicycle traffic planning in municipal parliaments. With the reporting platform RADar! and validated cycling data that can be made available to participating municipalities, the campaign also includes two elements with which cycling infrastructure can be improved in a very concrete and participatory way. city-cycling.org}

European Mayors step up climate ambition with new Covenant of Mayors commitments

Mon, 26 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0200

On April 21, Covenant of Mayors – Europe officially launched a set of new commitments. Mayors and local leaders from the Covenant Political Board officially endorsed the commitments during an online ceremony. A well-attended informational session organised by Climate Alliance immediately after the ceremony delved into further into key aspects of the newly launched vision, featuring speakers from the European Commission, signatories such as the City of Barcelona and members of the Covenant of Mayors – Europe office. Climate Alliance has been instrumental throughout the development of the Covenant of Mayors as a movement as well as these in the shaping of its renewed commitments.

The update of Covenant of Mayors – Europe commitments was based partially on a survey of local authorities’ views and spurred on by European Union's new climate targets as laid out in its Green Deal. These renewed ambitions reflect local leaders' commitment to a climate and energy transition that is fair, inclusive – respectful of the world’s citizens and of our planet’s resources. Beyond the objective of reaching climate neutrality by 2050, signatories to the new commitments also vow to strengthen efforts on adaptation to climate change and on alleviating energy poverty through a just transition. They further commit to engaging their citizens, businesses and local stakeholders in the transition, thus contributing to the European Climate Pact, an EU-wide initiative fostering participatory climate action towards a greener Europe. Local leaders are now being invited to endorse the renewed Covenant ambitions by presenting the 2050 commitment document to their local council for formal approval.

Further information

The Covenant of Mayors new 2050 commitments (available in all official EU languages)
FAQ (pdf; see pages 8 – 10 on renewing the Covenant commitments)
Info session led by Climate Alliance (video)
Info session presentations (pdf)
High level session (video)
Message from the EU Commissioner for Energy (video)
Mayor's call to action (video)
Covenant of Mayors – Europe survey
EU Green Deal

Want to learn more? Contact Lucie Blondel at l.blondel(at)climatealliance.org for more information.

Climate Alliance honours local climate action projects from across Europe

Thu, 22 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0200

Frankfurt am Main, Germany, 22 April 2021. Today Climate Alliance bestowed the Climate Star award upon 16 cities and towns from seven countries for their outstanding success stories of local climate action during a digital award ceremo-ny. This year’s winning projects come from Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Austria, Romania, Switzerland and Hungary. Each exemplifies the motto of this year’s competition: “We are change – success stories in local climate action”.

“The winning projects from across Europe highlight just how active and creative cities and towns are in their local climate protection efforts and what the local level is capable of. We congratulate all the Climate Star winners and wish both them and each of us continued success in local climate action”, commented Thomas Brose, Executive Director of Climate Alliance European Secretariat.

The winning projects convinced the international jury with a wide range of ideas: Ambitious climate and energy plans, a self-sufficient energy supply, attention-grabbing competitions for more sustainability in everyday life, innovative ideas for involving citizens in local climate action and creative approaches on how to save resources and reuse products. While the initiatives awarded were diverse, each Climate Star winner exemplified ambitious goals in support of heightened local climate action.

FURTHER INFORMATION

CONTACT
Helena Daum, Climate Alliance
T. +49 69 7171 39 -0
communications(at)climatealliance.org

_{THE CLIMATE ALLIANCE
For over 30 years, Climate Alliance member municipalities have been acting in partnership with indigenous rainforest peoples for the benefit of the global climate. With more than 1,800 members spread across 27 European countries, Climate Alliance is the world’s largest city network dedicated to climate action and the only one to set tangible targets: each member city, town and district has committed itself to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by ten percent every five years. Recognising the impact our lifestyles can have on the world's most vulnerable people and places, Climate Alliance pairs local action with global responsibility. climatealliance.org}

Energy vulnerability counselling services – municipalities can share their views with new survey

Fri, 16 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0200

A new survey captures the needs and experience of municipalities regarding energy poverty and counselling services for citizens. Energy poverty – a situation where a household cannot meet its domestic energy needs – is poorly understood in relation to the private rented sector and is a topic that presents a real problem for municipalities in several EU countries, while it has been a not much known topic in others.

Climate Alliance is supporting the scalability study of the ASSIST Model – an established and tested model for all entities providing an Integrated Contact Point (a home energy advisor or a group of advisors) to citizens facing energy vulnerability issues.

This survey is addressed to all municipalties that already offer similar services to citizens or are planning to set up such counselling services in the future. Local authorities are invited to complete the survey and share their views on the topic of energy poverty and their experiences. The survey is now available online and can be completed by 5 May.

Complete the survey now

You want to learn more? Contact Eva Suba at e.suba(at)climatealliance.org for more information.

German Parliament ratifies ILO Convention on the Protection of Indigenous Peoples

Fri, 16 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0200

On 15 April, the German Bundestag finally ratified the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention No. 169 on the Protection of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Convention guarantees indigenous peoples the right to preserve their cultural identity and to participate in national decision-making processes as well as to land and resources.

Germany's move makes it the 24th country worldwide to have passed the convention and follows on Luxembourg ratification in 2018. Climate Alliance and its indigenous partners have been campaigning for the signing of this Convention for many years in several countries. In Germany, the network is part of the ILO 169 Coordination Group, which sees the Convention as a crucial step towards strengthening the rights of indigenous peoples.

"Through the destruction of the rainforest, indigenous peoples, the defenders of the forest, are exposed to multiple dangers that affect the climate on a regional and global level," explains Harol Rincón Ipuchima, Vice-President of Climate Alliance and Climate Coordinator of COICA, the umbrella organisation of indigenous organisations in the Amazon Basin. The territories of indigenous peoples and their traditional knowledge are of global importance for the preservation of biological and cultural diversity. The ILO Convention 169 is the only legally binding international instrument to protect the rights of indigenous peoples.

Learn more

Indigenous peoples of the Amazon basin declare state of emergency for human rights

Thu, 15 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0200

Yesterday, Climate Alliance’s partner organisation COICA, umbrella organisation of the indigenous organisations of the Amazon Basin, has declared a state of emergency for human rights and indigenous human rights defenders in the Amazon at a press conference. The systematic violation of human rights, criminalisation and threats to indigenous activists have been exacerbated by the pandemic. In 2020, over 220 people have been murdered in Colombia, Brazil, Peru and Bolivia. The pressure on the rainforest and their territories is growing: in 2020 alone, 2.3 million hectares of rainforest were destroyed in Amazonia. This represents a 17% increase over the previous year and the third highest total annual loss since 2000.

Since Climate Alliance’s founding, COICA has been one of the most important cooperation partners of our network. Aiming to support the indigenous peoples in their fight for legal recognition and the protection of their territories, Climate Alliance closely cooperates with COICA and its member organisations.

Read more

Optimal use of photovoltaic systems – new calculator tool now available

Wed, 14 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0200

The new tool, the Optimal Sizing Calculator, finds the optimal size of a photovoltaic system (PV) and a batter energy storage system (BESS) in order to maximise the contributions while minimising the price of the installations. Optimal parameterisation of a photovoltaic (PV) and a battery energy storage system (BESS) is supporting the customer to save costs and be more environmental friendly at the same time.

The calculator uses typical yearly consumption profiles of a variety of consumers. But users can also use their own consumption profile to calculate their optimal parameters more accurately.

Climate Alliance is promoting the new calculator as part of the Interreg project Store4HUC that aims at improving territorially based low-carbon energy planning strategies.

Learn more

Climate Alliance emphasises fundamental role of local level in recovery efforts

Wed, 07 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0200

30 April is the date to keep well in mind: being the deadline for submission of the Member States’ Resilience and Recovery Plans to the European Commission. Climate Alliance believes that it paramount to involve cities and local authorities in the drafting of the Recovery Plans, and harness the opportunity to engage in an open dialogue on the green and digital projects foreseen for the recovery of our citizens, businesses and cities.

However, according to a is recent Committee of the Regions and CEMR’s joint consultation, ‘only a minority of Member States consult their local and regional authorities in the preparation of the national Recovery and Resilience Plans and that an even smaller number actually takes on their input.‘ This is for many reasons – and it risks jeopardizing the added value that cities can offer to the recovery and the Green Deal.

In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic kicked-in in Europe. We are one year down the line, and many people have found themselves suffering from having lost their jobs or for the economic punches their businesses received. Some are on the road to recovery. At this stage, one of the main objectives is to ensure that the multi-billion Recovery fund available from the European Union are put to the best use for citizens and businesses across Europe. Local leaders and Mayors are the ones in charge of implementing projects on the ground, and the first to be involved in this important mission.

Read more

EU Recovery and Resilience Facility

Deadline extended: Photo and video competition on the future of Alpine mobility

Wed, 31 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0200

Citizens from the Alpine region are called upon to share their visions of sustainable mobility in the Alps and participate in the SaMBA competition by sending in their photo or video contribution. The most outstanding contribution will be awarded with a trip to Turin, Italy. The winner will also attend the final conference of the SaMBA project. The conference will take place in cooperation with the CinemAmbiente Film Festival (5 and 6 October 2021), where the winner will be announced. The original deadline for contributions has been extended until 31 March 2021.

Climate Alliance launches this competition as part of the SaMBA project consortium. The Interreg project researches and tests sustainable mobility behaviour in the Alpine region and wants to use this competition to draw the attention to existing best case examples and future visions. Videos with a maximum length of one minute and photos with a description can be submitted in English, Italian, German, French and Slovenian at samba(at)climatealliance.org.

Read more

Competition details (pdf)
SaMBA project

European City Facility kicks off second call with increased resources

Mon, 29 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0200

As of today, the European City Facility (EUCF) launches its second call for applications. Local authorities from across Europe can now apply for EUCF’s support until 31 May 2021. With increased resources and a broadening of eligibility criteria, additional applications will now be approved under the second call.

The EUCF supports municipalities with the development of investment concepts. With a funding amount of €60,000 as well as additional support offers, the EUCF is aiming at unlocking investments in sustainable energy projects, leading to accelerated implementation of local energy and climate action plans. More than 250 applications from across Europea were received in the first call for applications in 2020.

Read more

UN report confirms: indigenous peoples are key in fighting climate crisis

Fri, 26 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0100

A newly published report from the UN now states that indigenous peoples are the best guardians of the forests. According to the report, deforestation rates are significantly lower in their territories than elsewhere. The UN report also says that recognising the rights of indigenous peoples to their territories is more relevant than ever.

The report was released by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the Fund for the Development of Indigenous Peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean (FILAC) and shows for the first time just how important indigenous peoples are for the protection of the forests and therefore in the fight against climate change.

These findings reaffirm Climate Alliance’s principles and the network’s long-standing indigenous cooperation. Strong global partnerships are crucial to fight climate change and promote climate justice. Climate Alliance and its members support its indigenous partners in the Amazon basin to help them to fight for their rights and protect their territories.

Read more

Climate Alliance Luxembourg calls for a stop of the EU-Mercosur Agreement

Wed, 24 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0100

Climate Alliance Luxembourg, together with committed Luxembourg municipalities, now called on the government to veto the agreement. Back in November 2020, Climate Alliance Luxembourg adopted the resolution of the European Secretariat of Climate Alliance against the EU-Mercosur Agreement. Since then, many Luxembourg municipalities have voted in favour of the resolution, for the most part even unanimously: Sandweiler, Roeser, Tandel, Feulen, Differdange, Schifflange, Betzdorf, Lorentzweiler, Esch-Alzette, Contern, Kehlen, Mertzig, Steinfort, Dudelange and Steinsel.

This way, Climate Alliance Luxembourg is supporting developments at the European level against the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement. Earlier this week, the European Ombudsman also accused the EU Commission of maladministration. Negotiations on the EU-Mercosur agreement were concluded at a time when the Sustainability Impact Assessment was not yet available and thus could not be included in the decision-making process.

Read more

First report on energy poverty in the private rented sector in Europe published

Tue, 23 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0100

Energy poverty is increasing in the European private rented sector. This states the first and newly published report and related analysis in the topic of energy poverty in the private rented sector. Research has found that energy efficiency policies are often poorly targeted and do not account for the profile and needs of vulnerable households. Many energy efficiency policies can reinforce existing social and systematic inequalities, conflicts and injustices. Barriers and drivers associated with efficiency retrofits span financial, regulatory, and environmental domains. General challenges include high rent-income ratios, poor quality accommodation, overcrowding, and difficult tenant-landlord relations.

Dedicated actions also by municipalities are needed that actively contribute to alleviating energy poverty by identifying energy-poor tenants (and respective homeowners) as well as understanding and addressing their needs.

Climate Alliance is part of the ENPOR project to reduce energy poverty in the private rented sector, within which the report was developed. It is now available online.

Read more

Indigenous leaders murdered in Peru

Mon, 08 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0100

Once again, two indigenous activists have been murdered in the Amazon region. According to a report in the Peruvian newspaper „La República“, Herasmo García and Yeser Ríos from the indigenous peoples of the Cacataibo have been killed in connection with land conflicts.

These murders affect a region where Climate Alliance supports the organisation FECONAU, the Federation of Indigenous Communities of the Ucayali. The organisation has been fighting against the illegal expansion of palm oil plnatations in their areas for many years. The activists are regularly confronted with threats, as was the case recently with Miguel Guimaraes. He and his family was able to be brought to a safe place thanks to numerous Climate Alliance member donations and other financial resources in late 2020.

Learn more

Local examples wanted – UN Global Climate Action Award launched

Mon, 01 Mar 2021 11:00:00 +0100

The United Nation is inviting cities, organisations, schools and others to participate in its new edition of the Global Climate Action Awards UN Climate award. The Award showcases people and projects taking bold and effective action to fight climate change. The selected activities will be recognised for their innovative and scalable quality and celebrated at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 26) in November 2021.

Selected projects will also receive a wide range of benefits, including public recognition by the UN Climate Change secretariat, attendance at COP 26, promotional videos/ photography and a dedicated page on the UN website.

The award aims to recognise climate action that is already achieving real results inthe following three categories:

Climate Neutral Now
Climate Leaders
Financing for Climate Friendly Investment

Completed applications must be submitted by 30 April 2021. To apply, you will need to first register on the UN application portal.

Learn more

Local commitment for more ambitious climate action – Climate Alliance signs Paris Declaration

Thu, 25 Feb 2021 00:00:00 +0100

Climate Alliance has now signed the 2020 Paris Declaration in support of committed local climate action. The Paris Declaration was launched on 11 December 2020 by Mayor Anne Hidalgo of Paris, Mayor Eric Garcetti of Los Angeles, CEMR (Council of European Municipalities and Regions) and other stakeholders. Some 19 city networks, 110 municipalities and 16 local governments have since signed declaration (as of February 2021).

Five years after signing of the Paris Agreement by states around the globe committing to reduce their emissions, municipalities have taken the opportunity to reaffirm this commitment on the local level. Their commitments within the framework of the Paris Declaration are ambitious. They range from creating a fair society and providing transparent information on climate policy progress to climate justice, the fight against energy poverty and the right to renewable energy for all citizens by 2050. These actions demonstrate once more the essential role local authorities play in fighting the global climate crisis.

Learn more

Paris Declaration 2020 (pdf, in English and French)

Climate Witnesses go online – Exhibition now available digitally!

Wed, 17 Feb 2021 00:00:00 +0100

As of now, an updated version of the popular Climate Alliance exhibition „We are all witnesses of climate change“ with new data and facts is available for loan and now also online. The new update contains further information, links and background information. It is available in German at klimazeugen.eu and soon also in English at climatewitnesses.eu.

In the last three years alone, the exhibition was shown in over 140 different member municipalities in Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Austria, Romania and Hungary. With the exhibition, Climate Alliance wants to support municipalities in raising awareness amongst citizens on the global challenge of climate change. The exhibitions give climate change a face.

Currently, loans for 2021/22 are still possible. Interested municipalities can contact us at ausstellung(at)klimabuendnis.org.

Read more

Exhibitions on climate justice

Autarky Rate Tool for electrical storage solutions now available

Fri, 15 Jan 2021 00:00:00 +0100

Measuring the degree of self-sufficiency with just a few clicks and evaluating the technical, economic and ecological effects of the chosen system configuration – this is now provided by the so-called Autarky Rate Tool. The tool is suitable for all those who are interested in installing electric storage systems in combination with renewable energy sources. The aim is to motivate users to take a closer look at the topic and subsequently contribute to an increased and intelligent use of electric storage solutions. Another important aspect of the tool is the checklist, which summarises the results in a pdf document. This document also contains an analysis of the calculation results as well as specific information on the use of storage in historic old towns.

Climate Alliance is a partner of the Interreg Central Europe project Store4HUC, within which the tool was developed. The project promotes the integration and intelligent management of energy storage in historic city centres. The English and German version of the Autarky Rate Tool is now available online.

Learn more

Cycling during the Corona crisis more popular than ever

Wed, 09 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0100

Frankfurt am Main, 9 December 2020. A total of 545,988 participants from 1,482 municipalities got on their bikes for Climate Alliance's international "City Cycling" campaign, setting new records. Between May and October, they covered more than 115 million kilometres, thus avoiding the almost 17,000 tonnes of CO₂ that would have been emitted if they had taken a car.

As the Corona crisis made public transport less attractive and individual mobility gained importance, bicycles in particular enjoyed increased popularity. Many people had to restructure their routines in the course of the pandemic and dis-covered the bicycle for themselves. "It is not only in City Cycling that we have seen a strong increase in participants this year. Local authorities, too, are reporting a significant rise in cycling," explains André Muno of Climate Alliance.

Muno hopes that this newfound enthusiasm for cycling will remain after the pandemic. Some cities have already responded to changing transport behaviour with innovative and pragmatic approaches such as pop-up cycle paths. "I hope that this solution-oriented approach will continue. After all, a sustainable rise in cycling can only be ensured with well-developed cycling infrastructure," says Muno.

Climate Alliance will award the most successful municipalities in the City Cycling campaign prizes on 1 February 2021. Due to the Corona pandemic, the award ceremony will be held online.

_{City cycling is an international campaign of Climate Alliance and is supported by partners Ortlieb, ABUS, Busch + Müller, Stevens Bikes, MYBIKE, Paul Lange & Co, WSM and Schwalbe.}

Weitere Informationen

Contacts

André Muno, CITY CYCLING Campaign Director, Climate Alliance, T. +49 69 7171 39 -11, a.muno(at)climatealliance.org
Sarah Mekjian, Communications Director, Climate Alliance, communications(at)climatealliance.org

s.mekjian(at)klimabuendnis.org

_{CITY CYCLING
Climate Alliance’s international CITY CYCLING campaign invites members of municipal parliaments to get on their bikes, become climate action role models and promote cycling. They team up with citizens to cycle as many kilometres as possible for their municipality on 21 consecutive days between May and September. The campaign aims to sensitise people to cycling in everyday life and to boost awareness for bicycle traffic planning in municipal parliaments. With the RADar! digital reporting platform and the MOVEBIS research project, CITY CYCLING contains two elements with which local authorities can improve cycling infrastructure with the help of their citizens. city-cycling.org}

_{THE CLIMATE ALLIANCE
For 30 years, Climate Alliance member municipalities have been acting in partnership with indigenous rainforest peoples for the benefit of the global climate. With over 1,800 members spread across 27 European countries, Climate Alliance is the world’s largest city network dedicated to climate action and the only one to set tangible targets: each member city, town and district has committed itself to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by ten percent every five years. Recognising the impact our lifestyles can have on the world's most vulnerable people and places, Climate Alliance pairs local action with global responsibility. climatealliance.org}

Pilot municipalities wanted: Climate Alliance develops Carbon Pricing Model

Mon, 07 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0100

As of now, Climate Alliance calls for municipalities, who are interested in developing a municipal CO₂ pricing model and test it locally. Together with its partner Klimaatverbond Netherlands, Climate Alliance now tackles the issue of a CO₂ price by developing a realistic Carbon pricing model for European municipalities. A dedicated working group of interested municipalities will be set up to discuss and analyse exisiting municipal experiences.

As long as greenhous gas emissions do not come at a price, we will continue to treat those emissions as if they were non-existent. The solution to this problem is a price on CO2 emissions connected to the market. Carbon pricing is an important part of the strategy towards a low carbon economy.

Interested in participating? Contact Miguel Morcillo at m.morcillo(at)climatealliance.org for more information.

New feature: Climate Alliance Tool enables direct communicate with citizens

Fri, 04 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0100

The Change the Future Tool has been given a new update: as of now, municipalities can contact users directly via a messenger. This way, local authorities can encourage their citizens to collect Changer Points and thus promote a sustainable lifestyle. In addition, local events or offers related to sustainability can also be actively promoted through the tool.

One representative per local authority will be appointed as contact person and will then be able to communicate with users from their own municipality. Climate Alliance members who are already using Change the Future and wish to use this new feature should contact the project team at climatejustice(at)climatealliance.org.

The Change the Future Tool offers communities, groups and individuals ways to get involved in creating a good life for all. The tool is giving people the opportunity to help instigate major changes by completing little activities aiming at starting a dialogue about sustainability – focusing on topics such as consumption, energy, mobility and nutrition.

Read more

Change the Future Tool
Guide (pdf)

Future of the Covenant of Mayors in Europe: survey results published

Fri, 27 Nov 2020 00:00:00 +0100

Higher ambitions, broader commitments and Climate Emergency – those are key results of the Covenant of Mayors Europe survey cities and regions from more than 23 countries participated in. The majority of respondents is in favour of scaling up ambition in climate action. Adaptation measures also play a crucial role: 62% of respondents want the Covenant of Mayors to expand its adaptation commitment. Enlarging the scope of action is another important aspect – a large majority of respondents support the broadening of the initiative's cope to further “non-energy related sectors”. In addition, 96% of respondents were in favour of further emphasising climate emergency in the framework of the Covenant of Mayors in Europe. More than half of the respondents have already declared climate emergency or made climate policy a priority.

The survey was conducted during the summer 2020, Climate Alliance members were also invited to participate. The survey outcomes will be used as basis to reposition the initiative in its new (policy, social, economic) context and transform it so that it best supports climate transition and empowers local authorities in the recovery process. This, in turn, will strongly influence EU policy regarding municipalities and climate in general. The full-text analysis of the survey results and the summary are now available online.

Read more

Climate Alliance supports fight against energy poverty in private rented sector

Thu, 26 Nov 2020 00:00:00 +0100

Via a new EU project, Climate Alliance is addressing a central issue of the energy transition: energy poverty in the private rented sector. Around 50 million households in the European Union are estimated to be living in energy poverty – or energy vulnerability, unable to afford the energy needed to adequately heat or cool their homes. Energy poverty is recognised as a priority issue under the European Green Deal and the Clean Energy Package.

The new ENPOR project is devoted to alleviating energy poverty in the European Private Rented Sector (PRS) and aims at identifying energy poor tenants and landlords and understanding their needs. A key result will be the development of an Energy Poverty Dashboard, a digital mapping tool and a platform for knowledge exchange within and between different national contexts.

Read more

ENPOR
Kick-Off Press Release (PDF)

Green public procurement – survey maps needs of local authorities

Wed, 18 Nov 2020 00:00:00 +0100

Local authorities can now make their voice heard with this survey on green public procurement. By completing the survey, municipalities can share their experiences, success factors and challenges in promoting green public procurement as an effective tool in local climate action. The aim is to map the needs and ideas of local authorities willing to adopt Renewable Energy Sources technologies.

Climate Alliance promotes this survey in the framework of the EU funded project XPress that supports and facilitates collaborations between SMEs and the public sector for the development and adoption of renewables in regions. The survey is available in nine languages and is aimed at public buyers who procure green products and services.

Complete the survey

Read more

Humankind's influence – photo gallery online available now

Wed, 28 Oct 2020 00:00:00 +0100

Photographer Tom Hegen now shows in a virtual exhibition, how human beings shape their environment. We are often not even aware of the extent to which we lay claim to the environment for our needs. Tom Hegen now demonstrates with his photographs, from a bird’s eye view, how we shape our environment. The photographs focus on habitats dramatically changed by human activity and encourage discovery of our environment from a new perspective. The photo gallery is available online as of now until the end of the year.

On 26 October, Climate Alliance organised an online vernissage together with its member city Munich and the photographer as part of the awareness raising campaign “A good life is simple”. The Facebook livestream of the event is now also available online.

Read more

_{Photo: Tom Hegen}

New roadmap – EU published Renovation Wave Strategy

Fri, 16 Oct 2020 00:00:00 +0200

With this week’s publication of the “Renovation Wave Strategy”, the European Commission is addressing one of the major challenges to implementing its Green Deal. The strategy sets out a roadmap for regulatory action especially on the Energy Performance on Buildings Directive (EPBD) and the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) combined with financial support and increased technical assistance with the ultimate goal to double the current annual renovation rate until 2030 across the EU.

With regard to the local level, the publication proposes to extend renovation requirements to all public buildings beyond the national level. Cities will therefore be faced with higher requirements for their town halls, schools and hospitals.

Climate Alliance has provided extensive input during the public consultations that had been conducted prior to the launch of the strategy. The network thus welcomes the proposal to increase technical assistance for local authorities. "We also appreciate the mentioned importance of sustainable renovation based on circular and nature-based solutions as well as the focus on social and economic elements of building renovation", says Jonas Rönnefarth from Climate Alliance. However, specific actions will be revealed only by the time existing legislation will be revised as outlined in the Action Plan annexed to the Strategy.

Read more

Renovation Wave Strategy (pdf)
News "Climate Alliance weighs in on EU Renovation Wave"
Climate Alliance response to the first public consultation (PDF)
Climate Alliance response to the second public consultation (PDF)
Climate Alliance project work in the field of buildings and energy efficiency (e.g. Build Upon², PadovaFIT Expanded, SCORE, Falco, EUCF and CityInvest)

New EEA report highlights the need for European cities to step up adaptation to climate change impacts

Thu, 15 Oct 2020 00:00:00 +0200

Yesterday, the European Environment Agency (EEA) published a report stressing the need to improve adaptation and resilience at the local level. The report, entitled Urban Adaptation in Europe: How Cities and Towns Respond to Climate Change, states that “the way we plan and construct our cities remains unsustainable”. While cities are aware of the need to adapt, they still struggle to handle the impacts of climate change such as floods and heatwaves. Climate Alliance has helped produce the report within the framework of the ETC project. The network has provided many local examples from Climate Alliance members such as the German cities of Berlin, Cologne, Dresden and Mannheim.

Alongside the report on the state of European climate change adaptation planning, the EEA has also published a second report, Monitoring and Evaluation of National Adaptation Policies Throughout the Policy Cycle, highlighting the importance of monitoring, reporting and evaluation. Both reports are out now and available for download.

Read more

Climate Alliance welcomes two new board members

Tue, 13 Oct 2020 00:00:00 +0200

On 8 October, the Climate Alliance General Assembly unanimously elected Harol Rincón Ipuchima, Coordinator for Climate Change and Biodiversity of the COICA, and Matthias Nabholz, Head of the Department for Environment and Energy of Basel, Switzerland, as new members of the Board. Mr. Rincón continues the role of Robinson Lopéz Descanse, who died in August as a result of a coronavirus infection. Mr Nabholz succeeds Karin Hungerbühler from St.Gallen, who did not run for office again. Tine Heyse, President of the Board, Robert Leven, Board Secretary, and Board members Julie Laernoes, John Tanner and Ronald van Meygaarden were re-elected for a further term.

For the first time, this year’s General Assembly took place as a digital event within the framework of the Climate Alliance Digital Days from 6 – 9 October. As in previous years, the next General Assembly is planned as part of the Climate Alliance International Conference in Wels, Austria, from 8 – 10 September 2021.

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Climate Alliance resolution against EU-Mercosur trade agreement

Fri, 09 Oct 2020 00:00:00 +0200

Frankfurt am Main, 9 October 2020. Climate Alliance members adopted a resolution at yesterday's General Assembly calling on the European Council to reject the Mercosur agreement in its current form. After the EU Parliament voted in favour of an amendment on Wednesday, Climate Alliance and its European member municipalities have now also publicly opposed the FTA at local level.

"The Free Trade Agreement is an agreement for large companies. It undermines environmental and social standards and, above all, threatens small farmers and family businesses," emphasises Rainer Handlfinger, member of the Climate Alliance board, who introduced the resolution in the General Assembly.

With the adoption of the resolution, the network of cities recognises its responsibility towards its indigenous partners in Amazonia and calls on the EU Commission to not undermine municipal efforts in climate protection with its trade policy. Instead, trade should be shaped in accordance with European climate goals and social standards.

"The EU-Mercosur trade agreement is a frontal attack against our climate targets, both as a network of municipalities and as citizens," comments Dietmar Mirkes, National Coordinator of Climate Alliance in Luxembourg, on the European Union's plans.

Since the Climate Alliance's beginnings 30 years ago, the network has stood alongside the indigenous peoples of the Amazon basin. The now adopted resolution was developed in cooperation with a number of other organisations of the Seattle2Brussels network.

Further information

Contacts

Sarah Mekjian, Communications Director, Climate Alliance, communications@climatealliance.org
Silke Lunnebach, Project Coordinator, Climate Alliance, s.lunnebach@climatealliance.org

Competition launched: ideas for the Franco-German Energy Transition Week 2021 wanted

Mon, 31 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0200

As of today, local actors from Germany and France can submit their ideas for the Franco-German Energy Transition Week 2021. Around 20 special ideas will be rewarded and receive a financial grant for their implementation during the Energy Transition Week. Interested municipalities and organisations can submit their ideas until 18 October.

The competition is being organised within the TANDEM project. Together with Energy Cities, Climate Alliance coordinates the project. The main objectives are the coordination of Franco-German climate protection partnerships and the support of the Franco-German Energy Transition Week, which takes place from 18 to 31 January 2021 and aims to initiate as many local actions as possible and thus raise public awareness of the energy transition.

Read more

Ideas competition (in French)
TANDEM

Climate Alliance mourns the death of board member Robinson López Descanse

Mon, 24 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0200

Robinson López Descanse, Climate Alliance Vice-President and Coordinator for Climate Change and Biodiversity of COICA, died on 21 August as a result of a coronavirus infection in his native Colombia.

López Descanse was a representative of the Inga people and was born in the protected area of Chaluayaco in the municipality of Villagarzon Putyumayo, Colombia. He was involved in his community from an early age, having held various positions within the structure of the reserve. He presided over legal proceedings in defence of the territorial, social and cultural rights of the Inga people, served as the political leader of the "Minga of Resistance" for the rights of indigenous peoples of Putumayo, was the Human Rights and Peace Commissioner of the National Organisation of Indigenous Peoples of the Colombian Amazon (OPIAC) and Commissioner of Rights before the National Commission for the Human Rights of the Indigenous Peoples of Colombia (CNDDHHPIC). Robinson López Descanse was a member of the Climate Alliance Board since 2018 and was elected COICA Coordinator for Climate Change and Biodiversity in the same year.

With the death of Robinson López Descanse, we and the Amazon rainforest have lost an important and dynamic champion of indigenous rights, the environment and climate protection. Robinson López Descanse’s passing has undoubtedly left a large void.

Read more

Robinson López Descanse
COICA Statement (in Spanish)

Indigenous community marks preliminary success in the fight against Corona

Wed, 19 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0200

The indigenous community of São Gabriel da Cachoeira, Brazil, is seeing some positive results in the fight against Corona according to a current report by the Institute for Social and Environmental Affairs (ISA), one of Climate Alliance Austria’s partner organisations on the Rio Negro in Brazil.

An inter-institutional crisis committee has been set up in the Brazilian community to initiate measures improving local health infrastructure. The committee is coordinating work with other organisations. With the help of ISA and Greenpeace, for example, 13 health stations have been established on indigenous territory. A contingency plan developed by ISA’s Rio Negro Program managed to raise R$2.2 million to purchase medical materials, hygiene products and implement communication measures, and with the help of Doctors without Borders, a COVID-19 reception center with 30 beds has gone into operation.

Further measures have been supported in partnership with Climate Alliance Austria’s partner FOIRN, the umbrella association for the Rio Negro’s indigenous organisations, including participation in biosecurity trainings for local teams, the facilitation of donations from companies and institutions, an analysis of the pandemic‘s development at the Rio Negro, and communications work as well as information material on COVID-19.

Indigenous peoples continue to face serious threats, however, such as the indigenous genocide being perpetrated by the Bolsonaro government and institutional racism. It is thus critical to draw public attention to these pressures as well.

Read more

ISA
Webinar: Next steps on the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement (17 September)
Climate Alliance Corona Relief

Climate emergency in municipalities – German climate impact assessment tool available for download

Tue, 18 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0200

An Excel-based tool for the determination of the climate impact of municipal proposals is now available for download of the Climate Alliance website. Numerous municipalities have declared a climate emergency over the last year and have since been faced with the challenge of understanding the climate relevance of their resolutions. This is exactly where the climate impact assessment comes in: the tool makes it easy to examine municipal projects based on their climate impact, from the initial idea to the draft resolution.

The tool takes a two-step approach: preliminary assessment and main assessment. The first stage serves to determine whether the project in question is climate-relevant at all and whether it should be more carefully examined with regard to its climate impact. The main assessment then determines which fields of action are most affected and to what extent. Based on this, municipalities can define options for action and, if necessary, alternatives.

The climate impact assessment was developed in cooperation with the ifeu Institute as part of the German National Climate Protection Initiative project “Climate Action Management in Public Projects (KöP)”. Version 2.0 of the tool for German municipalities can now be downloaded free of charge.

Read more

Climate Impact Assessment (Excel file, in German)
Climate Action Management in Public Projects (KöP)
First presentation of tool (pdf, in German)

City tours into the future – Manual for Transition Tours available

Fri, 14 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0200

As of now, a manual for municipalities on the implementation of Transition Tours is available. Transition Tours are thematic city tours for citizens leading to the places of change in a municipality. Participants learn first-hand which projects their local government and their fellow citizens are developing to meet the challenges of our times.

Within the Climate Alliance project Climate Active Neighbourhoods (CAN) the campaign was continued and expanded to include the topics of energy-efficient building renovation and citizen participation. Frankfurt am Main, Germany, was one of the pilot cities that tested the new topics in practice. The city will offer the next Transition Tour on 5 September 2020.

The German manual for the implementation of the campaign is now available free of charge. An English version will follow shortly.

Read more

Member donations make direct aid in the Amazon Basin possible

Sun, 09 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0200

9 August is the International Indigenous Peoples‘ Day and an opportunity to draw our attention to the situation in our partner’s territories. In recent weeks, Climate Alliance has been able to use first member donations for direct aid in Amazonia. For example, Climate Alliance provided hygiene articles and protective gear to fight COVID-19 in Marechal Thaumaturgo, Brazil, while communication materials for an indigenous public were funded in Peru and traditional medicine was supported through „living pharmacies“ in the Territory of Apurina, Brazil.

Climate Alliance is taking a two-pronged approach, to help its indigenous partners during these difficult times: direct aid by organising donation funds and raising awareness in Europe. A series of webinars, campaigns such as „A good life is simple“ and tools such as Climate Compass or the Change the Future Tool help raise awareness on the current situation in the Amazon Basin and topics like climate justice.

This year in particular, indigenous peoples in Amazonia and their territory are facing great risks. The Corona crisis is being exploitet to weaken democratic institutions and environmental safeguards. At the same time, the EU is poised to ratify a trade agreement with Mercosur, that is completely at odds with our climate goals and environmental standards – with dramatic impacts on indingenous peoples.

Learn more

Want to learn more? Contact us at climatejustice@climatealliance.org for more information.

European cities compete for European Green Capital & European Green Leaf Award

Mon, 03 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0200

Cities from all across Europe still have the chance to enter the European Green Capital (EGCA 2023) and European Green Leaf (EGLA 2022) competition and win one of the two prestigious awards. The European Green Capital is awarded every year to a European city of 100,000+ inhabitants. The European Green Leaf Award 2022 is also underway, for smaller cities with 20,000 to 99,999 inhabitants. The European Commission will award a financial prize of €600,000 to the winning city of the 2023 European Green Capital title and €200,000 each to up to two cities for the 2022 European Green Leaf Award.

Both awards honour cities’ commitments to environmental, social and economic sustainability. The financial prizes are supposed to contribute to achieving their sustainability visions. Being a European Green Capital brings many benefits including a greater focus on environmental projects, increased tourism and foreign investment, boosting the local economy and helping to create employment. Winners and shortlisted cities also gain access to the exclusive European Green Capital Network, providing them with support and a platform for sharing knowledge and best practice.

There is still time to enter as applications close on 28 October 2020. The competitions are open for towns and cities from EU Member States, EU Candidate Countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

Learn more

CITY CYCLING 2020 enjoys continued success with more municipalities than ever before

Fri, 31 Jul 2020 00:00:00 +0200

It's halftime for the world’s largest cycling campaign. Since 1 May, citizens and local politicians in communities across Germany and Europe have been pedalling hard and have already logged 49 million kilometres by bicycle to date. Interested local authorities and cyclists have until October to register for this year’s round of CITY CYCLING.

This year, the Climate Alliance's cycling campaign has experienced continued success. With 1,402 registrations, CITY CYCLING has already surpassed last year’s record number of participating. This year the campaign is being supported by state funding in ten of Germany’s thirteen federal states. The campaign is also becoming increasingly popular abroad with French municipalities taking part for the first time. The French region of Alsace Central, for example, participated with its sister region of Emmendingen in Germany with the support of the Interreg project SaMBA. Another example is the French municipality Val d’Alzette, which is participating in this year's campaign as part of the TANDEM project.

These preliminary results are a boon for CITY CYCLING in this unusual year. Recently, the campaign has also been given its own podcast, in which many topics related to CITY CYCLING and bicycle traffic are being discussed. Since 2008, the campaign has been inviting local authorities to take part in a cycling competition and thus lead by example by promoting cycling as a sustainable transport alternative.

Read more

Platform for climate change dialogue between Chinese and European cities – new features available

Thu, 30 Jul 2020 00:00:00 +0200

The EC-Link platform promotes the exchange of Chinese and European cities in the field of sustainable urbanisation. Recently, the platform has been revised and equipped with a number of new features. Climate Alliance has now published a user manual on how to use the EC-Link platform, which describes these extended features in more detail.

The platform brings together local actors from industry, science, municipalities and associations. The main goal is to build a network community. Users can present their work on the platform as well as learn and benefit from each other through the exchange of knowledge and experience. A built-in translation feature helps overcome possbile language barriers.

The published user manual is intended to illustrate and simplify the handling of the platform. The manual is now available in German and English.

Read more

Want to learn more? Contact Nina Stiehr at n.stiehr(at)climatealliance.org for more information.

Climate Alliance weighs in on EU Renovation Wave

Tue, 28 Jul 2020 00:00:00 +0200

This July, Climate Alliance issued its second response to the European Commission’s public consultation on building renovation. The Commission launched a multi-step consultation this summer in advance of the official launch of its Renovation Wave Communication expected this September. “Municipalities are at the core of the building renovation and it is essential to empower them with the financial, technological and administrative capacities to help boost renovation rates, undertake deep renovations and reduce building emissions,” explains Jonas Rönnefarth of Climate Alliance.

The Renovation Wave aims to increase energy efficiency and reduce building emissions within the European Union. As such, Climate Alliance sees it as central pillar of the European Green Deal. Bringing together lessons learnt from the activities of its member municipalities as well as its extensive project work on the topic, the city network has identified five keys to making the programme a success. These five pillars include:

Increased ambition to reach the goals of the Paris Agreement
Empowerment of municipalities through financial and technical support
Promotion of one-stop-shops to bring together demand and supply side
Alleviation of energy poverty to ensure affordable energy for all citizens
Protection of natural resources through use of local and natural materials

Climate Alliance will continue its work in the field of building energy efficiency, helping European municipalities and contributing to the success of EU programmes on the topic.

Further information

Climate Alliance response to the first public consultation (PDF)
Climate Alliance response to the second public consultation (PDF)
Climate Alliance project work in the field of buildings and energy efficiency (e.g. Build Upon², PadovaFIT Expanded, SCORE, Falco, EUCF and CityInvest)

Want to know more? Contact Silvia Nanni at s.nanni(at)climatealliance.org or Jonas Rönnefarth at j.roennefarth(at)climatealliance.org for more information.

Climate Alliance joins coalition to stop Mercosur

Wed, 22 Jul 2020 00:00:00 +0200

Climate Alliance has added its voice to that of some 60 organisations throughout Germany supporting the Just World Trade (Gerechter Welthandel) movement to stop the Mercosur Free Trade agreement in its current form.

“This agreement would undermine our member municipalities' efforts over the last 30 years to fight against climate change and for climate justice,” explains Madlie Le Bihan of Climate Alliance’s Climate Justice team. “Any agreement struck with the Bolsonaro government will be an endorsement of environmentally and socially disastrous policies for which our towns, our cities and our citizens, not to mention our indigenous partners in Amazonia and countless ecosystems on which we all rely, will have to pay dearly.”

The long negotiations for the trade agreement between the European Union and the so-called Mercosur states of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay were concluded in June 2019 although the agreement’s sustainability impact assessment was only finalised in July 2020. Analysis shows that the agreement would greatly bolster industries that are already key contributors to the climate crisis, increasing imports of agricultural products from Mercosur countries and exports of vehicles and chemicals, among other products. Beef and soy, perhaps the industries that stand to profit most, are already the main drivers of illegal logging and deforestation in the Amazon Basin.

Although the EU is currently preparing the agreement for signature, it is questionable how it can claim to uphold its climate goals while ratifying the current version of the trade deal. The German Federal Government, which now holds the EU Council Presidency, has set its sights on closing the agreement this November.

Further information

_{Photo: Uwe Hiksch}

Memorandum secures future of EU Islands Initiative

Fri, 03 Jul 2020 00:00:00 +0200

Last week, the European Commission and numerous Energy Ministers of Europe’s island Member States came together to ensure the future of the Clean Energy for EU Islands Initiative. Their memorandum of understanding calls for the establishment of a long-term structure to support EU islands in their clean energy transition.

For the last two years, Climate Alliance has led the consortium heading up the new Clean Energy for EU Islands Secretariat for the European Commission. The first EU-wide initiative of its kind to mainstream transition management and multi-stakeholder commitments, its success thus far is due in large part to the so-called quadruple helix approach in which collaboration between public and private stakeholders is carefully balanced. The secretariat thus supports civil society organisations, local authorities, local businesses and academic and educational institutions work together to advance the clean energy transition on their islands as a community effort. Climate Alliance’s long tradition of working with small towns and communities on climate issues through civil society and citizen engagement has made the network a strategic player throughout the secretariat’s development.

Moving forward, the Clean Energy EU Islands Initiative will continue to support islands in their transition agendas while promoting citizen participation, renewable energy communities and the exchange of good practice.

Further information
• Clean Energy for EU Islands
• Islands Transition Handbook (pdf)

POWER project honoured with Water Innovation Europe 2020 Award

Tue, 30 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0200

The POWER project was recognised in the category of Water Governance at last week’s Water Innovation Europe 2020 conference. “We believe that the tools, engagement approaches and methodologies of the project have contributed to social and political changes in our partner cities,” explained Professor Ljiljana Marjanovic-Halburd of De Montfort University upon accepting the award. The project raised awareness on flood risk, water conservation, water consumption and water quality with the help of a social platform for municipalities and their citizens.

From 2015 to 2019, Climate Alliance collaborated with De Montfort University and ten other consortium members to establish social platforms on water challenges via POWER, helping pilot them in Leicester (UK), Milton Keynes (UK), Jerusalem (ISR) and Sabadell (ES). The platforms feature best practices as well as gamification to encourage engagement. So far, more than 16,000 people have visited the platforms created through the project and thousands have taken part in associated activities. POWER has demonstrated that the use of smart technologies supported by innovative engagement models can play an key role in addressing areas with significant environmental impact.

Learn more

Climate Alliance promotes transboundary municipal climate partnerships

Wed, 17 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0200

Climate Alliance extends its support to non-EU municipalities in the global fight against climate change. As of now, Climate Alliance is officially managing and coordinating the climate partnership between the City of Karlsruhe, Germany, and Kampala, Uganda. In May, the Mayor of Karlsruhe, Frank Mentrup, and the Mayor of Kampala, Erias Lukwago, formally agreed on the role of Climate Alliance.

In 2019, Climate Alliance already managed the first city-to-city climate partnership between Karlsruhe and Kampala. This signalled the first pilot transboundary climate protection partnership involving a Climate Alliance’s member municipality conceptualised under the Covenant of Mayors for Sub Saharan Africa (CoM SSA), which is a geographical replication of the EU Covenant of Mayors for Energy and Climate.

At the heart of this city-to-city partnership, is the goal of propagating its principles of municipal-owned climate actions and voluntary emission reduction commitments among participating non-EU municipalities. Furthermore, the programme is aimed at promoting exchange of best practices between two cities and innovating together for sustainable solutions. It is intended to strengthen the knowledge and capacity base of the COM SSA signatories in realizing their Sustainable Energy and Climate Action (SEACAPs) plans.

Read more
• Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy

Want to learn more? Contact Emana Nsikan-George at n.emana(at)climatealliance.org for more information.

Climate Alliance established alliance to strengthen the regional value chain of wood

Mon, 15 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0200

Together with eleven partners from five Alpine regions, Climate Alliance has founded the Low Carbon Timber Alliance to strengthen regional value chains for timber products. The alliance partners want to establish low carbon timber as a central element for environmentally friendly communities and a successful local timber industry. They also commit to promote the use of regional timber in their network and to further shorten and strengthen regional processing chains.

The Low Carbon Timber Alliance originated from the European Interreg Project CaSCo, in which Climate Alliance participated, and will continue to exist beyond the end of the project. The aim of the project was to promote climate-, biodiversity- and resource-saving products from the outset, as well as sustainable action by all market participants in the shortest possible material cycles for timber products. Among other things, the project also published policy recommendations for the use of regional wood in Europe.

Learn more
-   Low Carbon Timber Alliance (pdf)
-   CaSCo Project
-   Policy recommendations for a more favourable development of low carbon timber across Europe (pdf)

Want to learn more? Please contact Andreas Kress at a.kress(at)climatealliance.org for more information.

Covenant of Mayors launches survey on future of initiative

Wed, 10 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0200

In these challenging times, the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy wants to show it can evolve to best support and empower local and regional authorities. As of now, the European initiative is giving municipalities the opportunity to have a say in shaping the future of the Covenant of Mayors by developing an extensive survey.

Climate Alliance members are also called upon to share their views on the future of the initiative, whether they are already involved in the Covenant of Mayors or not. The survey is including topics such as climate emergency and climate justice. Filling in this survey should require less than 15 minutes. It is available in 23 languages and will be open until 15 September 2020.

The Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy is a movement of more than 10,000 local authorities throughout Europe and beyond. Climate Alliance has helped manage and shape the Covenant of Mayors since the initiative’s founding in 2008.

Further information

Climate Alliance Switzerland further strengthens local climate action

Mon, 08 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0200

Climate Alliance Switzerland launched the Climate and Energy Charter of the cities and municipalities at the end of May. By ratifying this Charter, Swiss cities and municipalities are sending a strong signal. Signatories recognise climate change as one of the greatest global challenges and acknowledge Switzerland’s special responsibility in this context.

Climate Alliance Switzerland, together with Swiss cities and municipalities, has developed the Climate and Energy Charter and administers it on a provisional basis. The Charter is also intended to serve as a guide for climate action on a local level. It focuses on four main objectives: 100% renewable energy without greenhouse gas emissions, efficient energy use, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from consumption, and monitoring of the achievements of these objectives.

Swiss cities and municipalities can ratify the Charter with a resolution of the municipal or city council. No formal signature or act of accession is envisaged. Interested cities and municipalities can submit the decision of their executive bodies to the Swiss office of the Charter by post or e-mail at info(at)klimabeundnis.ch.

Read more

Climate and Energy Charter of the cities and municipalities (in German)
Ratification (in German)
Climate Alliance Switzerland (in German)

Kids on the move again – this year with extended working materials!

Thu, 04 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0200

Climate Alliance’s Green Footprint campaign will take place again this year. Although the official launch of the campaign had to be cancelled due to the Corona pandemic, numerous institutions have already registered. At present, around 15,000 children in Germany are already collecting Green Footprints for global climate protection. Children in Austria, the Netherlands and Hungary will join the campaign after the summer holidays the latest. From now on, extended materials are also available. The Climate Voyage has a new stopover in the U.S. and is taking a closer look on barbecue activites. The true-to-life examples of the Climate Voyage offer children the opportunity to learn about individual aspects of the complex field of climate change, such as its causes and effects.

Interested municipalities, daycare centres and schools can collect Green Footprints until 20 December this year. Climate Alliance will present the Green Footprints at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow next year at the latest, thus making the children’s concerns heard.

Read more

Want to learn more? Contact Claudia Schury at c.schury(at)klimabuendnis.org for more information.

#WeAreChange – 9th Climate Star competition launched

Wed, 27 May 2020 00:00:00 +0200

Climate Alliance has just launched the 9th Climate Star competition in search of successful climate action projects from across Europe.

This year’s competition is running under the motto, “We are change – success stories in local climate action”. In everyday life, at work or in the transition to a better world – change affects us all, especially in times like these. Yet change also offers the opportunity to initiate a sustainable transformation and to break new ground. This is exactly why Climate Alliance is looking for success stories from its members. For the first time, the Climate Star is also being awarded in the Change the Future special category. Change the Future is an online tool from Climate Alliance that promotes local commitment to climate protection.

30 October 2020 marks application deadline for the 9th Climate Star. Climate Alliance members from across Europe as well as municipal networks of member municipalities can participate. As in previous editions of the Climate Star, the city network will award the winners at a gala ceremony on 22 April 2021 at Schloss Grafenegg in Lower Austria.

Further information

Want to learn more? Contact us at communications(at)climatealliance.org for further information.

European City Facility announces first call for applications

Tue, 26 May 2020 00:00:00 +0200

Municipalities can now submit their applications to the European City Facility (EUCF) for a chance to receive support in raising funding for sustainable energy and climate action plans. Successful applicants will benefit from capacity building, peer learning activities for developing sound investment packages and up to 60,000 euros in financial aid.

A transparent application process available in a variety of European languages will allow municipalities to respond to the call within the limits of their resources. Throughout the entire process, country experts will support municipalities in their native language. Applications will be evaluated based on energy savings ambition and expected investment as well as qualitative criteria such as stakeholder engagement and governance.

The initial duration of the call has been extended until 2 October due to the COVID-19 outbreak. As energy savings and investments can be increased by pooling sustainable energy projects, the EUCF recommends that local authorities join their forces and resources and submit joint applications.

More information

Want to learn more? Contact Tatjana Veith at t.veith(at)climatealliance.org for more information.

Climate Alliance annual report now out

Mon, 25 May 2020 00:00:00 +0200

The Climate Alliance annual report is now available online! To mark Climate Alliance’s 30th anniversary, we have designed an annual report that is far more than just a review of 2019. A journey for the climate awaits readers as we look back on 30 years of Climate Alliance. What has happened thus far, where do we stand today and what lies ahead? The brochure gives insight into the entire range of Climate Alliance’s work – from climate justice to international advocacy and local climate action campaigns. Our national coordinators in Austria, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg and Switzerland also look back on their history in the document, presenting both their work of recent years and future prospects.

The annual report is now available for download in German and English.

English (pdf) | German (pdf)

Want to learn more? Contact us at communications(at)climatealliance.org for more information.

Amazon Emergency Fund supports indigenous peoples in the fight against Corona

Thu, 07 May 2020 00:00:00 +0200

5 May 2020 marks the launch of the Amazon Emergency Fund that will now channel support for indigenous peoples in the fight against Corona. Climate Alliance, along with numerous organisations worldwide including its indigenous partner organisation, COICA, is part of the emergency fund’s so-called Founding Solidarity Circle.

Donations to the fund will enable rapid support for indigenous peoples in the following areas: prevention and protection measures, food and medical supplies, emergency evacuation, food sovereignty and resilience. A full 100 percent of each donation will go directly to indigenous communities and organisations confronted with COVID-19 in the Amazon Basin. The fund is fiscally sponsored by the Rainforest Foundation U.S. Grant, but all governance decisions will be carried out in strict coordination with the Founding Solidarity Circle.

Climate Alliance will be forwarding all donations collected thus far in support indigenous organisations managing the COVID-crisis to the newly launched Amazon emergency fund.

More information

Want to learn more? Contact Silke Lunnebach at s.lunnebach@climatealliance.org for more information.

Covenant of Mayors Board urges green COVID-19 recovery

Wed, 06 May 2020 00:00:00 +0200

The European Covenant of Mayors board issued an open letter on 5 May calling on the European Commission to place the Green Deal at the core of recovery efforts. The letter stresses that the current health crisis “…should not be misused as a pretext for delaying urgent climate action, but instead be used as an opportunity to shape systemic change.” Towns, cities and regions are “on the frontlines” in managing the virus and its effects. At the same time, they cannot afford to lose sight of the climate emergency or weaken their efforts towards the energy transition. The letter states that the local level must therefore receive adequate support for sustainable recovery efforts. Featured examples include the Climate Alliance City of Ghent’s Relaunch Taskforce, which is developing short and long term measures with a focus on the city’s most vulnerable residents. In their letter, the Covenant of Mayors Board go on to flag the importance of cooperation between all levels of government and European solidarity in shaping a resilient future post-COVID-19.

The Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy is a movement of more than 10,000 local authorities throughout Europe and beyond. Xesco Gomar Martín, Deputy President of the Province of Barcelona, represents Climate Alliance on the Covenant of Mayors – Europe Board. The 30-year old city network has helped manage and shape the Covenant of Mayors since the initiative’s founding in 2008.

Further information

Climate Action in Lieu of Corona Blues – City Cycling Campaign Kicks Off

Wed, 29 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0200

Frankfurt am Main, 29 April 2020. The Climate Alliance City Cycling campaign is set to kick off on May 1, 2020.

While the long-running campaign will be characterised by the Corona crisis this year, campaign director André Muno of Climate Alliance sees no reason for can-cellation: "The bicycle is currently the most reasonable means of transportation and enables people to cover everyday distances with a low infection risk. In addition, cycling promotes health and can help counteract the boredom associated with lockdown restrictions while maintaining physical distance.”

A community feeling is also an important theme for the campaign this year. In times of contact restrictions, Muno stresses the advantages of collecting kilome-tres by cycling together in digital teams as a good way to overcome current limitations while cycling towards a common goal. Climate Alliance is thus also awarding a special prize this year to municipalities that mobilise participation with particularly creative activities.

In the framework of the City Cycling campaign, local politicians and citizens pedal together on 21 consecutive days between May and October. They thus experience the advantages of cycling first hand and set an example while promoting cycling, climate action and quality of life. More than 400,000 people from 1,127 municipalities took part in last year’s campaign, covering more than 77 million kilometres by bicycle.

Municipalities and cyclists worldwide can register for City Cycling 2020 through October.

^{CITY CYCLING is an international campaign of Climate Alliance and is supported by the partners Ortlieb, ABUS, Busch + Müller, Stevens Bikes, MYBIKE, Paul Lange & Co., WSM and Schwalbe.}

Further information

Contacts

André Muno, City Cycling Campaign Director, Climate Alliance, +49 69 717139-11, a.muno(at)climatealliance.org

Sarah Mekjian, Communications Director, Climate Alliance, s.mekjian(at)climatealliance.org

_{CITY CYCLING
The international CITY CYCLING campaign by Climate Alliance invites members of municipal parliaments to get on their bikes, become climate action role models and promote cycling. They team up with citizens to cycle as many kilometres as possible for their municipality on 21 consecutive days between May and September. The campaign aims to sensitise people to cycling in everyday life and to boost awareness for bicycle traffic planning in municipal parliaments. There are awards and prizes to be won – but above all, an environment worth living in with less pollution, fewer exhaust fumes and less noise. With the campaign’s RADar! digital reporting platform, local authorities can also enable citizens to report damages and necessary improvements to cycling infrastructure.
city-cycling.org}

Climate Alliance highlights role of municipalities in energy transition

Mon, 27 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0200

Climate Alliance has called for improved EU financing for energy transition funding lines key to local level climate action. On 20 April, the city network issued an open letter to representatives of the European Commission alongside thousands of cities, regions, energy agencies, NGOs, SMEs and experts calling for a co-financing rate of no less than 80% for future energy transition “Coordination and Support Action” (CSA) projects.

These CSA projects, which focus on awareness raising and communication, coordination and support services, policy dialogues, mutual learning exercises, strategic planning and networking, are currently co-funded by the EU under the Horizon 2020 programme at a rate of 80%. As of 2021, EU funding for energy transition CSAs will be transferred from the Horizon 2020 Programme to the LIFE Programme.

In response, Climate Alliance is calling for action to ensure municipalities’ central role in the energy transition and as part of the EU Green Deal. At a time of great uncertainty due to COVID-19, funding programmes such as Horizon 2020 and LIFE are more essential for local authorities than ever. Securing a high level of co-financing is of the essence for the continuation of local level climate action activities.

Further information

Want to learn more? Contact Silvia Nanni at s.nanni(at)climatealliance.org for more information.

State of emergency in Amazonia: COVID-19 threatens indigenous lives

Tue, 21 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0200

_{Joint press release of INFOE, Institute for Ecology and Action Ethnology, and Climate Alliance}

Frankfurt am Main, Germany, 21 April 2020. The COVID-19 virus is posing an enormous threat to the indigenous peoples of the Amazon Basin. After the devastating fires of 2019, Climate Alliance’s partner COICA, representing Amazonian indigenous organisations, has once again declared a state of emergency.

"The situation is really difficult. The military is failing to check boats and trans-porters. The sluggish delivery of food and medical supplies to the communities is also happening without any protection,“ comments Lizardo Cauper, president of AIDESEP, Peru’s indigenous peoples association.

In the declaration, COICA and the indigenous organisations of all nine Amazon Basin countries point to the particular vulnerability of indigenous peoples, which often lack access to health care. The few health centres that exist are often only staffed by a single nurse if at all and neither intensive care beds nor ventilators are available. The immune system of the indigenous population is also not equipped for such diseases.

In its statement, COICA also draws attention to the companies that are disregarding government calls to halt activities. Many are now entering areas unchecked and carrying on with illegal deforestation, mining and oil production. Those involved pose an additional threat as potential transmitters of the Corona virus.

Climate Alliance has stood alongside the indigenous peoples of the Amazon Basin since its founding 30 years ago. The city network is also advocating for its indigenous partners in this crisis and has launched a call for donations with the Institute for Ecology and Action Ethnology (INFOE).

Further information

The Amazon Declaration (EN | ES)
Climate Alliance and INFOE’s call for donations (EN | ES)
This press release as pdf (EN | ES)
Image of Yarinacocha, Peru, for further use (jpg) | Photo: Tereza Soria Gonzales

Contacts

Silke Lunnebach, Climate Alliance, T. +49 69 7171 39 -32, s.lunnebach(at)climatealliance.org
Elke Falley-Rothkopf, INFOE, T. +49 221 73928-71, elke(at)infoe.de

_{INFOE
The Institute for Ecology and Action Ethnology has been supporting indigenous organisations in the defense of their environment, rights and cultures since 1987. With its activities, INFOE promotes the demands and needs of its indigenous partners. The current focus areas are the protection of climate, forests, indigneous territories and indigenous rights as well as the SDGs, the UN Principles on Business and Human Rights and hydropower mega-projects. infoe.de}

_{CLIMATE ALLIANCE
For 30 years, Climate Alliance member municipalities have been acting in partnership with indigenous rainforest peoples for the benefit of the global climate. With over 1,800 members spread across 27 European countries, Climate Alliance is the world’s largest city network dedicated to climate action and the only one to set tangible targets: each member city, town and district has committed itself to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by ten percent every five years. Recognising the impact our lifestyles can have on the world's most vulnerable people and places, Climate Alliance pairs local action with global responsibility. climatealliance.org}

^{Photo: Tereza Soria Gonzales}

CITYCYCLING 2020 open for registration

Wed, 15 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0200

Municipalities can now register for CITYCYCLING 2020. New this year: subcategories of teams can make the competition even more exciting. Whether a company or a school, public administration or sports club - participants can form "sub teams", for example, for each department or class, and compete against each other within the main team.

This year again, the campaign will be supported by numerous federal states in Germany. Contact your regional representatives to see if they are planing to support CITYCYCLING for cities in your area this year.

Read more

e-Mobility: Interested Climate Alliance members wanted

Tue, 14 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0200

Climate Alliance is currently developing expertise in the area of e-mobility in local public transport and last mile freight logistics. There is much to gain in switching from fossil fuel-powered vehicles to electric mobility. Yet challenges remain, such as load allocation during consumption peaks and insufficient charging infrastructure. Through the Interreg Alpine Space project e-SMART, Climate Alliance members now have the chance to get involved in identifying what it takes to deliver successful smart solutions for integrated planning of e-mobility, charging infrastructure and energy services.

Want to learn more? Contact Katrin Jurisch at k.jurisch(at)climatealliance.org for more information.

alpine-space.eu/projects/e-smart

First call for applications – European City Facility set to start

Thu, 09 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0200

The dates for the first European City Facility (EUCF) call has now been confirmed. From 25 May to 2 October 2020, European municipalities will be able to send in their proposals for support via the new facility. This was announced during the EUCF launch webinar on 7 April.

The large number of registrations for last week's webinar proves once more that municiaplities across Europe are in need of such intiatives. The EUCF supports local authorities from the EU and the UK to develop investment concepts for accelerating the implementation of their energy and climate action plans.

Learn more

Indigenous community celebrates success in the fight for their rights

Wed, 08 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0200

The Peruvian community of Santa Clara de Uchunya has finally received its land title after a more than ten year struggle – thanks in part to the support of Climate Alliance.

The small community had been fighting for years against a developer of oil palm plantations that disputed community-owned areas. With the help of the FECONAU indigenous organisation and the support of European partners, the inhabitants have now secured their land rights and thus taken an important step in protecting their community and the rainforest.

Climate Alliance has been committed to the rights of indigenous peoples of the Amazon Basin since its founding 30 years ago. Individual member municipalities are particularly active in this respect, as in the case of Santa Clara de Uchunya the German Climate Alliance member Bühl. The long-standing dispute in Peru is, among other things, also the basis for the partnership between the city of Cologne, Germany, and the community of Yarinacocha, in which FECONAU is also active.

Read more

_{Photo: FECONAU}

Resources on climate change adaptation and energy poverty now available

Tue, 07 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0200

A webinar series on climate change adaptation and brochure on energy poverty are now available via the Covenant of Mayors.

The recently concluded webinar series explored topics ranging from assessing risks and the design of an adaptation action plan to their evaluation and financing. These Climate Alliance-supported webinars for the Covenant of Mayors featured examples from Climate Alliance members such as Gent (BE) and Guimarães (PT). Climate Alliance also shared information on nature-based solutions resulting from the CONNECTING Nature project. The four webinars and further information are now available online.

Also now available for download via the Covenant of Mayors is a new publication on the pressing topic of energy poverty. The brochure, elaborated with Climate Alliance’s support, shares energy monitoring tools and policy materials as well as recommendations on how to involve citizens in energy poverty projects and how to finance such projects.

Learn more

Climate Alliance operations during Corona crisis

Tue, 17 Mar 2020 00:00:00 +0100

Like many other organisations, the Climate Alliance European Secretariat is taking special precautions during this Corona crisis. Many staff at both the Frankfurt Headquarters and the Brussels Office will be working primarily from home until further notice. Given the high number of employees not working at their desks, stakeholders may find us easier to reach via email instead of via telephone for the time being. The majority of events in the next weeks have been cancelled and travel is being kept to an absolute minimum. Despite these necessary changes, the European Secretariat will maintain daily operations and continue to provide services to Climate Alliance members during this time. We thank you for your understanding. Stay healthy!

_{Photo by Bench Accounting on Unsplash}

Regional wood utilisation – winner videos have been decided

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 00:00:00 +0100

Regional wood utilisation has been the topic of the CaSCo Video Award. For six weeks, all interested parties could vote for the best videos on Youtube. Now the winners have been decided: From Italy, the video The Magical World of Wood by Erica Zucalli, Federico Ambrogio, Maurizio Zucalli and Anita Zucalli won as it was the Italian video with the most likes and clicks. On the Slovenian side, the High School for Wood Technology and Forestry Maribor won with the video Local Wood.

Congratulations to the winners! The winners can look forward to a wooden game of skill, each of which is produced by a joinery from their region.

Within the scope of the contest, a total of twelve videos were sent in, all of which deal with the impact and benefits of local wood.

Read more
• CaSCo Youtube Channel
• About the award

Climate Alliance helps launch European City Facility

Thu, 20 Feb 2020 00:00:00 +0100

A new resource has been unveiled to support municipal actors in developing investment concepts for climate and energy action plans. The so-called EU City Facility (EUCF) was launched yesterday at the close of the Covenant of Mayors Investment Forum in Brussels in the presence of over 600 participants. Armed with a €60,000 grant and technical support via capacity-building activities, the facility will empower local authorities to transform their plans into real investments.

Cities are under increasing pressure to make use of innovative financing schemes while the financial engineering itself gets more and more complex. The EUCF helps counter these hurdles with a streamlined application process and experts in each EU Member State for tailored technical support in municipalities’ respective national languages. The facility will also encourage the bundling of projects and blending of funds to help smaller municipalities access funding.

Climate Alliance will be working with project partners Energy Cities, Fedarene, Adelphi and Enviros to coordinate applications. The first call will be launched in May with a webinar on how to apply slated for 7 April.

Learn more

www.eucityfacility.eu
www.climatealliance.org/activities/projects/eucf
Via twitter at @eucityfacility

The benefits of regional wood utilisation

Wed, 29 Jan 2020 00:00:00 +0100

That's a pretty good picture: Climate Alliance has received a total of 10 videos in the framework of the CaSCo Video Award! The participants come from Italy, Slovenia and Austria and demonstrate in their videos what regional wood and its use means to them!

You can watch the 3-minute short films on the CaSCo youtube channel. The videos that receive the most clicks and likes by 27 February will be awarded as winning videos.

Many thanks to all participants and good luck!

Further information

• CaSCo Youtube channel
• About the award

Using cooperatives for local energy system transformation

Tue, 21 Jan 2020 00:00:00 +0100

Cooperatives contribute to increasing public acceptance of renewable energies through the participation of citizens in the energy systems (REScoops) or in the financing of the systems (FINcoops). This will foster the further expansion of wind and solar energy and promotes the transformation of the energy market from a centralised to a decentralised market. Learn more about REScoops and FINcoops in the current RegEnergy newsletter, in which both models are presented and illustrated with meaningful examples.

In the Interreg project Renewable Energy Regions (RegEnergy), project partners from seven European countries are establishing viable new urban-rural partnerships under the project management of Climate Alliance to chance existing structures and to increase the use of renewable energy in the involved regions.

Read more

Covenant of Mayors 2020 Awards

Thu, 19 Dec 2019 00:00:00 +0100

The most successful local authority in the implementation of its Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan SE(C)AP will be selected in three size categories. All signatories of the Covenant of Mayors can apply.

Winners will be offered travel and accommodation to attend the Covenant of Mayors Ceremony that will take place on 4 March 2020 in Brussels. There will be the opportunity to take part in a number of side events, meet and discuss with members of the Covenant Community and high-level EU officials. Additionally an interview with the representatives of the winning municipalities will be published on the Covenant of Mayors website and in its newsletter.

The closing date for applications is 9 January 2020.

Read more

About the Covenant of Mayors 2020 Awards
About the application form
About the Covenant of Mayors 2020 Ceremony

COP25 in Madrid and now?

Tue, 17 Dec 2019 00:00:00 +0100

Seldom have observers been so united in their assessment of the results of a UN Climate Conference: the COP25 in Madrid under Chile's presidency did not bring any progress in the implementation of the Paris Agreement. And this despite the fact that there has never been so much pressure from outside: the scientific findings are increasingly comprehensive and precise, the changes visible and the “Fridays for Future” louder than ever before.

Part of the problem lies within the Paris Agreement, which allows each country to set its own climate reduction targets. Therefore one of the most important discussions in Madrid was about criteria for emissions trading.

It is therefore of the utmost importance that actors with ambitious targets are supported in their efforts. Above all, cities, municipalities and regions continue to be a driving force for the implementation of their climate protection goals and need the support of both the national and EU level. Similarly, indigenous peoples and their lands must receive greater recognition and support for their efforts to preserve their territories and sustainable lifestyles.

In a final declaration, representatives of the city networks have therefore expressed their support for close cooperation at the different political levels. It is clearer than ever- we need every actor on board of the energy transition to fight against climate change! For small-and medium sized municipalities, we are now launching our Climate Compass tool with new features. It allows for an easy and quick overview over where your municipality stands and inspires with existing projects. With the new features, you can easily see the link to the SDGs and examine which activities in your municipality contribute to which SGD! Create your account and start with sustainable resolutions into the new year!

Read more

Call for country experts & national networks of local authorities

Thu, 12 Dec 2019 00:00:00 +0100

The new European City Facility (EUCF) provides tailored financial support (up to €60,000), hands-on expertise, as well as capacity building and peer-to peer support to European cities. With the objective of enabling municipalities to develop sound investment packages and mobilize finance for sustainable energy projects, EUCF has 2 key features in order to allow for a decentralized and tailor-made approach:

1. COUNTRY EXPERTS

Small and medium-sized cities often fail to access centrally managed EU funds and programmes. A decentralised approach based on a direct interface with local target groups has a much higher impact and outreach than centrally managed support and communication in English.

For each EU Member State, the consortium will therefore appoint a Country Expert, whose role will be to support cities and the Core Management Team for a smooth EUCF operation and monitoring. Country Experts will be selected based on their proven technical and financial competences, local working experience in the field of energy and climate investments, existing contacts with cities, best value for money and references. We are looking for Country Experts in the following countries: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Luxembourg.

The country experts will be coordinated by the EUCF Core Management Team who will ensure that they have a common understanding of the EUCF and provide high quality support to cities.
Please find the detailed call here.

2. NATIONAL NETWORKS OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES

In order to recruit potential applicants from all over Europe, the consortium (consisting of adelphi, Energy Cities, Enviros, FEDARENE and Climate Alliance) will need the support of national partners to promote and disseminate the EUCF. Therefore, one network of local authorities will be contracted per EU Member State.

The tasks will include the organisation of an information session for potential EUCF beneficiaries in the country, several webinars, general promotion and dissemination activities, among other things. The national network will focus on the promotional activities and will liaise with the country expert or the Core Management team for technical questions, while a technical helpdesk willl be run by the consortium and the country experts for their respective countries.
Please find the detailed call here.

DEADLINE: 15th of January 2020 COB

Contact: info(at)eucityfacility.eu

UN Climate Secretariat recognises children’s action on climate

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 00:00:00 +0100

Madrid/Frankfurt am Main, 7 December 2019. Today Ovais Sarmad, Deputy Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, praised the record result of almost 220,000 small climate protectors. “Never before have so many kids participated in the ZOOM campaign”, emphasised Thomas Brose, Executive Director of Climate Alliance. “This year's record proves that the will for change is already anchored in our youth. They have long understood that we are all still far from doing enough. Now it is up to the politicians to make the promised change real.” At the 25th UN Climate Change Conference in Madrid, Brose handed over the more than 3.2 million Green Footprints collected as well hopes for climate policy coming from children of over 1,500 schools in 13 European countries. Compared to the first campaign in 2002, the number of footprints collected has increased more than twentyfold. Each child earned green footprints for everyday trips carried out in a sustainable way as well as for other climate-friendly activities. Many schools were also involved in climate strikes, planting trees, collecting garbage and developing ideas for a sustainable future.

Futher information

Photos from the handover (available as of 16:00 on 07 December 2019)
2019’s participants came from Austria, Belarus, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Poland, Sweden and Switzerland
Campaign results (pdf) | Campaign info sheet (pdf)
Several hopes from participating children and statements of participating schools (pdf)
Hopes and demands from Chilean pupils
Campaign website: zoom-kidsforclimate.eu
This press release as pdf

Contacts

Claudia Schury
+49 69 7171 39-22
c.schury(at)climatealliance.org
Angela Hanisch
+49 69 7171 39-12
a.hanisch(at)climatealliance.org

COP25: indigenous rights, deforestation and fires in the Amazon

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 00:00:00 +0100

With COP25 kicking off in Madrid, Climate Alliance opened the floor for debate on the topic of indigenous rights, territories and resources with Alexander Van der Bellen, President of Austria. Our indigenous partner, COICA, the umbrella organisation of indigenous peoples in the Amazon basin, declared a humanitarian and ecological emergency due to the devastating situation – more than 500 indigenous peoples are in immediate danger. Against the backdrop of current developments and fires in the Amazon basin, it is of the utmost importance to listen to those threatened the most.

The direct link between deforestation and human rights violations in Brazil and our consumption patterns in Europe is the core of the matter – and where else to address the issue than at this year’s COP? The ongoing economic development of the Amazon region for ever increasing exports means that the pressure on the ecosystem – responsible for the regulation of the entire subcontinent’s climate – and the (indigenous) peoples living there is growing steadily. Climate Alliance and our indigenous guests from Colombia and Peru use the platform provided by COP25 to discuss the need to secure indigenous territories in the Amazon basin.

Among others, the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, which is currently being examined, would only aggravate the situation in this region if it was to be adopted. Indeed, it does not provide nearly enough safeguards to ensure the protection of the forests and their peoples. In such negotiations, it is our position that Europe should use its commercial leverage in order to improve conditions for both peoples and the climate.

Additionally, the EU doesn’t have any tool in place to ensure that its imports do not cause deforestation and human rights violations. For that reason, we fully support the growing momentum requiring companies to undertake human rights and environmental due diligence and hold companies accountable for their negative impacts. For more information, check out our last event on the links between European imports, deforestation and human rights violations in Brazil, where we discussed the issue with a broad range of actors.

Read more

Cities sign ‘Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment’ – A strong climate action declaration

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 00:00:00 +0100

The energetic refurbishment of buildings is one of the most important climate action measures, as the insulation of buildings offers a huge potential for saving greenhouse gases and money. On the occasion of signing the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment by the World Green Building Council in Brussels, several cities announced that they would step up their climate action efforts to become climate neutral by 2035.

Jan Vapaavuori, Mayor of Helsinki points out: “Climate change is the most crucial challenge of our time and buildings are at the heart of the fight against it. The City of Helsinki is committed to taking very ambitious measures in its building stock to reduce heat consumption and increase the use of renewable energy. About 45 percent of Helsinki's emission reduction potential is related to buildings, so for us it’s the natural place to take climate action.”

The Mayor of Valladolid, Óscar Puente Santiago, said: “The climate challenge is huge and Valladolid has demonstrated its ambition to improve citizens’ lives by improving our buildings. We are working on innovative energy efficiency projects in public and private buildings, retrofitting our buildings and using solar energy. Becoming the first city in Spain to sign the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment is a great opportunity to demonstrate what must be done.”

“With increasing numbers of municipalities declaring climate emergencies, renovation of buildings should be a key component of their immediate response. BUILD UPON² is providing the support and the framework to enable meaningful progress towards a decarbonised building stock. We also welcome the new commitments being made at the Summit to deliver deeper levels of renovation and to improve quality of life for Europe’s citizens.” commented Andrew Deacon and Cassandra Silk, the experts of the European city network Climate Alliance.

BUILD UPON² is a project led by a group of Green Building Councils in the worldwide network in partnership with Climate Alliance and the Buildings Performance Institute Europe. It helps cities lead the charge towards net zero carbon by 2050 by unlocking the huge potential of buildings – developing strategies and solutions to scale up energy efficient building renovation.

Read more

About the project BUILD UPON²
About the World Green Building Council
The “Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment”

Province of Barcelona published handbook on renaturing of cities

Mon, 02 Dec 2019 00:00:00 +0100

The relationship between nature and the city has been a recurring theme in urban debates since the 19th century. Today the planning of green spaces in the cities goes beyond the design of urban parks and gardens. Instead, we are planning infrastructure that incorporates ecological, landscape and health values and includes urban agricultural and forest areas, river banks and transition zones.

In the new book “Renaturing Cities” published by the Climate Alliance member Diputació de Barcelona the authors brought together re-naturalisation theorists, green infrastructure planners and utopia managers. The theory in the first section of the book compiles reflections on the importance of the re-naturalisation of the city and its effects. In the second chapter about strategies cities were presented which carry out their re-naturalisation or urban construction policies in the context of more global strategies that enable them to weave networks and alliances with other cities. And finally, the last chapter on actions describes three specific city projects that use re-naturalisation as the driving force behind urban transformation and improving the quality of life of their citizens.

Let the book inspire you to transform your urban environment!

Read more (in English, Spanish and Catalan)

www1.diba.cat

European Parliament declares climate emergency

Fri, 29 Nov 2019 00:00:00 +0100

On 28 November, four days before the start of the UN Climate Change Conference in Madrid, the EU Parliament in Strasbourg voted by a large majority for a resolution declaring climate emergency in the European Union, Euractiv reported. The resolution was adopted by 429 votes in favour, 225 against and 19 abstentions during a plenary vote in Strasbourg.

The climate emergency has a more symbolic character and is piling pressure for concrete legislation. This should underline the urgent need for action on climate change, the Parliament said. He is "proud to have achieved a majority in the European Parliament to make Europe the first continent to declare a climate and environmental emergency", said Pascal Canfin, chairman of the Environment Committee. He hopes this will meet the expectations of European citizens.

In the resolution, parliamentarians called on the EU Commission, the Member States and global players to take immediate and concrete action against climate change. In addition, the new EU Commission under President Ursula von der Leyen must examine all its work for consequences for the climate and the environment. Members of the Social Democratic, Liberal, Green and Left Party in particular voted in favour of the resolution. MEPs from the Conservatives, on the other hand, sharply criticised the decision.

Concretely, the EU Parliament confirmed its demand to reduce CO₂ emissions by 55 percent by 2030. In addition, the EU should become climate neutral by 2050. Green and left-wing MEPs had declared even more ambitious targets in their own resolutions, but had not achieved a majority.

Read more

Which Project Development Assistance facility should you apply for?

Thu, 28 Nov 2019 00:00:00 +0100

Many of the signatories to the Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy have used Technical Assistance (TA) facilities to develop projects in the framework of their Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAP). In a new guidance booklet, in the development of which Climate Alliance was involved, you will find lessons learnt by cities and regions all across Europe which benefited from – or are currently using – one of the TAs with the aim to help future beneficiaries in the application process.

This booklet focuses mainly on the H2020 Project Development Assistance (PDA), previously funded under the Intelligent Energy Europe programme as MLEI (Mobilizing Local Energy Investments) instruments. The PDA helps you build capacity to deliver investment projects, and brings energy efficiency and renewable energy up on the radar of politicians. Moreover, it enhances cross-collaboration across departments in one public authority and it builds trust and coordination between different governance levels, e. g. regions and municipalities. The European Local ENergy Assistance (ELENA) and European Energy Efficiency Fund Technical Assistance Facility (eeef TAF) are also explained.

Read more

Guidebook “Project Development Assistance”

Job offer: Project Manager for Innovative Financing, Buildings and EU Policy

Tue, 26 Nov 2019 00:00:00 +0100

Climate Alliance is a non-profit association uniting local authorities and indigenous rainforest peoples in their efforts to mitigate climate change. Climate Alliance currently counts over 1700 member cities, municipalities and regions in 26 European countries. Its activities are coordinated by the European Secretariat based in Frankfurt (DE) and Brussels (BE).

Climate Alliance supports its members in achieving their voluntary commitments of reducing CO₂ emissions by ten percent every five years and to halving per capita emissions by 2030 (base year 1990). Among other activities, the network advocates for an improved legal framework for local authorities and for heightened recognition of their role in the European climate and energy policy, as well as for funding opportunities for local authorities for the implementation of their climate strategies. Climate Alliance is involved in several EU funded projects and is looking for an experienced project manager to support its team in the areas of innovative financing and energy efficient buildings.

YOUR TASKS
Project management focusing on:

Daily management and liaison with project partners and national and municipal stakeholders
Liaison with the European Commission and further donors
Coordination and organisation of events and webinars, such as on financing sustainable energy investments
Reviewing (country specific) reports on sustainable energy investments, as well as Sustainable
Energy and Climate Action Plans
Communication, capacity building and peer-to-peer learning activities in cities across Europe
(Financial) reporting
Ensuring the timely delivery of the project deliverables
Ensuring synergies with related projects, the Climate Alliance permanent working groups as well as related policy work carried out by Climate Alliance

QUALIFICATIONS

Required skills:

5 years of experience in project management
Fluency in spoken and written English, proficiency in French and other EU languages is an asset (should Frankfurt be the place of work, German fluency is required)
Strong communication skills in written and public-speaking formats,
Excellent organisational skills, the ability to multitask and to work in a team
Proactive approach and a high level of autonomy
Willingness to travel within the EU frequently

Preferred education & experience:

Profound knowledge of EU funding and EU policy in the field of climate, energy, sustainable financing and energy efficient buildings
Experience in the management of EU funded projects
Experience in working with local authorities
Knowledge of energy efficiency business models (such as energy performance contracting, one-stop-shops etc.)
Master’s Degree in relevant field (e.g. environment, energy, climate change, urban and regional planning, EU policy); a background in economics is an asset

CONTRACT

The corresponding assignment is based on a full-time basis initially for 2 years and will start as soon as possible based at the Climate Alliance Secretariat either in Brussels, Belgium or Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

APPLICATION

To apply, please send a motivation letter and your CV to Andreas Kress at europe(at)climatealliance.org by 11 December 2019.

Applicants must have the legal right to be employed in the EU. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

View this job offer as a pdf

CONTACT
Andreas Kress
+49 69 7171 39 -0
europe(at)climatealliance.org

ChangeNOW Summit in Paris

Mon, 25 Nov 2019 00:00:00 +0100

ChangeNOW is an international event to boost the innovations that can have a positive impact on the world. This third edition will take place from 30 January to 1st February 2020 in Paris. It will bring together solutions and innovations from around the world to shape sustainable food systems, explore new models of education, build sustainable cities, promote behavioural change, generate sustainable energy, increase local resilience, and many more.

The Covenant of Mayors Europe has opened a call for all local politicians to participate in a Mayors’ delegation for the ChangeNOW International Summit and join a dedicated programme for cities and regions. Mayors will have the opportunity to meet innovators in the field of energy, climate and environment, fellow politicians from all over the world, and to display their achievements in conference sessions on urban biodiversity, smart cities and mobility.

This call is open for all EU elected city representatives of the European Covenant of Mayors Community. Selected local politicians will have their entrance fees to the conference covered. Travel costs will be at participants’ own costs. Members of the delegation will be selected based on municipalities’ size and geographical balance.

Read more

Covenant of Mayors Delegation
Programme of the delegation
Application form – Closing date 13 December 2019

Six EU islands publish clean energy transition agendas, putting citizens first

Wed, 20 Nov 2019 00:00:00 +0100

Six European islands have published their clean energy transition agendas, making a firm step towards decarbonising their energy systems with a strong focus on citizen engagement. Selected by the Clean Energy for EU Islands Initiative of the European Commission in February 2019, the Aran Islands (Ireland), the Cres- Lošinj archipelago (Croatia), Culatra (Portugal), La Palma (Spain), Salina (Italy), and Sifnos (Greece) have each developed decarbonisation pathways tailored to their individual needs and assets over the past nine months.

Read more

www.euislands.eu
The Aran Islands will install community-owned wind power, retrofit homes, and deploy heat pumps or other renewable energy sources for domestic hot water and space heating
The Cres-Lošinj archipelago aims to completely decarbonise its energy system by 2040. This will be done in part through community-owned solar farms.
Culatra will work towards 100% renewable energy self-consumption, which will be owned by the local community.
La Palma aims for full decarbonisation and self-sufficiency in the energy sector. The island transition team puts a strong focus on building a resilient island energy system, actively involving the more than 100 local associations who committed to supporting the island’s transition.
Salina aims to increase public awareness on energy and environment. Salina will decarbonise its power generation plants, switch to 100% electric/hybrid mobility on the Island, increase efficiency in its buildings and decarbonise its maritime transport.
Sifnos aims to become 100% renewable and self-sufficient, and has developed a number of pathways the island could follow to achieve this goal. Any installations will be co-owned by the local community and private investors.

Islands Transition Handbook – How to develop your island’s clean energy agenda

Thu, 14 Nov 2019 00:00:00 +0100

The Clean Energy for EU Islands Secretariat has published the Islands Transition Handbook, an action-oriented guide to help islands navigate the transition towards clean energy. The handbook instructs on how to develop a Clean Energy Transition Agenda and provides inspiration for the next steps as well as a check-list for clean energy transition management.

The handbook brings together valuable experience from the Clean Energy Transition Agendas that are already being implemented on a number of front runner islands. It provides background, practical examples for the transition, tools for implementation, suggestions for further reading and performance indicators for self-assessment of the ongoing process.

The Clean Energy for EU Islands Secretariat was created by the European Commission to facilitate the clean energy transition on EU islands from the bottom up. Climate Alliance coordinates the consortium that currently constitutes the Secretariat and has actively supported work on the handbook.

Learn more

OECD study shows unexploited potential in Germany’s public procurement

Wed, 13 Nov 2019 00:00:00 +0100

The German public procurement law reform that came into force in 2016 enables a more modern and flexible procurement practice in Germany. Nevertheless, important potentials fall by the wayside, the magazine C.ebra reports on the results of an OECD study.

An important recommendation of the study is to bundle the awarding of contracts in Germany more strongly. If the needs of different agencies are recorded centrally and contracts are awarded in a bundled manner, costs and bureaucracy are reduced. Germany also has some catching up to do in the area of digital procurement. In many other OECD countries, a much larger proportion of public procurement is digitally controlled.

Increasing digitalisation of public procurement and stronger networking of electronic procurement systems at federal, state and local level would have the advantage of making it easier to collect and compare data. This data could then be used to continuously optimise awarding practice. In addition, Germany should invest in the professionalization of its procurers. Many of them are generalists, lacking the specific training often required in this area.

Read more

Article in the magazine C.ebra (in German)
OECD study (in English)

Incentives to change mobility behaviour: Results of the SaMBA project

Mon, 11 Nov 2019 00:00:00 +0100

Latest results of the SaMBA project show the impact pricing policies, free travel cards or monetary rewards can have on travel behaviour. These preliminary findings can help municipalities elaborate reward and pricing systems to trigger long-lasting behaviour change. They include information on system design, detailingg methods of co-creation that can be used to draft schemes together with important local actors. The results will go into the making of a tool to measure the policy impact of rewards and pricing schemes.

Climate Alliance is part of the SaMBA consortium. The project is made possible via the EU’s Interreg programme.

Read more

Report on Reward/Pricing Policies for Behaviour Change (pdf)
Co-creation of reward/pricing schemes: methodology (pdf)
about the EU project SaMBA
Contact via Janina Emge, j.emge(at)climatealliance.org

POWER Awards for sustainable water innovation presented

Fri, 08 Nov 2019 00:00:00 +0100

One of the highlights of the POWER conference in Brussels was the Award Ceremony on 10 October. There, the winners of the POWER Best Practice Award for Sustainable Water Innovation and of the POWER Idea Contest for Sustainable Communities presented their ideas and projects to the audience. Both are part of POWER's vision to engage different groups of people with sustainability and water-related topics, thus establishing an international network of water-wise communities.

The POWER Best Practice Award for Sustainable Water Innovation was given to the most innovative and impactful projects submitted to the POWER best practice repository – a global network of water management projects and water-wise communities. Of all 64 eligible for the award entries, the POWER jury selected three projects that showed outstanding results in their work in the fields of extreme water resilience and water reuse, namely:

BRIGAID (Antwerp, Berlin, Tirana, Valladolid)
INSPIREWATER (Tarragona)
RainAhead (Lübeck)

In addition, the authors of the ten best ideas submitted for the POWER Idea Contest for Sustainable Communities were honoured. Throughout the course of the contest more than 140 innovative proposals were submitted. The winning ideas from eight European countries will now be further developed together with water and sustainability experts and supported in their implementation.

List of ideas

Read more

About the EU project POWER

Three Climate Alliance members in Italy among the top ten environmental cities

Tue, 05 Nov 2019 00:00:00 +0100

Bolzano, Pesaro and Ferrara occupy the 3rd, 6th and 10th place in the ranking of the environmental performance of more than 100 major Italian cities, according to the Ecosistema Urbano 2019 study by Legambiente, Ambiente Italia and Il Sole 24 Ore. More than 30,000 data were collected and evaluated on the basis of 18 parameters.

The City of Bolzano (107,300 inhabitants) can underline with the third place the tradition that it has long considered as a protagonist of good and excellent achievements. It has a good public transport system and the installed renewable energy capacity of public buildings has increased from 3.5 kilowatts to 3.92 kilowatts per thousand inhabitants. Nitrogen dioxide levels decreased and there were significantly fewer ozone warning days. In addition, the South Tyrolean provincial capital has one of the best values for the indicator of space efficiency in relation to inhabitants: Last year, it achieved 8.5 points, this year already 9.35 out of a total of 10 achievable points.

The City of Pesaro (94,700 inhabitants) has made a great leap forward: from 17th place to 6th place. The city in the region of Marche confirmed its success as a bicycle city with ninth place, just as it did at Bicipolitana. It achieved ninth place in the infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians. The three indices for air pollutants, which were already well below the limit values, improved again. Water consumption per capita fell and water losses also fell from 32.1 to 27.6 percent.

The City of Ferrara (131,800 inhabitants) reached the tenth place, a huge leap forward from 38th place last year. The ozone values were only exceeded on 28.5 days instead of 53.5 days; the values for nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter were below the limit values all year round. The provincial capital in the region of Emilia-Romagna has taken the lead with 86 percent in the separate collection of waste, thus increasing the value of the previous year by 36 percent.

The three Climate Alliance cities in Italy are excellent examples of the guiding principles of our work: to combine the protection of the global climate with a sustainable future for our living space.

Read more (in Italian)

lab24.ilsole24ore.com

Use the POWER community platform for citizen participation

Fri, 01 Nov 2019 00:00:00 +0100

Your municipal administration would like to intensify the exchange with citizens and provide them with professional information on current issues in an uncomplicated way? Then the POWER Community Platform could be the right instrument for your city or municipality.

In a newly published brochure about the Internet platform for citizen participation, the individual elements that can be adapted to your local needs are presented. You will get to know the exchange and networking possibilities within the framework of the POWER database, the socio-political initiative ‘ConCensus’ to mobilise joint action in a municipality and much more. In addition, the different experiences of the cities of Jerusalem, Leicester, Milton Keynes and Sabadell, which have already worked with the community platform, will be presented and evaluated.

The EU project POWER, in which Climate Alliance is involved and in the framework of which the brochure was made, deals primarily with the topic water, but also all other environmental topics can be taken up by your city or municipality with the POWER Community Platform. For the German POWER Follower-City Hanau the POWER platform was adapted to the topics climate change and heat in the city.

Read more

www.power-h2020.eu

CaSCo Video Award

Thu, 17 Oct 2019 00:00:00 +0200

There are many reasons to use and love wood: It is a unique, multifunctional material, relaxes our senses and pleases our eyes. It even has psychological effects on people and a similar stress-reducing effect to nature, as Scandinavian scientists found out lately. Environments with wooden structures cause a drop in blood pressure and pulse and have a calming effect. This is based on the positive emotional experience that wood causes, such as proximity to nature, warmth, homeliness and a relaxing effect. Thus the use of wood promotes the health and well-being of mind and body.

Furthermore wood is an extremely sustainable building material. Already during its growth in our forests, wood as a building material makes an active contribution to climate protection. That´s because each tree stores the greenhouse gas CO₂. Short transport distances and a regional processing chain also contribute to the preservation of the climate. The shorter the supply chains the less greenhouse gas emissions are created in general.

Everyone who uses or owns wooden constructions or objects made of regional timer from sustainable managed forests, such as houses, urban furniture, wooden designs or even children´s toys can be sure of the positive impact on the environment and oneself.

If you are one of those lucky persons you shouldn´t miss the chance to take part in our video award: Let us know the story behind your wooden home or object, no matter if it´s a construction or a beloved product like the antique coffer of your ancestors. Tell us what makes it special to you: Which forest does it come from? What is it like to live in a wooden house or to create or use a wooden work of art?

To participate you just need to take a short smartphone video (maximal 3 minutes) and send it to us the latest by 15 January 2020. Afterwards we will promote it. The videos with the most clicks and likes will be the winning ones. You can win a skill tower game, naturally made of high-quality wood from sustainable forestry, which is suitable for all ages and ideal for outdoor play.

The award is organised by the CaSCo project, an EU project coordinated by Climate Alliance to raise awareness of the use of regional wood.

Learn more

About the award via Christiane Kretschmer, Tel. +49-69-717139-38, c.kretschmer(at)climatealliance.org
About the project CaSCo

Climate Active Neighbourhoods takes EU Regiostars award for climate resilience

Thu, 10 Oct 2019 00:00:00 +0200

A Climate Alliance led project on bottom-up strategies to reduce energy use in has won the EU’s Regiostars award in the category of “Building Climate Resilient Cities”. EU representatives presented the award on the evening of 10 October in a ceremony in Brussels. The Climate Active Neighbourhoods project has been helping municipalities implement their climate action strategies more effectively with neighbourhood-based, participatory approaches. Since 2016, the initiative has empowered residents of underprivileged neighborhoods across Northwestern Europe to take action on climate change locally with the support of their municipalities. Through the project, municipalities employ innovative financial tools, home energy visits for retrofitting, new models for citizen engagement and governance models to tackle energy poverty, improve energy efficiency and bolster a sense of ownership locally. Climate Active Neighbourhoods is funded by the EU’s Interreg NEW programme and is carried out by a consortium from Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK. The Regiostars Award honours EU-funded projects demonstrating excellence and innovative approaches in regional development.

Futher information

_{Photo: European Commission Representation Belgium, via Twitter}

88 cities denounce human rights and environmental abuses in Amazonia

Fri, 27 Sep 2019 00:00:00 +0200

Local authorities from across Europe have passed a declaration in the German city of Rostock demanding joint action to protect indigenous peoples of the Amazon Basin and the Amazonian rainforest. “The balance of Mother Earth depends on the Amazon Basin; allowing its devastation implies the extermination of humanity,” explains Robinson Lopéz Descanse, Climate Alliance Vice President and Coordinator for Climate Change and Biodiversity of COICA, Amazonia’s umbrella association for indigenous organisations. In August, COICA followed the example of over 60 Climate Alliance municipalities by declaring its own climate emergency. Rostock declared its own Climate Emergency on 25 September.

The statement calls for a halt to Mercosur talks until deforestation and human rights abuses are stopped as well as the legal recognition of indigenous territories and the ratification of ILO Convention 169 on indigenous rights. The declaration of support was passed during the 28th Climate Alliance International Conference, where 175 participants representing municipalities, NGOs and governmental organisations from 18 countries have gathered to discuss topics including climate policy, climate justice, sustainable mobility and community engagement in climate action. The event also marks 25 or more years of dedicated Climate Alliance membership for 195 municipalities. This year’s conference is part of Rostock’s climate week from 22 to 27 September.

Futher information

Declaration of support, voted by the Climate Alliance General Assembly (updated on 28.10.2019)
Photos for use by the press
Open letter from COICA
Information on Amazonia in flames
2019 Climate Alliance International Conference
COICA as Climate Alliance partner organisation
Climate emergency declarations of Climate Alliance members
Climate Alliance member list
Rostock Climate Week (pdf, in German)
This press release as pdf

EU Parliament: Forest protection to be discussed again

Tue, 24 Sep 2019 00:00:00 +0200

Since the fires in the Amazon rainforest in Brazil at the latest, forest protection has again become a major international issue. Even though the EU always asserts that contracting parties should be persuaded to protect the environment, this can hardly be enforced in practice. Now the protection of forests is to become one of the priorities of the EU Parliament in the coming months.

Contacted by the media network Euractiv, conservative MEP Peter Liese (EPP) confirmed that the Environment Committee (ENVI) is planning a hearing on the issue. The European Commission will also launch a legislative proposal. “Our forests, not only in other parts of the world but also in Europe, are an essential contributor to climate protection. And on top of that, they are an economic factor,” Liese said. The German MEP hopes that the plenary will already debate the deforestation issue in September’s session.

Read more

www.euractiv.com

Design of new “European City Facility” begins

Mon, 23 Sep 2019 00:00:00 +0200

Just prior to last weeks’ climate strikes, a consortium led by city networks in energy and climate began the co-design for a mechanism supporting the mobilisation of local-level climate finance. “It is time for cities to design the instruments they need to finance their energy transition,” explains Claire Roumet of project lead Energy Cities The facility will support municipalities and regions across Europe in mobilising finance, overcoming well-recognised barriers and turning their carbon reduction plans into concrete, bankable projects. Some 200 local authorities will benefit from the facility’s targeted financial, technical, legal and capacity building support. The European Commission supported initiative stands as one of the largest of its kind. Local authorities and regions will be able to apply to make use of the facility to develop credible investment packages on climate as of early 2020.

Further information available via Twitter: @eucityfacility.eu

COICA invites Greta Thunberg to a visit into the rainforest

Wed, 11 Sep 2019 00:00:00 +0200

During an event in New York on 9 September 2019 the Vice Coordinator of COICA invited Greta Thunberg to a visit.

Naomi Klein, Canadian journalist, social activist, and filmmaker interviewed Greta Thunberg during the “The Right to a Future” event, which was attended by young climate activists. Tuntiak Katan, Vice Coordinator of COICA, then spoke about the Amazon crisis during a lecture. He handed to Greta an invitation letter from COICA in which the indigenous peoples ask her to visit them to learn more about the life of the indigenous communities.

Find out more

Video of the event with the interview and the lecture

Feedback to the winners of the POWER Idea Contest for Sustainable Communities

Fri, 23 Aug 2019 00:00:00 +0200

More than 140 entries were submitted for the Idea Competition for Sustainable Communities, which was carried out as part of the EU POWER project and in which Climate Alliance is involved. They work on concepts and solutions for local water and sustainability problems. Ten ideas, most from the four participating cities of Jerusalem, Leicester, Milton Keynes and Sabadell, have been honoured as winners. Find out more about these project proposals and improve them with your feedback!

Read more

leicester.power-h2020.eu

Survey on the Copernicus Climate Change Service

Thu, 22 Aug 2019 00:00:00 +0200

The Climate Adaptation Partnership under the Urban Agenda has developed a public survey for Action K1 of the Action Plan. The purpose of the Action is to improve the EU municipalities’ knowledge in the framework of Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) to better plan climate adaptation strategies.

The survey has been set up to establish how cities and municipalities can effectively use the climate data made available via the Climate Data Store (CDS) of the Copernicus Climate Change Service to develop their climate adaptation plans. Based on this survey, trainings will be set up tailored to the needs on the use of the C3S CDS.

Therefore the Climate Adaptation Partnership kindly invite you to participate in the survey if you are a local authority that can help us better understand why (not) the C3S CDS is used and how we can improve this service.

The survey will be open until the 30 September 2019.

Read more

ec.europa.eu/futurium

New platform for European-Chinese exchange on sustainable urbanisation

Mon, 19 Aug 2019 00:00:00 +0200

Sustainable urban development is not only an issue for Europe, but also for China's fast-growing cities, because energy- and resource-efficient solutions save CO₂ and protect the global climate. The new online platform EC-Link (in English and Chinese) is a cross-sector interdisciplinary platform for sustainable urbanisation that aims to connect important interest groups in Europe and China.

The aim is to connect resources and share knowledge on environmental sustainability and urban development between EU and Chinese cities. The EC-Link platform offers an online side to connect with other expert and professional who will exchange ideas, share knowledge and contribute insights on the sector’s main trends and changes.

Participate in the networking between European and Chinese experts on sustainable urbanisation. Share ideas, projects and initiatives via the platform. Register and support municipal European-Chinese cooperation on sustainable urbanisation!

Read more

Indigenous leaders link rights violations with Amazon deforestation

Wed, 07 Aug 2019 00:00:00 +0200

Two indigenous leaders have spoken out on the connections between mega-projects in the Amazon basin and indigenous rights abuses, climate degradation and the assassination of indigenous activists. “Years have passed since the creation of Convention 169 and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, yet indigenous peoples and local communities are still being systematically eliminated as a result of large-scale natural resource extraction in the form of oil drilling, mining, agro-industry, hydroelectricity and deforestation,” explains Tuntiak Katan, vice president of COICA and coordinator of the Global Alliance of Territorial Communities. Katan has appeared in a video message denouncing the killings of indigenous leaders along with a related message from Robinson López Descanse, vice president of the Climate Alliance's city network, calling for the protection of indigenous territories and the ratification of the ILO Convention 169 on indigenous rights.

“The protection of indigenous territories in the Amazon translates directly to rainforest protection and thus climate protection,” explains López, who himself has been the subject of death threats along with several of his colleagues. Especially in Brazil, President Bolsonaro’s plans to massively develop the Amazon rainforest including indigenous lands have triggered further encroachment and deforestation. In June 2019 alone, 769km² of rainforest was cleared in Brazil, an increase of 60 percent on June 2018. The July murder of indigenous leader Emyra Wajãpi in connection with Brazilian mining interests is the latest incident in what has proven to be a rising trend. In his video message, Katan describes how more than 80 indigenous leaders and environmental activists were killed in 2018 in Latin America alone. Both videos come just before the publication of an IPCC report on climate change and land, widely expected to highlight the role of forests in the fight against climate change.

Further information

Video on ILO 169 ratification, Robinson López Descanse
Video on murders, Tuntiak Katan by AGCT
Further videos of indigenous leaders supporting ILO 169 ratification
IWGIA condemns killing of indigenous leader in Brazil
ILO 169 Coordination Group (Germany) website and Facebook page (in German)
COICA declaration in defence of indigenous activists (in Spanish)
Climate Alliance Austria Article on Amazonian deforestation (in German)
IPCC report on Climate Change and Land
This press release as pdf.

CONTACTS

Thomas Brose, Executive Director, Climate Alliance, T. +49-69-717139-31, t.brose(at)climatealliance.org
Sarah Mekjian, Communication Director, Climate Alliance, T. +49-69-717139-20, s.mekjian(at)climatealliance.org

Joint press release by Climate Alliance, Climate Alliance Austria, the Coordinadora de las Organizaciones Indígenas de la Cuenca Amazónica (COICA) and the Alianza Global de Comunidades Territoriales (AGCT).

_{Photo: Juliana Radler/ISA}

Experts for the European Green Capital und Green Leaf Panel wanted

Mon, 05 Aug 2019 00:00:00 +0200

Would you like to be part of the European Green Capital and European Green Leaf Awards?
The European Commission is seeking four experts to join the European Green Capital Award (EGCA) and European Green Leaf Award (EGLA) Expert Panel.

Experts are required in the following four environmental indicator areas:

Green growth and eco-innovation
Sustainable land use
Waste management
Sustainable urban mobility

The expert panel, made up of 12 environmental experts, plays an integral role in the awards process. Both the EGCA and EGLA competitions involve a two-step evaluation process. When cities apply for the award and are deemed eligible each application is reviewed and assessed by the expert panel.

Signed applications must be sent by 30 August 2019.

Read more about the role of the panel and the experts or how to apply

New brochure on adaptation to climate change in the Alps published

Fri, 12 Jul 2019 00:00:00 +0200

The brochure “Adaptation to Climate Change: Good Participation Practice in the Alpine Region” was published recently by the Competence Centre on Climate Impacts and Adaptation at the German Environment Agency. This brochure presents good examples of participation practice when adapting to climate change in the Alpine region. Above all, it is aimed at interested stakeholders from administrative and from civic organisations, particularly on a local and regional level. The examples should inspire the design and implementation of participation formats and give hints for their successful implementation.

The brochure is a result of the EU project “GoApply - Multidimensional Governance of Climate Change Adaptation in Policy Making and Practice” and is available in English, French, German, Italian and Slovenian.

Learn more

Brochure “Adaptation to Climate Change”
Project website

What remains of the Climate Neighbourhoods and the Youth Climate Summit?

Wed, 10 Jul 2019 00:00:00 +0200

Hundreds of people - men and women, adults and young people, experts from local authorities and companies as well as climate-moving non-professionals - visited the Climate Neighbourhoods conference, the ICCA2019, the Youth Climate Summit and the Climate Action Festival in Heidelberg from 20 to 23 May 2019. Mechanisms for successful upscaling of climate solutions were jointly identified.

The Climate Neighbourhoods Newsletter provides information on which approaches have been discussed as successful solutions and have been included into the results.

Read more

Climate Active Neighbourhoods project among the Regiostar Award finalists

Tue, 09 Jul 2019 00:00:00 +0200

The Climate Active Neighbourhoods initiative on neighbourhood-based approaches for energy savings has been named one of five finalists in the Building Climate Resilient Cities category of the EU-wide Regiostar Award. The Regiostar jury announced finalists of each of the award’s six categories during a ceremony today in Brussels. The Interreg Northwest Europe funded Climate Active Neighbourhoods (CAN) project developed bottom-up measures to empower residents and build collaboration with municipalities. Ranging from innovative financial tools to home energy visits for retrofitting measures and from tools for engagement to energy cooperatives and governance models, CAN successfully tackled a range of issues related to energy efficiency, energy poverty and local responsibility. As a finalist, the Climate Alliance led initiative is now in the running to win a Regiostar Award on 9 October in recognition of its contribution to urban development adaptation strategies on local, regional, national and EU levels. CAN is additionally in the running for the public choice award, which is decided on the basis of public voting.

Further information

Regiostar Website
Public choice award voting
CAN website
CAN's Practice Cube, a collection of best practices
CAN Brochure

_{Photo: Jacques Kok}

Survey on the Covenant of Mayors – Development post 2020

Wed, 03 Jul 2019 00:00:00 +0200

For an opinion on the future of the Covenant of Mayors post 2020 the Committee of the Regions is discussing this issue. The Rapporteur Benedetta Brighenti gathers as much feedback as possible and wants to include in her opinion the voices of citizens – of public servants, of businesses, of NGOs and of local politicians interested in climate and energy actions.

Have your say on the future of the Covenant of Mayor and reply to the survey until 31 July 2019!

ec.europa.eu/eusurvey (in all EU languages)

Climate Alliance President Wolter on ICCA2019 and Climate Neighbourhoods

Wed, 26 Jun 2019 00:00:00 +0200

In May 2019, Andreas Wolter, Climate Alliance President and Mayor of Cologne, visited the International Conference on Climate Action (ICCA2019) and the Climate Neighbourhoods in Heidelberg. Read more about his impressions in the interview below.

The ICCA2019 was hosted by the German Federal Environmental Ministry, the State of Baden-Württemberg and the City of Heidelberg. The Climate Neighbourhoods as part of the ICCA were organised by Climate Alliance and ifeu – Institute for Energy and Environmental Research Heidelberg.

While the ICCA aimed at political leaders, the Climate Neighbourhoods addressed local administration, the youth, companies and civil society. ICCA's guiding question “How can vertical and horizontal cooperation lead to the intensification and dissemination of climate mitigation activities and adaptation to climate change?” was modified to fit the Climate Neighbourhoods context into “How can horizontal cooperation on local level lead to scaling up of solutions?”.

The answers to these two questions are summarised in the Partnership Declaration on Collaborative Climate Action, which will be fed into the international dialogue, and the Heidelberg Outcomes, both documents developed in consultation with Climate Alliance.

Read more

The interview with Andreas Wolter (pdf)
About the Climate Neighbourhoods
About the ICCA2019
The Heidelberg Outcomes paper
The Partnership Declaration on Collaborative Climate Action

European project on renewables and energy storage launched

Wed, 19 Jun 2019 00:00:00 +0200

The new European project Store4HUC develops solutions for renewable energies and their storage in historical buildings. “It is not always easy to supply listed buildings with renewable energy and to store that energy: visible changes to the building are not possible and the subsequent installation inside the buildings is often difficult. This calls for imaginative solutions,” explains Dr. Wolfgang Hofstetter of Climate Alliance, city network and Store4HUC project partner.

Store4HUC provides listed buildings with innovative systems for renewables and energy storage. The Bračak castle near the Croatian city of Zabok will see the installation of a photovoltaic system and battery storage. For the inclined elevator in the Italian city of Cuneo, a new storage system will replace the conventional chemical-based battery. In Slovenia, the municipality of Lendava’s library will be connected to the district heating network and a paraffin cell buffer-based energy storage system will be implemented while in Weiz, Austria, the biomass heating plant of the listed church and parish will be supplemented with a hot water storage tank.

The University of Zagreb will also develop software tools to assess both the impact of energy storage in historical neighbourhoods and energy independence.

_{Store4HUC is supported by the Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE Programme funded under the European Regional Development Fund.}

Further information

www.interreg-central.eu
Descriptions of the projects in the four historical centres (pdf)
This press release as pdf.

Contact

Dr. Wolfgang Hofstetter, Tel. +49-69-717139-13, w.hofstetter(at)climatealliance.org

Over 340 civil society organisations call on EU to halt trade negotiations with Brazil

Wed, 19 Jun 2019 00:00:00 +0200

On 17 June more than 340 civil society organisations appealing to the EU to put a stop to ongoing Mercosur trade talks. Climate Alliance and Climate Alliance Austria are both signatories on the joint letter. The document sites the worsening human rights and environmental situation in Brazil. It demands the EU send “an unequivocal message to President Bolsonaro” that it will refuse to negotiate a trade deal under current conditions. It sets an end to human rights violations and further deforestation as well as concrete climate protection commitments as necessary preconditions to any further talks. Since Bolsonaro took office, deforestation as exploded, attacks on environmental defenders and indigenous peoples have skyrocketed and the governmental departments responsible for fighting climate change have been abolished. The EU can use its vast influence not only to prevent a worsening of the current situation, but to greatly improve conditions in Brazil and Amazonia generally. In mid November, Climate Alliance will seek to raise further awareness of the impacts of the EU-Mercosur trade argreement on human rights and the evironment in a dedicated event to be held in Brussels.

Open letter

Video statement series launched: Indigenous partners demand ILO169 ratification

Tue, 18 Jun 2019 14:00:00 +0200

Last week Climate Alliance published a video message from Gregorio Mirabal, president of COICA, the umbrella organisation for indigenous peoples of Amazonia. In the video, Mirabal urges the German Government to ratify International Labour Organisation’s Convention No. 169 – as stipulated in German’s 2018 Coalition Government Agreement. "It is important for a European country like Germany, which is committed to a new vision of energy use, for the fight against climate change," stresses Mirabal.

The Convention is the only international norm to date that guarantees indigenous peoples legally binding protection and entitlement to a wide range of fundamental rights. The International Labour Organisation also calls on states such as Germany, where no indigenous peoples live, to ratify the Convention. Ratification helps protect indigenous peoples’ rights and raises awareness of these rights internationally while also contributing to climate protection.

This is the first of a number of statements that Climate Alliance will publish on the way to the International Day of Indigenous Peoples on 9 August.

Today, Climate Alliance and its indigenous partners are in Bonn to stand up for indigenous rights at the SBSTA, one of the most important preparatory meetings of the UN Climate Conference.

Further information

_{Photo: Gregorio Mirabal during the SBSTA in Bonn}

Registration now open for the 28th Climate Alliance International Conference

Tue, 11 Jun 2019 14:00:00 +0200

Registration for Climate.Cities.Communities. is now open. The 28th Climate Alliance International Conference is set to take place in Rostock, Germany, from 25 – 27 September 2019. At this most important gathering of the Climate Alliance calendar, municipal and regional representatives will investigate strategies for a liveable future. Participants will tackle pressing questions revolving around how best to act on climate change when only parts of its root causes are under municipal control while looking into local strategies and their implementation. Topics such as the mobility transition and the built environment will stand alongside public engagement and adaptation to climate change. In addition to interactive sessions, inspiring plenary discussions and local excursions, participants will have ample opportunity to exchange and learn from one another. This year, Climate Alliance members will again have the chance to shape their network at the General Assembly on 26 September. Participation is free of charge for Climate Alliance members. Registration closes on 16 September.

The conference | Programme | Registration

Cities and towns are declaring a climate emergency worldwide

Wed, 29 May 2019 14:00:00 +0200

Public pressure on national governments to make climate a priority is building. By declaring a climate emergency, you can strengthen this push and send a strong signal locally.

"Current targets at national and international levels are not sufficient to meet the ambition of the Paris Agreement. Everyone must do more. Declaring a climate emergency locally is a way to show that our cities, towns and regions are taking climate issues seriously. That is why my city, Cologne, is in the process of preparing and agreeing upon its own Climate Emergency Declaration. I encourage Climate Alliance members to do the same and join this global movement!" explains Andreas Wolter, Climate Alliance President and Mayor of Cologne.

Dare to be as ambitious as possible and feel free to use and adapt our template as needed. We’ll be in touch soon with videos to help you convince your municipal councils, example resolutions and hints on what to do after the emergency has been declared!

Further information

Contacts

Sarah Mekjian, Tel. +49-69-717139-20, s.mekjian(at)climatealliance.org
Andy Deacon, Tel. +32 2 400 1061, a.deacon(at)climatealliance.org

Boosting low carbon building renovation across Europe

Thu, 23 May 2019 16:00:00 +0200

Oslo, Norway – 23 May 2019. With cities across the world declaring climate emergencies and climate action high up on the agenda for the European elections, this EU-funded project will empower cities to join forces with national governments and industry to decarbonise their existing building stock by 2050. BUILD UPON² will strengthen the effectiveness of the national building renovation strategies required by the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).

Eight pilot cities will actively be involved in the project: Budaörs (Hungary); Dublin (Ireland); Eskişehir (Turkey); Leeds (UK); Madrid (Spain); Padova (Italy); Velika Gorica (Croatia) and Wroclaw (Poland). The cities will develop a multi-level renovation impact framework containing milestones and measurable progress indicators including: emissions reductions, increased employment and improved health. By capturing data at a local level, the framework will link renovation to policy and decision making processes at a national level. The overall aim of the project is to have 10 cities establishing strategies to decarbonise their building stock by 2050.

BUILD UPON² will be led by a consortium of eight national green building councils working with the Buildings Performance Institute Europe and the municipal net-work Climate Alliance, which leads the Covenant of Mayors European Office, representing more than 7,000 local and regional authorities.

In the future, the framework will be used as a blueprint for the EU’s EPBD imple-mentation and cities signed up to the Covenant of Mayors in their efforts to tackle the decarbonisation of their building stock, as well as for governments worldwide looking for guidance in their national building strategies.

Further information

Contacts

Cassandra Silk, Climate Alliance | +49 69 7171 39 -20 | c.silk(at)climatealliance.org
Angela Howarth, World Green Building Council | +44 79 7631 2060 | ahowarth(at)worldgbc.org

International meeting identifies key to successful climate action

Thu, 23 May 2019 00:00:00 +0200

Communication and trust are essential factors for success when it comes to climate action. The more than 200 participants of the Climate Neighbourhoods identified aspects that are decisive for effective climate protection in the areas structure, mobilisation and financing. “For two days, hundreds of local authority, business and civil society representatives as well as young people debated within the framework of the Climate Neighbourhoods. This truly extraordinary mix of actors have come together to work on solutions that can be fed into the international climate process,” explains Andreas Wolter, Climate Alliance President and Mayor of the City of Cologne.

“There are already many good examples. Strengthening the cooperation between actors to make use of the existing solutions is what is needed. The Climate Neighbourhoods have made this possible,” explains Lothar Eisenmann, Managing Director of the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research in Heidelberg. With a special discussion forum for young people, the event also demonstrated the relevance of the young in decision making processes. Even Heidelberg’s residents were able to present their ideas for a future without greenhouse gases as part of an art campaign addressing the next UN climate conference.

As part of the ICCA2019, the results of the Climate Neighbourhoods will flow into ICCA’s overall results as well as the yet to be published Heidelberg Outcomes. ICCA2019 is a milestone on the way to the UN Climate Summit in New York in September 2019 and has been hosted by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, the German State of Baden-Württemberg and the City of Heidelberg. The ifeu Institute for Energy and Environmental Research and the European city network Climate Alliance organised the Climate Neighbourhoods.

Further information

Contacts

Svenja Schuchmann, Tel. +49-69-717139-21, s.schuchmann(at)climatealliance.org
Angelika Paar, Tel. +49-6221-4767-73, angelika.paar(at)ifeu.de

Climate Alliance Annual Report now available

Wed, 22 May 2019 00:00:00 +0200

Climate Alliance has just released its Annual Report and Outlook 2018/2019. The two-part report provides a glimpse of Climate Alliance’s wide-ranging activities in 2018 as well as a look at plans for the coming year. “With this publication we hope to give readers a feeling for just how active our city network is both internationally as well as in our focus countries of Austria, Germany, Luxembourg, Hungary, Italy and Switzerland,” explains Sarah Mekjian, Climate Alliance Communications Director and architect of the document. Climate Alliance split this year’s report into two segments: one covering the activities of the European Secretariat on an international level and one delving into the activities of Climate Alliance’s diverse National Coordination Offices in six European countries. Both parts are now available for download on the Climate Alliance website in English. Climate Alliance will soon also make the national report available for download in German.

Download your copies

Climate Action Call issued as cities worldwide declare climate emergency

Tue, 07 May 2019 00:00:00 +0200

Brussels/Frankfurt, 7 May 2019. Stakeholders across Europe have launched a Climate Action Call today in Brussels. “Hundreds of cities across Europe and the globe are declaring a climate emergency. They are reaching towards zero carbon and setting 100% renewable energy goals, thus contributing to climate justice the world over,” explains Thomas Brose, Executive Director of Climate Action Call signatory Climate Alliance. “It is time for current and future EU policymakers to help turn this local level ambition into a European reality.” The call comes ahead of the EU Heads of State and Government debate on the Future of Europe on 9 May and the European elections from 23 and 26 May. In parallel, more than 200 mayors are sending an open letter to the European Council and its Member States calling for more climate ambition. Signatories of the Climate Action Call demand that current and future EU leaders act on public and local government mobilisation by publicly committing to make climate action a priority in upcoming debates.

The call spells out five steps for the new European Parliament and Commission as well as all EU Member State governments:

Commit to accelerate actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and reach net zero emissions as soon as possible.
Plan the end of the use of fossil fuels and provide strong support to energy efficiency, renewable energy and emission cuts outside the energy sector.
Safeguard a just and fair transition and ensure that the EU increases its support to developing countries to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
Increase efforts to roll out the circular economy and increase resource efficiency.
Recognise biodiversity protection and ecosystem restoration as a crucial component of climate action.

Hundreds of cities, businesses, investors, scientists, faith groups and civil society organisations, including climate, human rights, litigation, citizens’ mobilisation and sports groups have taken up this unprecedented Climate Action Call to pro-foundly alter the way we run our societies and economies and limit temperature rise to 1.5°C.

Further information

Contact

Sarah Mekjian, Climate Alliance, T. +49 69 7171 39 -20, E. s.mekjian(at)climatealliance.org

Climate Alliance and European Committee of the Regions strengthen collaboration

Mon, 15 Apr 2019 00:00:00 +0200

The Action Plan, co-signed in Brussels on 11 April by Climate Alliance co-president Tine Heyse and European Committee of the Regions president Karl-Heinz Lambertz sets out fields of cooperation for 2019-2020 with the aim to continue the fruitful collaboration of the past years. It represents the opportunity to extend the scope and impact of climate and energy action in Europe and globally at a crucial moment in the transition towards a low-carbon and climate neutral society.

On signing the Action Plan, Tine Heyse, President of Climate Alliance, commented: "The coming years will be decisive for shaping European and national climate and energy policies. By joining forces, we will further drive the strategic involvement of cities and regions in these fields and scale up ambitions."

CoR President Karl-Heinz Lambertz added: "This Action Plan is the result of our shared political interest in strengthening the voice of European local and regional governments on climate and energy issues in the EU and on the international scene".

The CoR and Climate Alliance 2019-20 Action Plan foresees cooperation in particular on the fields of the Sustainable Development Goals, the European climate and energy policy framework as well as energy poverty.

Further information

Joint Action Plan

Contact

Lucie Blondel, Tel. +32 (0) 2 400 1060, l.blondel(at)climatealliance.org

Endorsment of the Forest Pledge directed at the European Parliament

Fri, 12 Apr 2019 11:00:00 +0200

Together with FERN, an organisation, that stand up for the protection of forests and their inhabitants, and more than 40 NGOs, forest experts and defenders the Climate Alliance asks future Members of the European Parliament to promote policies to protect and restore forests worldwide an.

In 2016 and 2017 more tropical trees have been lost than in any year before. Only in Brazil a loss of 4.5 million hectare forest area was recorded in 2017, this corresponds to 12 football fields every minute. The main reason for the loss is deforestation, where the space is used for agricultural purposes and the exploitation of natural resources like crude oil. The EU also contributes to this development through its high demand for wood, palm oil, soya, pork, paper, cacao and other economic goods. Between 1990 and 2008 the EU was the largest importer of deforestation in the form of crop and animal products. However, not only in South America, but also in Europa forests are getting destroyed, among other things because of the rising use of wood for energy production.

Forests have multiple functions for the environment and our society. They provide food, water, medicine as well as protection and in doing so they contribute to maintaining natural cycles and preserve biodiversity. Their role as carbon sink gives them a crucial part in stabilising the world climate.

The forest pledge demands concrete actions for the protection of the forests on a global scale as well as the recognition and protection of forest peoples’ territories and rights. The safeguarding of land titles and maintenance of rainforests is an active contribution for the protection of indigenous rights and the global climate. Numbers prove it: around 80% of the most biodiverse areas on earth are inhabited by indigenous people and 30% of the carbon stored in Amazonia lies within indigenous territories.

Despite this, even though 25 resolutions have been adopted during the 4th United Nations Environment Assembly that took place in March, the resolution on deforestation had to be withdrawn – largely also because of strong objections risen by states such as Brazil and Indonesia.

Further Information

The forest pledge
The indigenous concept of the Living Forest
Brochure UNREDDY – A critical look at REDD+

Contact: Silke Lunnebach, s.lunnebach(at)climatealliance.org

Empowering Neighbourhoods for Climate Action

Thu, 11 Apr 2019 00:00:00 +0200

Climate Alliance has released its new Practice Cube tool during the Empowering Neighbourhoods for Climate Action conference today in the Dutch city of Arnhem. “The Practice Cube is meant to inspire climate action on a neighbourhood level,” explains Cassandra Silk, Project Officer at the Climate Alliance city network. Climate Alliance developed the tool together with a consortium of municipal actors from Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK within the framework of the Interreg Northwest Europe funded Climate Neighbourhoods project. The group collaborated for more than three years on methods and solutions for realising a low carbon future, increased energy efficiency and a socially just energy transition on the neighbourhood level. The Practice Cube offers best practice examples for municipalities interested in strengthening local climate action from a bottom-up perspective.

Further information

Children across Europe collect Green Footprints

Wed, 10 Apr 2019 00:00:00 +0200

Since 2002, children have been helping to protect the global climate by every climate-friendly journey – on foot, by scooter or bike, bus or train. Also in 2019 Climate Alliance invited children from all over Europe to participate at “ZOOM – Kids on the Move!” and to add their own ideas for climate protection.

On 9 April 2019, this year's starting signal for the Europe-wide Green Footprint Campaign was given in Hesperange, Luxembourg: The board members of Climate Alliance symbolically sent the children from the day-care centre “Hesper Heesprénger” (Hesperange Grasshoppers) with their scooters, bikes and inliners on their way to South America to collect Green Footprints for the global climate. To date, 50,000 children from eight countries have done so. The Green Footprints will be presented by Climate Alliance at the 25th UN Climate Conference in Santiago de Chile in December and handed over to the climate politicians. It will clearly signal to them that it is time for them to be active now, now that tens of thousands of European children have shown them how easy it is to make progress in climate protection.

Since 2002, children have phrased their wishes for climate protection and have called on the participants in the UN Climate Change Conference to support them with concrete measures and to define and implement specific national and international goals. Thomas Brose, Executive Director of Climate Alliance, accentuates the successful work with the participating municipalities and educational institutions: “It is not only the children here who show that it is important to start with oneself and act together when it comes to climate protection. This is also an important concern for our indigenous partners in the Amazon region. I am therefore looking forward to presenting the engagement of Europe's children at the UN Climate Summit in Chile together with our partner COICA.”

The campaign has evolved over the years, as Climate Alliance has added the subjects of climate justice, consumption and sufficiency. The ZOOM – Kids on the Move! campaign opens up new insights to the world to children at a young age. It introduces the subjects of climate change, sustainability and globalisation. Climate Alliance will continue to attract new participants as well as motivate already participating municipalities. Participation for 2019 is possible until beginning of November.

Contact

Claudia Schury, Tel. +49-69-717139-22, c.schury(at)climatealliance.org

Further Information

Climate action stakeholders to meet: Programme release Climate Neighbourhoods

Thu, 04 Apr 2019 14:00:00 +0200

With the motto “Let's scale-up solutions!” the Climate Neighbourhoods conference will take place on 22 and 23 May 2019 in Heidelberg, as part of the International Conference on Climate Action (ICCA2019). “Situated in the historic city centre, the Climate Neighbourhoods are a unique meeting and exchange space to share ideas on climate action with peers from around the world, find new inspiration and voice recommendations for the UN Climate Conference in Chile” highlights Dr. Eckart Würzner, Mayor of Climate Alliance member Heidelberg.

Everybody implementing climate action projects is invited to apply: companies, civil society and local and regional authorities. All participants have the possibility to share and discuss their activities and projects at the international Climate Neighbourhoods. Young people from all over the world and from Heidelberg are also part of the event, ensuring that the perspectives of future generations are included.

The conference also opens its doors to the citizens of Heidelberg. The Climate Action Festival on Wednesday 22 May 2019 offers a diverse programme. Artists will capture the citizens’ messages to politicians, which will be presented to policy makers.

Following the successful launch in 2015, the Climate Neighbourhoods take place for the second time in the immediate vicinity of the International Conference on Climate Action ICCA2019 of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, co-hosted by the City of Heidelberg and the State of Baden-Württemberg. As in 2015, participants of ICCA and Climate Neighbourhoods come together for a joint opening and closing ceremony.

The conference is organised by the ecological research institute ifeu and the city network Climate Alliance.

Press accreditation: A separate link for the accreditation will be sent with the press invitation to the conference in May 2019.

Further information

Contacts

Svenja Schuchmann, Climate Alliance, +49 69 717139-21, s.schuchmann(at)climatealliance.org
Angelika Paar, Ifeu, +49 6221 4767-73, angelika.paar@ifeu.de

First fair on renewables for communities of the Amazon begins today

Mon, 25 Mar 2019 00:00:00 +0100

Climate Alliance is supporting indigenous communities understand the potential of renewable energies with its contributions to the Energy & Communities fair and symposium in Manaus, Brazil.

"The fair is a good opportunity to exchange with other stakeholders on renewable energy strategies for communities, especially after Climate Alliance’s establishment of a new fund for renewable energies at the 35th anniversary of COICA two weeks ago. We are delighted to be able to support COICA and its member organisations in these questions going forward," explains Thomas Brose, Executive Director of Climate Alliance.

The focus of the fair is on energy strategies in the Amazon region and concrete solutions for communities that do not have access to the public power grid. A special highlight will be the presentation of the Kara Solar project, a solar-powered boat developed in collaboration with the indigenous Achuar people of the Ecuadorian Amazon. Climate Alliance’s indigenous partner organisation COICA will present this pilot project as an important part of its energy strategy for the entire Amazon Basin. Climate Alliance supports COICA in this strategy and will also present the experiences from the long-standing solar lamp project in Peru at the fair.

Climate Alliance and representatives of Climate Alliance Austria participate with various activities and will discuss new ideas and approaches with more than 400 participants from the Amazon region. The co-organisers Instituto Socioambiental (ISA) and Climate Alliance support the event as part of the EU project "Change the Power - (Em)Power to Change".

Further information

Fair and Symposium – Energy Solutions for Communities of the Amazon
Information on the solar boat
News on COICA's 35th birthday
Updates on Climate Alliance live in Amazonia on Facebook and Twitter

Contact: climatejustice(at)climatealliance.org

Photovoltaic array inaugurated in Cologne's twin city of Yarinacocha

Fri, 22 Mar 2019 00:00:00 +0100

On 19 March, a delegation led by Climate Alliance President and Cologne Mayor Andreas Wolter inaugurated a photovoltaic system in Yarinacocha, Peru. "It was an impressive day and we are delighted to unveil the solar plant in cooperation with the city and the university. Climate action means moving from oil and coal to renewable energies – to protect the climate, the rainforests and indigenous peoples," explains Wolter. Since the beginning of 2018, Yarinacocha, in the Peruvian Amazon forest, has been Cologne’s partner city. After a first visit in 2018, a larger delegation of Cologne representatives has now travelled to Peru with Climate Alliance to implement initial projects and plan future cooperation.

After Climate Alliance honoured the 35th anniversary of its indigenous partner organisation COICA in Ecuador with a new fund for renewable energies, Cologne’s delegation joined them in Lima, Peru, for an exchange with indigenous mayors on the subject of climate partnerships. The delegation then began its journey to Pucallpa in the Amazon region. The programme so far has included a visit to the Shipibo community of San Salvador, the opening of the solar roof at the university, an excursion to palm oil plantations and an exchange with the Alexander Humboldt community as well as a visit to the Humboldt Forest.

Further information

News on COICA's 35th birthday
Press release on Cologne's climate partnership
Updates on Climate Alliance live in Amazonia on Facebook and Twitter

Education is vital to preserving our forests

Thu, 21 Mar 2019 00:00:00 +0100

Silke Lunnebach, Climate Justice Project Manager at Climate Alliance, explains, "The key word is: climate justice. Our decisions here in Europe influence the livelihoods of so many people in other parts of the world. This also applies to the forest and its products, which we use every day. The world's population bears a common, albeit differentiated, responsibility for these forests. The ecological, economic and political connections between forests and climate protection are complex and it is important that we understand them. To this end, we have developed numerous educational materials for various age groups. In addition, we constantly try to make the experiences of our indigenous partners tangible here in Europe, for example through climate partnerships, delegation trips and a close partnership that has existed for over 28 years.”

Dr. Andreas Kress, Climate Alliance's expert on forests and tropical timber, adds, "Understanding our forests and keeping them healthy is crucial for our future. From the rainforests of South America to the forests of our member municipalities – these special places keep air, water, soil and people healthy. They play an important role in some of the greatest challenges we face today such as combating climate change and biodiversity loss. Preserving and protecting forests and their functions is therefore something that we need to address locally, regionally and globally".

Further informations

Contacts

Silke Lunnebach | T. +49 69 717139 32 | s.lunnebach(at)climatealliance.org
Dr. Andreas Kress | T. +49 69 717139 33 | a.kress@climatealliance .org

Towns, cities and regions march with youth for the climate

Thu, 14 Mar 2019 00:00:00 +0100

Joint press release of CEMR, Climate Alliance, EUROCITIES, Energy Cities, FEDARENE and ICLEI

Brussels, 14 March 2019. For the first time in Europe’s history, towns, cities and regions are marching along with young people from around the world in a Global Climate Strike for the Future. Six local government networks inspired by the youth’s call to action will join the strike on 15 March in Brussels. They jointly call on the European Union and national leaders to take the necessary steps to address climate change in a just and timely manner.

Their main demand: to take heed of calls by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to limit global warming to 1.5°C. According to the networks, reaching this overarching goal will mean divestment from fossil fuels, urgently rethinking the EU climate strategy and empowering local and regional governments.

Towns, cities and regions call on the EU to entirely divest from fossil fuels
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has disbursed €12 billion in fossil fuel projects since 2013. To adequately address the climate crisis, towns, cities and regions are calling on the EIB to completely divest from fossil fuels. They also call on the EU to do so with the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), in order to create a transformative transition fund. On top of this, they deem it necessary to make more funding programmes available, to replicate successful initiatives and to raise awareness of the benefits of climate and energy policies. This demand reflects a larger call for a shift in priorities: for the limitations of the Earth and the lives of future generations to take precedence over immediate wants and needs.

Urgency of an EU climate strategy that safeguards the future and steps up present action
According to Europe’s towns, cities and regions, the EU must significantly step up and accelerate the overall energy transition, ensuring that rapid progress is made in decarbonising Europe’s energy system. Additionally, an adequately coordinated, durable, long-term climate strategy must be put into place. The energy transition will also have the added value of acting as a strong driver for European cohesion in the long run.

Empowering local and regional governments as a solution to the climate crisis
Policies cannot be functional if they do not take into account the needs and capacities of the towns, cities and regions who will be implementing and experiencing them on the ground. As the areas that will be most impacted, they are eager to contribute to and co-create solutions. To do so, the consistency of ambitions, needs and support between all levels of government is crucial. Local action remains the best way to meet the global challenge of climate change, as it empowers citizens and bridges the gap between communities and policy-makers. In a similar fashion, the Covenant of Mayors can play a crucial role in climate action on the ground.

Download press release as a pdf

Contact

Sarah Mekjian, Climate Alliance
+49 69 7171 39 -20 | s.mekjian(at)climatealliance.org

_{Photo: Gustave Deghilage}

Climate Alliance honours COICA’s 35th birthday with renewable energy fund

Wed, 13 Mar 2019 00:00:00 +0100

The Climate Alliance Secretariat is set to launch a new fund for renewable energies in honour of the 35th anniversary of its indigenous partner organisation, COICA. A team from the Climate Alliance European Secretariat will be joining COICA’s anniversary festivities on 14 March in Quito, Ecuador to officially announce the new fund. Cities and towns as well as other interested parties will soon be able to contribute via the fund and thus support small scale renewable energy projects in Amazonia. Many indigenous peoples either lack access to energy or are reliant on the very fossil fuel companies threatening their existence. Initiatives such as solar lamps and solar powered boats provide indigenous communities with access to clean energy. Climate Alliance has been instrumental in helping the current COICA board embark on a sustainable energy strategy. After COICA’s 35th birthday celebrations, the Climate Alliance team plans to hold talks on climate partnerships with mayors in Lima, Peru and travel on Manaus, Brazil where it will take part in the Energy & Communities Fair on renewable energies.

Further information

About COICA
Energy & Communities Fair, Manaus, Brazil
Updates on Climate Alliance live in Amazonia on Facebook and Twitter

Call provides cities with opportunity to fund partnerships – new deadline 4 March!

Wed, 20 Feb 2019 00:00:00 +0100

The International Urban Cooperation Programme has announced a deadline extension for its latest round of city to city partnerships. The initiative will see European cities with 100,000 or more inhabitants matched with international counterparts facing similar sustainability challenges from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Japan, Mexico, Peru and the United States. Representatives from each city will take part in study tours, staff exchanges, trainings, seminars, etc. and will develop a local action plan to drive sustainable urban development in the selected area. Several Climate Alliance members have been able to take advantage of past calls including Mannheim (DE), Frankfurt (DE), Essen (DE), Hamburg (DE) and Graz (AT). The deadline for submissions for the latest round is now 4 March 2019.

Further information on the IUC call

IUC call information
IUC call application (deadline 4 March)
IUC call FAQ
City-to-city pairings from previous calls

Cycling in Dessau-Roßlau: A concept becomes reality

Fri, 15 Feb 2019 00:00:00 +0100

The goal is clear: The city of Dessau-Roßlau will become a bicycle city and increase the proportion of bicycle traffic in the modal split from 20 percent today to 30 percent. There is a lot to do. The bicycle traffic concept adopted in January 2016 lists the measures necessary for a bicycle-friendly development. Therefore the competence of municipal departments and many other actors from the population as well as associations, networking in the working group “Bicycle-friendly city”, is used. The spectrum of topics is diverse and ranges from current construction measures, the construction of parking facilities, the evaluation of accidents, the organisation of events to the discussion of deficiencies in bicycle traffic facilities.

The focus of implementation in 2019 will be on bicycle parking facilities. A total of 500 facilities are planned by 2020. The sites are located in places with high visitor numbers, such as Theaterplatz, Tierpark, shopping centre and cinema. The parking facilities consist of high-quality bicycle brackets that allow the bicycle frame to be locked securely.

Read more (in German)

verwaltung.dessau-rosslau.de

Don Camillo and Peppone in Hartberg

Fri, 25 Jan 2019 00:00:00 +0100

In the Climate Alliance municipality of Hartberg in Austria you should dress warm from now on - not only because the weather has become wintry. But also because the two heads of municipality and parish are facing a special competition. For one year (January to December 2019) the mayor and priest of Hartberg want to compete - but it is neither about speed nor strength, but about the good cause. Nevertheless it could be that between the two in this year sometimes the sparks fly, i.e. if they compare their energy cost bills: Mayor Marcus Martschitsch and Priest Josef Reisenhofer are now facing up to an energy-saving competition that has never before been held in this form in Austria.

Read more (in German)

steiermark.klimabuendnis.at

^{Photo: municipality of Hartberg}

Guidance on adaptation for Covenant cities updated

Thu, 24 Jan 2019 00:00:00 +0100

The revised Urban Adaptation Support Tool (UAST), jointly developed by the Covenant of Mayors Office and the European Environment Agency, is now available.

The aim of the UAST is to assist local authorities in developing, implementing and monitoring climate change adaptation plans. UAST was developed as a practical guidance for urban areas. It outlines all the steps needed to develop and implement an adaptation strategy and makes references to valuable guidance materials and tools. The tool offers valuable support to both the local authorities that are just starting on the adaptation planning and to those more advanced in the adaptation process.

Read more

climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu

Call for Interest on selecting four pilot cities

Thu, 17 Jan 2019 00:00:00 +0100

The challenge: Over the last few decades, European cities have been characterized by migrant flows that have resulted in the growth of multicultural societies and the creation and expansion of non-native communities. At the same time, cities are increasingly investing in strengthening their adaptation capabilities to climate change, learning how to live with natural disasters, building in places and ways which take into account the possibility of disasters happening and developing as well as approving policies, regulations and plans for resilience enhancement in the short, medium and long run.

The objective: The European project AMARE-EU focuses on developing concrete, low-cost and easy-to-be-applied solutions to involve and inform citizens of different origins in making their own city a better and safer place to live.

The answer: If your city is interested in topics like prevention, preparedness and resilience against disasters apply as a pilot city for the AMARE project. You will receive free assistance and mentoring support from the EU project to increase your capacity of merging prevention and resilience strategies with actions focused on enhancing inclusion and integration.

Candidate your city until 15 February 2019 to become one of the pilot cities!

Read more

www.amareproject.eu

What happened in 2018 for the Covenant of Mayors in Europe?

Mon, 14 Jan 2019 00:00:00 +0100

In a constantly evolving policy context, the Covenant of Mayors Community has achieved great results. Supported by the Covenant of Mayors Office with capacity-building events and materials, tailored information, international visibility and more 2018 has been full of challenges, and successes!

Take a look back at the past year with the 2018 Annual Report of the Covenant of Mayors in Europe.

The “2018 Annual Report of the Covenant of Mayors - Europe” is available in English in the online library of the Covenant.

Eider José Perafan Ramirez has died

Fri, 11 Jan 2019 00:00:00 +0100

Eider José Perafan Ramirez, former member of the Executive Board of Climate Alliance and COICA Coordinator, has left us. As the leader of the indigenous Cubeo people in Colombia, he has fought tirelessly for indigenous rights and for the conservation of the rainforest. He has now lost the battle against his cancer.

Eider José Perafan Ramirez served the COICA - Climate Alliance’s indigenous partner organisation - as Coordinator for Climate Change and Biodiversity from 2014 to 2018. In this function, he represented the COICA from October 2016 to October 2018 as Vice President in the Executive Board of Climate Alliance. He personally participated in the International Conference of Climate Alliance in Krems 2016 for COICA and reported on his work.

We mourn Eider José Perafan Ramirez.

comisionddhhpi.com

Climate Alliance events awarded as gender-balanced

Tue, 11 Dec 2018 00:00:00 +0100

Two side events of Climate Alliance at the UN Climate Change Conference on 7 December 2018 have been awarded as gender-balanced by the UNFCCC secretariat. These are the events “Local Climate Action: The Practices Behind the Numbers” together with Climate Alliance Italy, Groupe Energies Renouvelables and GERES as well as “The powers of water - on the way to the sustainable use of nature's driving force” together with INFOE and ASTM.

As a pilot for COP24 the UNFCCC secretariat is pleased to introduce #ActOnTheGAP Action List to encourage equal participation in climate talks. COP24 side event organisers were invited to commit to achieving gender-balance in their panels. #ActOnTheGAP Action List showcases those side events where gender-balance among panellists was achieved and will be updated daily during the COP24 from 3 to 14 December 2018.

Read more

unfccc.int/process-and-meetings

Summary for Urban Policy Makers - What the IPCC 1.5 Degree Report means for Cities

Mon, 10 Dec 2018 00:00:00 +0100

A new publication that translates the key scientific findings and policy observations of the IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C for officials and policymakers of the world's cities and urban areas has been launched. You can read the report here.

A group of sustainability-focused city-networks, associations and NGOs and international organisations working in and on cities worldwide have produced a statement supporting the report and drawing attention to its findings. You can find this statement here.

UN Climate Secretariat recognises children’s action on climate

Fri, 07 Dec 2018 00:00:00 +0100

Today a group of primary school children from Katowice presented their efforts on climate change along with their wishes for the future in a letter to the decision makers at the 24th UN Climate Summit. The pupils underline that their actions will be futile if they - the leaders - do not give them an example.

Andreas Wolter, Climate Alliance President and Mayor of the City of Cologne emphasized that “the children from our twin city Katowice are better role models than us adults. They just spring into action without debating on details year in and year out.”

Over 1,200 schools spread across 9 European countries participated in the 2018 Green Footprints or ZOOM campaign. Together they collected some 2.2 million green footprints. Andreas Wolter presented footprints carrying the expectations of participating children as well as those of municipal representatives to UNFCCC Deputy Executive Secretary Mr. Ovais Sarmad. The ZOOM encourages children to reflect on sustainable mobility and lifestyle choices. This year’s participants were the most active since the Paris Agreement, collecting even more green footprints per child for sustainable travel and behaviour in order to convince the decision makers in Katowice to draw up a strong action plan for our future as well.

Further information

Photos for press use (available as of 14:00 on 07 December 2018)
Participates 2018 come from Austria, Belarus, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Macedonia, Netherlands, Poland and Sweden
Campaign results (pdf)
Campaign info sheet (pdf)
Several wishes of participating children and statements of participating schools (pdf)
Footprints of municipal representatives
Campaign website: zoom-kidsforclimate.eu
This press release as pdf

Contacts

Claudia Schury, Tel. +49-69-717139-22, c.schury(at)climatealliance.org
Angela Hanisch, Tel. +49-69-717139-12, a.hanisch(at)climatealliance.org

Apply for the EUSEW Awards

Thu, 29 Nov 2018 00:00:00 +0100

How are you shaping Europe's energy future? Submit your application in one of the following categories and show how you are helping to meet the EU’s climate and energy goals:

Engagement: For activities that inspire and motivate citizens to make their energy habits more sustainable
Leadership: For activities that are contributing to the long-term objectives of the EU, whilst providing significant socio-economic benefits
Innovation: For EU-funded activities that demonstrate the sustainable energy transition in original and innovative ways
Youth: For activities carried out by, or targeting, people under 30

You can apply for the EUSEW Award until 4 February 2019.

As one of the top 12 shortlisted projects, you will be invited to the Awards ceremony in Brussels during the EUSEW Policy Conference and have the chance to compete for not one, but two Awards. On top of winning a category Award, the coveted Citizens’ Award will be presented to the project that wins the EU-wide public vote.

Read more

about the EUSEW Award
about the EUSEW Week
about the Energy Days
about the winners 2018

Climate Alliance members recognised as frontrunners

Mon, 26 Nov 2018 00:00:00 +0100

Recently published Covenant of Mayors communications materials are giving widespread attention to the efforts of seven Climate Alliance members. The two leaflets as well as a detailed case study are now available via the Covenant of Mayors Library in a wide variety of EU languages. The documents provide a glimpse of the work many Climate Alliance members are doing in the field of energy and climate action. Local strategies to cope with flooding in Cologne (DE), neighbourhood level engagement on energy poverty in Brest (FR) and the opening of an energy efficient environmental education centre in Thermi (GR) are just a few of the inspirational examples featured. The Covenant of Mayors is a global movement of cities committed to fighting climate change with almost 8,000 signatories in Europe alone. Climate Alliance’s leading role in the European Covenant of Mayors Office and as an official Covenant Supporter helps the good practice examples of its members gain even more visibility Europe-wide.

Further information

Adaptation leaflet featuring Cologne (DE), Ober-Grafendorf (AT) and Sant Cugat del Vallès (City of Climate Alliance Member Barcelona Province, ES)
Energy Poverty leaflet featuring Brest (FR), Hasselt (BE) and Vienna (AT)
Case-study on Thermi (GR)
Covenant of Mayors library
Climate Alliance and the European Covenant of Mayors
www.covenantofmayors.eu

Regional timber award honours low-emissions procurement projects

Tue, 20 Nov 2018 00:00:00 +0100

A total of 15 locally-sourced projects throughout the Alps received the Alpine Space Regional Timber Award in recognition of the climate-friendly, regional procurement practices. “From wooden buildings to wooden benches, boats and observation platforms, these outstanding projects show what is possible with regionally-sourced timber,” explains Christiane Kretschmer of Climate Alliance, the city network co-organising the award. Low carbon value chains from the harvesting of wood through to its use make a positive contribution to climate protection. Making use of resources locally can also help reinvigorate regional economies. The Alpine Space Regional Timber Award was open to both public and private institutions that procure or help construct wooden buildings or urban furniture. The award was launched within the framework of the EU-funded Carbon Smart Communities (CaSCo) project.

Further information

Contacts

Sarah Mekjian, Tel. +49 69 7171 39-20, s.mekjian(at)climatealliance.org
Christiane Kretschmer, Tel. +49 69 7171 39-38, c.kretschmer(at)climatealliance.org

Rhineland-Palatinate announces plans to join Climate Alliance

Wed, 14 Nov 2018 00:00:00 +0100

Kaiserslautern/Frankfurt, 14.11.2018. In 2019, the German federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate plans follow in the footsteps of the 25 municipalities in its territory that are already members of the Climate Alliance. Dr. Thomas Griese, Rhineland-Palatinate State Secretary of the Ministry for the Environment, Energy, Food and Forestry, announced the decision in Kaiserslautern on 13 November at the 16th Climate Alliance Municipal Climate Protection Conference. Rhineland-Palatinate will thus become the third German federal state to join the municipal network after Schleswig-Holstein and North Rhine-Westphalia. A total of eight federal states in Austria as well as one in Hungary, in Spain and in Belgium are already Climate Alliance members. Each of the 1,700 members of the Climate Alliance from 26 European countries enters into a voluntary commitment to protect the climate. Founded in 1990, the network encompasses cities, towns and districts as well as entire regions and NGOs.

Further information

Climate Alliance members europe-wide
Members in Germany (pdf)
The 16th Climate Alliance Germany Municipal Climate Protection Conference
Press release (pdf; in German)

Contacts

Dag Schulze, Climate Alliance
T. +49 69 7171 39 -24 | d.schulze(at)klimabuendnis.org
Sarah Mekjian, Climate Alliance
T. +49 69 717139 -20 | s.mekjian(at)climatealliance.org

_{Photo: (left to right) Peter Kiefer, member of the city council of Kaiserslautern; Thomas Brose, Climate Alliance Executive Director; Andreas Wolter, President of Climate Alliance and Mayor of the City of Cologne; Thomas Griese, Ministry of the Environment, Energy, Food and Forestry, Rhineland-Palatinate}_{| View / Kaiserslautern}

60 million kilometres to promote cycling and quality of life

Tue, 13 Nov 2018 00:00:00 +0100

Some 300,000 people took part in the Climate Alliance's international City Cycling campaign between May and September 2018. Together they avoided over 8,400 tons of CO₂ emissions while cycling around 60 million kilometres – more or less the distance between Earth and Mars. In the approximately 900 participating communities in Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland and even Brazil, the bicycle became the main means of transport for many participants during the local three-week campaign periods. "With City Cycling, participants cycle to work and school and even use the bicycle to take care of daily errands. The campaign also helps promote the type of cycling infrastructure needed to make a long-lasting change in mobility habits," explains Thomas Brose, Executive Director of the Climate Alliance city network, which has been running the campaign since 2008. In Kaiserlautern on 13 November 2018, Brose along with Rhineland-Palatinate's Environment Minister Ulrike Höfken and Kaiserslautern's Mayor Dr. Klaus Weichel honoured the most successful municipalities in 2018's City Cycling campaign. Winning municipalities with the most cycled kilometres as well as the most active municipal parliaments were awarded prizes in five size categories.

Further information

Photos for the press (available as of 14.11.2018 at 10:00)
Winning municipalities in 2018
City Cycling website
Climate Alliance website
Press release (pdf; in German)

Contacts

André Muno, Climate Alliance
T. +49 69 7171 39 -11 | a.muno@climatealliance.org
Sarah Mekjian, Climate Alliance
T. +49 69 717139 -20 | s.mekjian(at)climatealliance.org

_{CITY CYCLING
Since 2008, CITY CYCLING has been inviting local politicians and the public to cycle for their municipalities. In so doing, they promote cycling and advocate climate action. Participating municipalities choose 21 consecutive days between May and September during which the campaign is to be implemented. At the end of the season, the kilometres covered are tallied and the top municipalities in three different categories are awarded. This campaign is a unique way to promote climate-friendly mobility in that it reaches out directly to members of municipal parliaments, encouraging them to experience the local cycle path network first hand. These politicians can then implement specific improvements based on their experiences, thus making it easier to travel by bicycle locally. city-cycling.org}

Climate Star 2018 goes to 15 municipalities and regions

Fri, 19 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0200

This year Climate Alliance awards the Climate Star for the eighth time, the best examples of climate action throughout Europe were honoured at Grafenegg Castle in Lower Austria. A total of 15 projects from seven countries were awarded this year, among them, the Hungarian municipality of Kunsziget with 1,200 inhabitants and a generation project, Marcallo con Casone in Italy as a “bike-friendly municipality”. Tübingen in Germany brought home a Climate Star with its climate protection campaign “Tübingen macht blau”, Ghent in Belgium with the Foodsavers Initiative and the municipal network of energy cities in Switzerland with the Seeländer Solarcup. Current or completed climate projects could be submitted. An international jury evaluated the projects according to the criteria of sustainability, multiplier effect, media effectiveness, innovation and involvement of the population.

“The Climate Star is more than just a climate challenge. It has become an interna-tionally known and proven platform for the exchange of innovative ideas, practi-cal solutions and feasible measures for climate mitigation and adaptation to the consequences of the climate crisis. We congratulate all the winners and wish them continued success,” congratulates Thomas Brose, Climate Alliance Executive Director. The gala was hosted by the Federal State of Lower Austria. “Austria holds the EU Council Presidency in this six-month period and is thus the centre of Europe,” explains Deputy Governor Dr. Stephan Pernkopf. “We are therefore all the more pleased to be able to award the European Climate Star awards in Lower Austria. Lower Austria was one of the first regions in Europe to join Climate Alliance 25 years ago and we now have 352 Climate Alliance municipalities – more than any other region. With their support, we are European pioneers in the transformation of our energy systems.”

Representatives of Climate Alliance Austria partners from Rio Negro in Brazil, FOIRN President Marivelton Rodrigues Barroso and anthropologist Renato Mar-telli Soares, were also present at the award ceremony. This year, Climate Alliance Austria and the indigenous organisation known as FOIRN are celebrating the 25th anniversary of their partnership – an truly international success story.

THE CLIMATE STARS 2018

Category 1 - up to 10,000 inhabitants

Böheimkirchen (AT) – Michelbach river habitat
Krummnußbaum (AT) – Internal development before external
Kunsziget (HU) - Multi-generation project
Marcallo con Casone (IT) – Cyclist-friendly municipality
Wiener Neudorf (AT) – Sustainable town rejuvenation

Category 2 - up to 100,000 inhabitants

Ettlingen (DE) - Energy-saving boxes
Judenburg (AT) – Climate action with staying power
Narni (IT) – Zero waste
Schifflingen (LU) – Waste separation is easy and saves money
Tübingen (DE) – Tübingen macht blau

Category 3 - over 100,000 inhabitants

Ghent (BE) - Foodsavers

Category 4 - Local authorities associations

Energiestädte Biel, Brügg, Nidau, Lyss (CH) – Seeländer Solarcup
KEM Sterngartl-Gusental (AT) – Friends of Earth
Kreis Steinfurt (DE) – energieland2050
Ternitz-Umgebung (AT) – Water brings life

Further information

Contacts

Angela Hanisch, T. +49-69-717139-12, a.hanisch(at)climatealliance.org
Hannes Höller, T. +43-664-8539409, presse(at)klimabuendnis.at

New contest supports sustainable municipal water concepts

Tue, 16 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0200

A consortium of cities, SMEs and researchers has just launched a competition recognising the most innovative municipal concepts on sustainability and water challenges. “With the POWER Idea Contest for Sustainable Communities, we want to honour everyone that has an idea worth putting into action – be they university students, concerned residents, local groups or small businesses. Everyone can help local authorities tackle their water challenges to become more sustainable,” explains Nina Stiehr of the Climate Alliance city network, consortium member of the EU-funded POWER project on social platforms for water-related topics. The best applications will be selected via a mix of public and consortium voting. The ten best will be awarded with direct support from experts in the field to further their ideas. Applications must deliver solutions to sustainability challenges that local authorities face and address either climate change, water sustainability, sustainable consumption and production or civic engagement. Social entrepreneurs, innovators, activists, students and others from the EU or Israel may apply via the POWER city websites with their ideas. The closing date for application is 30 November 2018.

Further information

Contacts

Nina Stiehr, Climate Alliance, Tel. +49-69-717139-35, n.stiehr(at)climatealliance.org
Kalina Drenska, European Institute for Participatory Media (EIPCM), Tel. +49-30-20076194, k.drenska(at)eipcm.org

101 organisations call on EU Ministers to green the EU Budget

Wed, 10 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0200

Today EU Ministers for European and Foreign Affairs received open letter de-manding a dramatic improvement in climate action spending in the future EU budget. “It is essential that EU ministers align the next future EU budget with the Paris Agreement and the UN development goals,” explains Andy Deacon, Policy Coordinator at Climate Alliance. EU budget decision greatly influence work in key areas such as energy, transport, agriculture, buildings, waste and international cooperation. The budget thus harbours great potential to better support the just transition to clean and sustainable economies throughout Europe and the world. Climate Alliance signed the letter along with one hundred business associations, think tanks and civil society organisations. This stands as the latest of several letters and declarations pushing for coherency between political goals, financing and action ahead of the 24th Climate Summit in Katowice.

Further information

Climate Alliance elects new leadership

Tue, 09 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0200

Frankfurt, 9 October 2018. The Climate Alliance Board of Directors confirmed Andreas Wolter, Mayor of Cologne, as the network’s new president alongside standing president Tine Heyse, Mayor of Ghent (Belgium) on 9 October. “Our municipalities have a global responsibility. At the same time, our citizens demand more climate protection, an energy and transport transformation as well as green, liveable cities. This includes, in particular, the phasing out of fossil fuels and the rainforest protection," elaborated Wolter on the news of the decision. "These aspects also lie at the heart of Climate Alliance’s work. I am delighted to have the chance to help shape this vibrant and unique network!”

The Climate Alliance General Assembly had unanimously elected both Andreas Wolter and Robinson López Descanse of COICA, Climate Alliance’s key indigenous partner organisation, on 2 October in Barcelona. López, COICA’s new Coordinator for Climate Change and Biodiversity, takes the place of Eider José Perafan Ramirez as the organisation’s vice president. Wolter is preceded by former president Holger Matthäus, Mayor of Rostock, Germany. Both newly elected officials have expressed their desire to intensify work on climate action and climate justice in both European cities and indigenous territories alike.

Further information

_{Photo: (From right to left) Andreas Wolter, Tine Heyse, Robinson López and Holger Matthäus}

Adoption of 1.5°C for many a matter of life or death

Mon, 08 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0200

Thomas Brose, Executive Director of Climate Alliance, explains, "The findings of the IPCC's latest report cannot be ignored and the case to keep global warming to 1.5°C has never been stronger. While a select few profit by damaging the climate further, global changes are pushing livelihoods of many in the Global South to the brink. Municipalities can do much to curb climate change; Climate Alliance member cities and towns underlined this point just last week in their Barcelona Declaration on climate action. The IPCC report stresses the fact that actions of any one sector will not be enough but that, together, we can cap warming to a 1.5°C. In this sense, the concerted efforts of all governments at all levels as well as business and civil society are of the essence since, for many, the difference between 1.5°C and 2°C of warming is simply a matter of life or death. We all have a responsibility to scale up our efforts and work together for rapid and far-reaching change."

Further information

Climate Alliance members reaffirm commitment ahead of 24th Climate Summit

Wed, 03 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0200

Climate Alliance members across Europe have reasserted their pledge to cut emissions by at least ten percent every five years in support of the Barcelona Declaration. “So many cities and towns are undertaking ambitious climate action and have been for some time. These efforts must be taken into account if we are to reach our climate goals on a national or even international level,” explains Andy Deacon, Climate Alliance Policy Coordinator. The Barcelona Declaration underlines that the local level is already doing its part on climate. It calls upon the EU and national governments to build upon the work of cities and regions in order to achieve national and international climate goals. The Climate Alliance General Assembly adopted the declaration on 2 October and presented on 3 October at the network’s annual conference in Barcelona. It comes just before the release of the IPCC’s latest climate report and roughly two months ahead of the 24th Climate Summit in Katowice, Poland. Climate Alliance will be taking the messages of the Barcelona Declaration to Katowice on behalf its some 1,700 fellow members from 26 countries.

Further information

_{Photo: DiputacióBarcelona / MOMOJuditContreras}

Indigenous lands store five times more carbon than previously thought

Tue, 18 Sep 2018 00:00:00 +0200

Indigenous peoples manage at least 17 percent of the carbon stored in some 70 percent of the world’s forests. This is the conclusion of a new study commissioned in part by COICA, the umbrella organisation of indigenous organisations in the Amazon basin. The study is the first to account for carbon stored in the soil in addition to that stored in trees. This more complete accounting means that five times more carbon is stored on indigenous lands than previously assumed. One third of these areas is not formally recognised as indigenous territory and is therefore at risk. The results again illustrate the link between indigenous land rights, forest protection and climate change mitigation.

Further information

Full study “A Global Baseline of Carbon Storage in Collective Lands”
About COICA

By 2030: More electric cars on roads and less car emissions in Europe's air

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 00:00:00 +0200

CO₂ emissions from new cars should be cut by 45 percent by 2030 and market uptake of zero- and low- emission vehicles should accelerate, said Environment Committee MEPs on 10 September.

They proposed setting a higher target for reducing EU fleet-wide emissions for new cars by 2030: 45 percent (compared to the EU Commission’s 30 percent) with an intermediate target of 20 percent by 2025. The draft legislation also sets similar targets for new vans.

Carmakers will also have to ensure that zero- and low-emission vehicles (which emit less than 50g CO₂/km) have a 40 percent market share of sales of new cars and vans by 2030, and 20 percent by 2025.

Read more

www.europarl.europa.eu

Application period for the Covenant of Mayors twinning programme extended

Tue, 11 Sep 2018 00:00:00 +0200

www.climatealliance.org

Covenant Cities in the Spotlight: 1st call for applications!

Thu, 23 Aug 2018 00:00:00 +0200

Ten years after its launch, the Covenant of Mayors initiative is organising an award for signatories that have achieved their climate and energy goals in a structured and coherent way. The Covenant Cities in the Spotlight award is a great opportunity to showcase the progress your municipality has made and stand as an example for the whole Covenant Community and beyond.

The 1^st Covenant Cities in the Spotlight call is now open! Being a “Covenant City in the Spotlight” is a great opportunity to showcase the progress made and become a reference example for the whole Covenant Community and beyond.

The Covenant Cities in the Spotlight call is open to all Covenant of Mayors signatories. In 2018, three signatories in different size categories will be honoured.

Apply here to the 1^st “Covenant Cities in the Spotlight” Awards!

If you have any further questions, please contact giustino.piccolo(at)eumayors.eu.

Read more

about the Covenant Cities in the Spotlight award
about the Covenant of Mayors

Indigenous rights for the rainforest protection

Tue, 07 Aug 2018 00:00:00 +0200

Granting indigenous rights is directly linked with the solution of the climate crisis, emphasise indigenous representatives in the “Declaration of Macapá”, the final document of the COICA conference of all nine indigenous national organisations of the Amazon Basin, which took place in Brazil from 20 to 22 June 2018. Indigenous areas have over 80 percent less de-struction than other areas, and as such protect biodiversity, forests and the cli-mate.

The newly elected COICA board, with José Gregorio Mirabal from Venezuela at its head, focuses on renewable energies - not only as a strategy against climate change, but also to protect the own living space. Their territories are threatened by major infrastructure projects such as hydroelectric power stations and roads, but also by large-scale agriculture, mining and oil production.

“ILO Convention No. 169 is one of the few legal instruments that recognise our territorial, political, economic and cultural rights. That is why it is important that Europe, in the fight against climate change and its new energy strategy, strengthens the indigenous peoples by ratifying the Convention. Only then can we keep contributing to this joint struggle”, Mirabal addresses supporters of the indigenous population in Europe.

In this spirit, the European Parliament decided in July to promote the full recognition and protection of the rights of some 370 million indigenous peoples worldwide. The resolution calls on the EU to respect the rights of indigenous peoples in all its development, investment and trade strategies. It also calls on all EU countries to ratify ILO Convention No. 169.

Luxembourg has already answered this call and was the 23rd country in the world and the fifth in Europe to ratify ILO No. 169. This is exemplary for all EU states, as it shows that even countries with no indigenous population can recognise their rights, thereby strengthening their claims and thus contributing to forest and climate protection. “Where indigenous peoples live and have land rights, the natural environment is preserved. In this way, ratification not only contributes to the protection of human rights, but also to the protection of the global climate”, explains Dietmar Mirkes of Climate Alliance in Luxembourg.

A delegation from COICA will participate in the International Climate Alliance Conference “Connecting Cities - Municipal Solutions to Global Challenges” which will take place in Barcelona from 1 to 3 October 2018 and develop a strategy of cooperation for the coming years together with the member municipalities.

Futher information

Declaration of Macapá (in Spanish)
COICA website (in Spanish)
Cooperation with indigenous peoples
International Climate Alliance Conference
Press photo
This press release as pdf

Contacts

Thomas Brose, +49-69-717139-31, t.brose(at)climatealliance.org
Silke Lunnebach, +49-69-717139-32, s.lunnebach(at)climatealliance.org

New video details benefits of pan-European exchange on energy issues

Tue, 24 Jul 2018 00:00:00 +0200

Climate Alliance has just released a short film illustrating the importance of city to city exchange in initiating bottom-up approaches for energy retrofitting. “We’ve seen that cooperation between local initiatives and city administrations can be very effective and produce great results,” asserts Jörn Klein of Climate Alliance. The video takes a deeper look at the insights, experiences and motivation of municipal representatives, energy agencies, social housing providers and NGOs across Northwest Europe that have joined forces via the Climate Active Neighbourhoods initiative. The Interreg North-West Europe funded project focuses on underprivileged districts in need of renovation by encouraging local administrations to tap into neighbourhood-based approaches in getting residents involved in energy retrofitting.

Further Information

Video on YouTube
Climate Active Neighbourhoods website

European Parliament calls for protection indigenous peoples' rights

Wed, 11 Jul 2018 00:00:00 +0200

On 3 July, the European Parliament adopted a resolution demanding the full recognition and protection of the rights of some 370 million indigenous people worldwide. The final document “calls for the EU to make sure that all its development, investment and trade policies respect the human rights of indigenous peoples” and “appeals to all states that have not yet ratified ILO Convention 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples” to do so. In passing the resolution, MEPs highlighted the destruction of indigenous lands for the mass production of soy and palm oil later imported in the EU, also citing the role of indigenous peoples in climate protection. The Climate Alliance city network has been calling for the recognition of indigenous rights since its birth over 28 years ago. This February, the association’s efforts proved successful in Luxembourg when the country ratified ILO 169. To date, only Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and Luxembourg have ratified this landmark convention on indigenous rights.

Further information

_{Photo: European Union 2018}

Climate Alliance job offers: Ten days left to apply

Thu, 05 Jul 2018 00:00:00 +0200

There are only ten days remaining to apply for one of three openings at the Climate Alliance European Secretariat Brussels Office. Climate Alliance is currently seeking two project officers as well as one project and administrative assistant to join its highly motivated and multilingual team.

EU Covenant of Mayors Office Project Officer
For activities related to the Covenant of Mayors – in particular in the areas of Capacity building, web-development and general management.

Complete job description (pdf)
Contact: Lucie Blondel | Covenant of Mayors Office Head, Climate Alliance

Clean Energy for EU Islands Project officer
For the clean energy for EU islands initiative – in particular in the areas of secretariat management, capacity-building and awareness raising, web-development and stakeholder liaisons.

Complete job description (pdf)
Contact: Alessandra Antonini | Clean Energy for EU Islands Secretariat, Climate Alliance

Project and administrative assistant
For the Clean Energy for Island Secretariat – general support of the Brussels team in terms of management and the implementation of tasks. Halftime (appox. 20 hours a week).

Complete job description (pdf)
Contact: Alessandra Antonini | Clean Energy for EU Islands Secretariat, Climate Alliance

Please be sure to send your application, complete with letter of motivation and CV in Europass format, to brussels(at)climatealliance.org by 15 July 2018 and clearly state to which position you are applying. Applicants must have the legal right to be employed in Belgium.

New COICA General Coordinator enters into strategic talks with Climate Alliance

Fri, 29 Jun 2018 00:00:00 +0200

On 22 June, COICA, the Indigenous umbrella organization for the Amazon region, elected an entirely new board of coordinating directors. Climate Alliance held its first strategic talks with COICA’s new General Coordinator, José Gregorio Mirabal of Venezuela, shortly after the elections in Macapá, Brazil. “The relationship Climate Alliance and COICA have enjoyed over the last almost 30 years is unique – a content-based partnership of two organisations on equal footing,” explains Thomas Brose, Climate Alliance Executive Director. Mirabal and his new deputy are now joined by seven further representatives that will serve the organisation through June 2022 in thematic areas such as natural resources, international relations, human rights, education, family and health. Robinson López of Colombia has now replaced Eider José Perafan Ramirez as COICA’s new Coordinator for Climate Change and Biodiversity. Lopez will run for the vice presidency of Climate Alliance at the network’s 2018 general assembly during the Connecting Cities Conference in Barcelona this October. A significant COICA delegation will join him at Connecting Cities to coordinate the forthcoming cooperation between the two organisations.

Further information

COICA’s newly elected coordinators (in Spanish)
About COICA
Connecting Cities

Apply now for the Covenant of Mayors twinning programme

Thu, 28 Jun 2018 00:00:00 +0200

The Covenant of Mayors twinning programme offers cities, regions and provinces across Europe the opportunity to take part in twinning exchanges to build local authorities’ capacity on climate change mitigation and adaptation. The twinning programme is open to all Covenant of Mayors signatories and coordinators, as well as to cities and regions that are not yet signatories or coordinators, so long as they sign up to the Covenant 2030 framework before their first twinning visit. Climate Alliance members Ghent and Albertslund successfully participated earlier this year. This new call enables European local and territorial authorities to participate in two types of exchanges: mentoring and peer-to-peer. All municipalities, regardless of size, are encouraged to apply as mentors. Those who do will, for the first time, be able to take part in a mentors-only workshop.

The application period has been extended. You can now apply until 28 September.

Further information

Climate Alliance front and centre at the 4th Amazonian Summit in Brazil

Wed, 20 Jun 2018 00:00:00 +0200

On 19 June, Climate Alliance board member Ronald van Meygaarden addressed over 300 representatives of nine Amazon Basin countries at the COICA’s 4th Amazon Summit. “Although our communities are separated by thousands of miles, we face common social and environmental problems,” explained the Mayor of Geldermalsen, (NL) in his plenary contribution on climate ambition. “To tackle climate change, we need to work together and support action at the local level.” During this June's events in Brazil, Climate Alliance is seeking to trigger a discussion within COICA, its indigenous partner organisation, on their energy strategy. The summit focussed on climate change along with other topics of particular importance to the indigenous peoples of Amazonia such as economy of life, self-governance of indigenous territories, infrastructure and post-extractivism, the criminalisation of indigenous peoples and interreligious dialogue. Van Meygaarden is a member of the eight-person Climate Alliance delegation currently in Macapá, Brazil to discuss the many challenges indigenous peoples are currently facing. The event was preceded by the 2nd Congress of Indigenous Women of the Amazon and will be followed by the COICA Congress from 20 to 22 June. A group of 17 young indigenous adults from four Amazonian countries are helping Climate Alliance to document the week’s events.

Further information

Climate Alliance in dialogue with indigenous peoples on the value of renewable energies

Tue, 19 Jun 2018 00:00:00 +0200

On 18 June, representatives of Climate Alliance coordinated a workshop promoting renewable energy resources amongst indigenous peoples in Macapá, Brazil. "The sun, the wind, waterways - indigenous peoples have long relied on these resources for their livelihoods. Looking to them for energy as well gives communities new access to energy and can bring unparalleled benefits in terms of health, family wellbeing and quality of life," emphasised Thomas Brose, Executive Director of Climate Alliance. Energy independence, the impacts of climate change on the Amazon and the role of indigenous peoples in rainforest protection all featured high on the agenda. A Climate Alliance delegation of eight including board members Rainer Handlfinger und Ronald van Meygaarden is currently in Macapá coordinating various meetings for the 2nd Congress of Indigenous Women of the Amazon, the 4th Amazonian summit and the COICA Congress, all taking place back to back from 18 to 22 June with over 300 participants from across Amazonia. A total of 17 young indigenous adults from four countries are supporting the Climate Alliance Team in its documentation of the week's events. Yesterday’s workshop was organised in collaboration with the Instituto Socioambiental, COICA and the WWF and was made possible within the framework of the EU funded project, Power to Change.

Further information

About COICA
Follow the events on Climate Alliance's Facebook page
The Change the Power project

New video raises awareness of the importance of energy retrofits

Fri, 15 Jun 2018 00:00:00 +0200

Climate Alliance has just released a short film detailing the efforts of the network and nine partners across Northwestern Europe to encourage bottom-up approaches on energy retrofitting. “Such measures not only reduce emissions, they also increase comfort and lower energy bills – a huge plus for low income families!” highlights Svenja Enke, project coordinator at Climate Alliance. The video and the activities it highlights have been made possible the EU-funded Climate Active Neighbourhoods (CAN) project. The three-year initiative encourages residents in disadvantaged districts to take charge of their energy use and helps municipalities better support such local movements. This new video presents the role of peer-to-peer learning between the various European cities involved in the project and how this experience will benefit other municipalities in the future.

Further information

Video on YouTube
The CAN project

Climate Alliance Board member Julie Laernoes speaks at EU for Talanoa

Thu, 14 Jun 2018 00:00:00 +0200

Yesterday's high-level EU for Talanoa event opened with board member Julie Laernoes of the City of Nante (FR) speaking on the need to scale up urban climate action. "Cities are acting faster and going further than national governments. The Talanoa process gives us an opportunity to share those success stories more clearly in the UN Climate Negotiations,” commented Laernoes during a session focussing on the question of where we currently stand. The Brussels-based conference was organised by the European Commission on 13 June as part of the EU's contribution to the Talanoa Dialogue. Talanoa stands as an international stocktaking process designed to give stakeholders other than national governments a voice in the international climate negotiations. Individuals, groups and organisations alike may make submissions centring on three main questions: Where are we, where do we want to go and how do we get there? Climate Alliance is preparing to make a submission in advance of this year's climate negotiations in Katowice in December.

Further information

Job offer: Climate Alliance seeks project and administrative assistant

Wed, 13 Jun 2018 00:00:00 +0200

In addition to the two recently published openings for project officers, the Climate Alliance European Secretariat Brussels Office is seeking to further strengthen its team with a project and administrative assistant.

The opening is for a halftime (appox. 20 hours a week) position and the assistant that will support the Brussels team with both the management and implementation of tasks for the Clean Energy for Island Secretariat.

Complete job description (pdf)

Contact:
Alessandra Antonini | Clean Energy for EU Islands Secretariat, Climate Alliance | brussels(at)climatealliance.org

Please be sure to send your application, complete with letter of motivation and CV in Europass format, to brussels(at)climatealliance.org by 15 July 2018. Applicants must have the legal right to be employed in Belgium.

Job offer: Climate Alliance seeks two project officers for climate and energy

Tue, 12 Jun 2018 00:00:00 +0200

The Climate Alliance European Secretariat Brussels Office is seeking two project officers to join its highly motivated and multilingual team.

EU Covenant of Mayors Office Project Officer
For activities related to the Covenant of Mayors – in particular in the areas of Capacity building, web-development and general management.

Complete job description (pdf)
Contact: Lucie Blondel | Covenant of Mayors Office Head, Climate Alliance | brussels(at)climatealliance.org

Complete job description (pdf)
Contact: Alessandra Antonini | Clean Energy for EU Islands Secretariat, Climate Alliance | brussels(at)climatealliance.org

ChangeNOW Summit in Paris – Apply today and be part of the European Covenant of Mayors Delegation!

Thu, 07 Jun 2018 00:00:00 +0200

The ChangeNOW summit, taking place on 28 and 29 September in Paris, is the international rendez-vous, bringing together hundreds of innovators, investors, media, corporates and mission-driven participants, to help scale solutions that can change the world.

Since today the call for all local politicians of the European Covenant community to participate in a Mayors’ delegation for the ChangeNOW International Summit for Change in Paris is open.

Mayors will have the opportunity to meet innovators in the field of energy, climate and environment, fellow politicians from all over the world, and to display their achievements in conference sessions on resilience and sustainable mobility.

Read more

www.covenantofmayors.eu

Local climate action talk submissions now possible

Wed, 06 Jun 2018 00:00:00 +0200

Climate Alliance members have until 15 June to apply for a climate action talk at Connecting Cities, Climate Alliance’s 2018 international conference in Barcelona. “These talks are not only an ideal way for members to inspire other local authority representatives with their good practice examples, they allow conference participants a relaxed space for targeted discussions on shared challenges,” explains Svenja Schuchmann, local climate action talk coordinator at Climate Alliance. Those selected will get a stand of their own at the Climate Alliance Conference and ten minutes to present their initiatives. The format also foresees an additional 20 minutes to exchange with peers on the topic. The local climate action talks take place on the morning of 3 October, the final day of Connecting Cities. Climate Alliance members have just over one month to apply for a stand.

Further information

Climate Alliance well-presented amongst EU Sustainable Energy Award winners

Tue, 05 Jun 2018 00:00:00 +0200

A high-level jury has decided: both the bioenergy park project of the Climate Alliance community of Saerbeck and the European project Peace_Alps were awarded an EU Sustainable Energy Award on 5 June 2018 by Commissioner Cañete during the EUSEW Week in Brussels. The Upper Austrian state capital and Climate Alliance city of Linz made it onto the shortlist.

The jury of experts honoured Saerbeck's bioenergy park in the Consumer category. "With this award, we now also have confirmation at European level that we are on the right track," commented Mayor Roos on the award. "At the same time, the event is an important stage on which Saerbeck can present itself prominently."

The Climate Alliance project Peace_Alps, which supports municipalities in the alpine region to pool local energy and climate efforts, received an award in the public sector category. “The award shows how significant supra-regional cooperation, joint solutions and mutual learning are,” explains Katrin Jürisch, Peace_Alps Project Manager at Climate Alliance. "Such cooperative approaches enable municipalities to master key challenges in the areas of energy retrofitting, energy efficiency and adaptation to climate change.”

This year’s European Sustainable Energy Awards saw twelve finalists competing for five awards in the categories consumers, public sector, businesses, young energy leaders and a special citizen’s award, resulting from public voting. These annual awards honour a commitment to sustainable energy, energy security and energy efficiency and form major pillar of the EU’s annual Sustainable Energy Week Policy Conference.

Further information

_{News piece originally posted 5 June 2018; last updated 8 June 2018}

Climate Alliance Annual Report now available

Thu, 31 May 2018 00:00:00 +0200

Climate Alliance has just released its Annual Report and Outlook 2017/2018. The report gives overview of Climate Alliance’s wide-ranging activities in 2017 throughout Austria, Germany, Luxembourg, Hungary, Italy and Switzerland as well as a glimpse of future plans. “This is the first Climate Alliance annual report to feature the activities of each National Coordination Office in dedicated chapters,” explains Sarah Mekjian, Climate Alliance Communications Director and architect of the report. “It thus not only provides easily digestible information on Climate Alliance activities, it also gives a more complete picture of the city network than past reports ever have.” The publication is now available for download on the Climate Alliance website in English and German.

Download your copy

Climate Alliance project Peace_Alps in the running for the EU Sustainable Energy Award

Fri, 25 May 2018 00:00:00 +0200

Peace_Alps, an initiative through which Climate Alliance working with partners to help pools local energy and climate efforts in the Alpine region, is among the finalists for the 2018 EU Sustainable Energy Awards awards. This year, 12 finalists across four categories are competing for five awards that honour a commitment to sustainable energy, energy security or energy efficiency. A high-level jury will decide the winner in the categories, Consumers, Public Sector, Businesses, and Young Energy Leaders while a public online vote will determine the winner of the 2018 Citizens’ Award. Public voting for this year’s awards is now in full swing. The five resulting winners will be announced and honoured at the Awards Ceremony on 5 June 2018 during the EUSEW2018 conference from 5 to 7 June 2018 in Brussels. These awards form a major pillar of the EU’s annual Sustainable Energy Week Policy Conference.

Further information

Climate Alliance in dialogue with California Governor Jerry Brown

Wed, 23 May 2018 00:00:00 +0200

Coordinator of Climate Alliance Italy Karl-Ludwig Schibel met with California Governor Jerry Brown on 17 and 20 May to discuss steps towards the next Climate Summit in Katowice, Poland. Schibel, a longstanding Climate Alliance spokesperson, has been traveling the West Coast of the United States to speak with local authorities, associations and activists about priorities and next steps in local climate politics. His meetings with Jerry Brown centred on the role of local and regional authorities in fighting climate change and Brown’s Global Climate Action Summit, set to take place in San Francisco from 12 to 14 September. Governor Brown has been a driving force behind the Under 2 Coalition and is working to raise local level ambition on climate targets.

Further information

Registration now open for the Climate Alliance International Conference and General Assembly!

Fri, 18 May 2018 00:00:00 +0200

Municipal delegates as well as members of civil society may now reserve their space for Connecting Cities, Climate Alliance’s premier event for 2018. The conference will take place from 1 to 3 October in Barcelona's historic Hospital de Sant Pau and is being organised in cooperation with the Climate Alliance Province of Barcelona. Participants will explore the co-creation of local solutions for a sustainable, resilient, circular and inclusive futures. The annual Climate Alliance General Assembly on 2 October will further provide Climate Alliance members with a chance to shape their international network. As a Talanoa Dialogue event, Connecting Cities is part of the official channel for exchange on the road to this year's 24th Climate Summit. The deadline for registration is 16 September 2018.

Further information

Climate Alliance mourns former board member and friend Camille Gira

Thu, 17 May 2018 00:00:00 +0200

Camille Gira, Luxembourg State Secretary for Sustainable Development and Environment, passed away Wednesday while doing what he had always done best – fighting for the environment and for a better world. The former mayor of Beckerich served on Climate Alliance’s Board of Directors from 2004 until 2014 and was a steadfast supporter of Climate Alliance over the last decade and a half. Even after giving up his official post as a member of the board, Camille continued to promote Climate Alliance principles. He was an ardent supporter of the Covenant of Mayors and an outspoken champion of climate action here in Europe. At the same time, he also understood the importance of fighting for climate justice and supporting indigenous rights. For Climate Alliance, Camille Gira was both an inspirational figure and a familiar face. His dedication, vision and passion were extraordinary, as were his kindness and humanity. He will be sorely missed.

On Camille's passing

Climate Alliance Luxembourg (in German)
Dietmar Mirkes of Climate Alliance Luxembourg / ASTM (in German, pdf)
Several key Climate Alliance stakeholders (n German, pdf)
Luxembourg Times

ZOOM - Kids on the Move

Thu, 03 May 2018 00:00:00 +0200

Tens of thousands of children have already registered, and many more will follow throughout Europe in the coming months. As part of the Climate Alliance ZOOM - Kids on the Move campaign, children collect green footprints for everyday routes that can be covered on foot, by scooter or bicycle, by bus or train in a climate-friendly manner.

This year's launch is taking place at the same time as the interim negotiations on the UN Climate Process in Bonn, during which the rule book on the Paris Climate Agreement will be drawn up. If all goes well, it can be adopted at the next UN Climate Summit in Poland in December.

There, the Climate Alliance will again present the fooprints of all children and their wishes and demands to the climate politicians in Katowice. In this way we will again demonstrate how committed the children of Europe already are to the standard book on municipal climate protection.

zoom-kidsforclimate.eu

^{Photo: Groene Voetstappen gatherers from the Netherlands; copyright Matty van Leijenhorst, Klimaatverbond}

Climate Alliance dives into climate process at first EU Dialogue for Climate Action

Mon, 23 Apr 2018 00:00:00 +0200

On 23 April, Climate Alliance President Tine Heyse and Working Group on Financing Chair Ronald van Meygaarden will provide input to the climate process alongside high level representatives of key European and international institutions. “We are eager to facilitate the Talanoa Dialogues on the road towards the next Climate Summit in Katowice, pushing for more ambition and underlining the importance of the local level in reaching our climate goals,” affirms Andy Deacon, Climate Alliance Policy Coordinator, who will also be moderating a session at the Brussels event. The Talanoa Dialogues are the official channel for exchange between so-called non-party stakeholders such as civil society organisations and municipalities, and those that are party to climate negotiations. The European Dialogue on Non-State Climate Action is being coordinated in part by the Committee of the Regions as one step in the Talanoa process. Last year Climate Alliance closed a formal agreement with this EU assembly of regional and local representatives with the aim of intensifying cooperation on climate issues.

Further information

Next EU budget must support climate action and sustainable development

Wed, 11 Apr 2018 00:00:00 +0200

A group of 31 civil society organisations, associations and think tanks urged European Commission President Juncker to make the future EU budget compatible with climate and sustainable development goals. "We cannot hope to move forward on climate and sustainability imperatives without a budget that backs such action," stresses Andy Deacon, Policy Coordinator at Climate Alliance, a leading network of European cities. In an open letter to President Juncker, the group called for a significant increase in the current 20 percent climate action share of the EU budget. The letter further demands that the EU stop funding fossil fuels and instead start focus on funding measures that support EU climate objectives.

The European Commission is due to publish its general proposal on the spending priorities of the next EU budget after 2020 on 2 May 2018.

Further information

Less than 210 days remain for cities to give input to 24th Climate Summit

Tue, 03 Apr 2018 00:00:00 +0200

Local authorities have until 29 October to provide feedback for this year’s UN Climate Change Convention via a facilitative process known as the Talanoa Dialogue. The Dialogue was established at the last Climate Summit as a means to encourage inclusive and transparent exchange between stakeholders to the international climate process. Input coming via the Talanoa Dialogue portal will feed into official climate talks leading up to and during the 24th Climate Summit from 3 to 14 December in Katowice, Poland. The Dialogue thus stands as an important channel for local authorities and other actors not directly involved in the negotiations to encourage national governments to step up climate action. Throughout 2018 and in Katowice, Climate Alliance will be making use of the Talanoa Dialogue to ensure its members voices are heard and call for further recognition of local contributions.

Further information

Contact

Andy Deacon, Climate Alliance Policy Coordinator, a.deacon(at)climatealliance.org

Nature-based solutions key to combatting local water challenges

Tue, 20 Mar 2018 00:00:00 +0100

Water is crucial to almost every aspect of our lives. If there is too little or too much water or the quality is not right, cities and municipalities are responsible for their population. With nature-oriented solutions for water conservation and flood protection, they protect the nature and improve water quality.

“The English city of Leicester has successfully changed its handling of the valuable resource water and is thus exemplary”, affirms Wolfgang Hofstetter of the city network Climate Alliance. “The river, which repeatedly overflowed its banks, was reconnected to its original wetland. This means that there is now sufficient flood space. This solution is a low-cost answer and, in addition to flood protection, also became a beloved recreation area.”

Climate Alliance is working with Leicester as well as other cities and research institutions to increase public participation in local water issues via the POWER project.

Further information

Best practice platform on local water challenges
Local water platform of Leicester
Power project website
This press release as pdf

Contacts

Wolfgang Hofstetter, +49-69-717139-13, w.hofstetter(at)climatealliance.org
Madlie Le Bihan, +49 69 717139-35 m.lebihan(at)climatealliance.org

New study highlights the potential of wastewater as a valuable resource

Wed, 07 Mar 2018 00:00:00 +0100

The results of a recent study on waste water in the Netherlands demonstrate that municipalities can not only reuse wastewater, they can derive energy and raw materials from it. “Water authorities should no longer regard wastewater as merely a waste to be treated and processed,” explains Wolfgang Hofstetter, Project Coordinator for the POWER project on water challenges at Climate Alliance. The study, conducted within the framework of the POWER project by the KWR Watercycle Research Institute, shows how municipal sewage treatment plants can be transformed into resource factories for phosphate, cellulose, energy and more. This change in perspective may demand significant investments but the potential financial and environmental returns are high. It stands as one more solution to the global challenge of water security municipalities will increasingly face in the years to come.

Further information

Want to learn more?

Madlie Le Bihan, +49 69 717139-35, m.lebihan(at)climatealliance.org

Luxembourg takes exemplary step to protect indigenous peoples

Wed, 28 Feb 2018 00:00:00 +0100

Luxembourg / Frankfurt am Main, 28 February 2018. “ILO Convention 169 is the only binding international treaty to protect the rights of indigenous and tribal peoples. Any country that ratifies this convention strengthens its weight and thus also the rights of indigenous peoples worldwide. Luxembourg is only the fifth European country, alongside Denmark, Norway, Spain and the Netherlands, to have taken this important step. This is a good example for all States in the EU to follow: even countries without indigenous populations can recognise their rights and thus contribute to forest and climate protection. Where indigenous peoples live and where their land rights are recognised – this is also where the natural environ-ment is preserved. This means that ratification not only contributes to the protection of human rights, but also to the protection of the world's climate," explains Dietmar Mirkes of the Climate Alliance in Luxembourg.

Climate Alliance has helped put the issue on the political agenda in Luxembourg. Members of Luxembourg’s Parliament approved the ratification of ILO Convention No. 169 unanimous at their meeting on 27 February 2018. Luxembourg is therefore the 23^rd country worldwide to ratify this important convention.

Further Information

Background on ILO Convention 169
Text of ILO Convention No. 169 (pdf)
The Future We Want – Climate Alliance Publication on sustainable development with political recommendations (pdf)
Background information from Climate Alliance Lëtzebuerg (in German)
This position as a pdf

Kontakte

Silke Lunnebach, Climate Justice Division Coordinator, Climate Alliance, T. +49 69 7171-32, s.lunnebach@climatealliance.org
Sarah Mekjian, Communications Director, Climate Alliance, T. +49 69 7171 39-20, s.mekjian(at)climatealliance.org

Climate Alliance members meet on eve of Covenant of Mayors cemerony

Thu, 22 Feb 2018 00:00:00 +0100

On 19 February 2018, members and partner organisations of the Climate Alliance city network gathered in Brussels to exchange experiences and take stock of network expectations for 2018. The event took place on the eve of the annual Covenant of Mayors signatory ceremony marking the initiative’s tenth anniversary. Climate Alliance has helped run the European Commission led Covenant of Mayors since its birth and thus also helped shape the way in which the EU cooperates with local authorities on climate and energy matters. The network’s mark is especially evident in the initiative’s approach to topics such CO₂ monitoring, adaptation to climate change and climate partnerships. Many Climate Alliance members are also Covenant of Mayors signatories, committing them to EU climate and energy targets in addition to Climate Alliance’s even more ambitious targets.

New dashboard shows energy consumption in public buildings

Mon, 19 Feb 2018 00:00:00 +0100

A new data analysis platform is providing a real-time overview of current energy, water and gas consumption data in public buildings. The instrument is a result of the EU project EDI-Net on smart metering and sustainable energy policy, in which the Climate Alliance cooperates with partners from all over Europe. The so-called dashboard is suitable for both beginners and professional users. The use of smileys helps building users immediately understand where energy, water or gas consumption is particularly high while detailed data sets help professionals improve the municipal energy controlling. The aim is to support public authorities with intelligent energy and water meter data so that they can act quickly and decisively. Four pilot cities are currently testing the dashboard. Other interested municipalities may apply free of charge and without obligation.

Further information

Want to learn more? Contact Wolfgang Hofstetter at w.hofstetter@climatealliance.org

Two calls provide cities with opportunity to fund partnerships – deadline 8 March & 12 April!

Mon, 12 Feb 2018 00:00:00 +0100

The International Urban Cooperation Programme has announced the launch of its second round of city to city partnerships with a new call for applications. The initiative will see about 25 European local governments with more than 100,000 inhabitants matched with international counterparts facing similar sustainability challenges from China, Chile, India, Japan, Peru and the United States. Five Climate Alliance members were able to take advantage of the first round of pairings held last year including Mannheim (DE), Frankfurt am Main (DE), Essen (DE), Hamburg (DE) and Graz (AT). The deadline for submissions for the second round is 8 March 2018.

A separate call by Urban Europe has also been recently launched with a focus on pairing EU cities with peers in China. The call goes by the name of Urban Europe’s Sustainable and Liveable Cities and Urban Areas and has a registration deadline of 12 April 2018. Informational webinars will be held for this call on 13 February and 6 March.

Further information on the IUC call

IUC call information
IUC call application (deadline 8 March)
IUC call FAQ (pdf)
City-to-city pairings of the IUC call’s 1st round

Further information on the Urban Europe call and webinars can be found here.

Job offer: Officer – Global Covenant of Mayors

Thu, 08 Feb 2018 00:00:00 +0100

Climate Alliance – one of the city networks involved in the management of the Global Covenant initiative and the coordination of the EU-funded regional offices – is looking for a highly motivated officer to join the international team working on the Global Covenant of Mayors. The successful candidate will be working as part of the Global Covenant Secretariat team based in Brussels, Belgium. He/she will be part of the broader team that supports coherent operations and the coordination of regional/national Covenant offices around the world.

To apply, please send a cover letter and your CV (in Europass format) along with information about the earliest possible start date via email by 28 February 2018.

Complete job offer as pdf

More information

Contact

Lucie Blondel | European Secretariat | Brussels Office
brussels(at)climatealliance.org

New manual offers guidance for the renovation of public buildings

Thu, 01 Feb 2018 00:00:00 +0100

A new publication supports local authorities to find financing for the renovation of their public buildings. “Setting up innovative financing schemes for energy efficiency renovations” is the crowning result of the CITYnvest project, coordinated by Climate Alliance. It gives a quick overview of relevant topics ranging from political engagement to monitoring. The brochure includes links to the tools and supporting documents developed over the last three years within the framework of CITYnvest. The guide for local authorities sets out key steps to follow and identifies tools that can be used for each of these steps.

Read more

Guide for Local Authorities (pdf)
The CITYnvest project
Overview of tools

Increasing bioenergy use endangers forests

Tue, 30 Jan 2018 00:00:00 +0100

The proposed recast of the EU’s renewable energies directive stands to damage the world's forests with minimal or even negative benefits for climate protection. This is the result of an analysis published by the Federal Environment Agency in Germany on 4 January 2018.

By increasing the share of biomass to 27 percent of renewable energies by 2030, the recast would fuel the cutting down of trees for bioenergy. This policy fails to consider the resulting damage to forests. The methods used to calculate CO₂ emissions from tree-based biomass is also flawed: contrary to the current underlying assumption, not all bioenergy is CO₂ neutral when burned.

Many agree that a far more sustainable strategy for protecting the climate and forests is to use wood for as long as possible by cascading its use. With the SpeicherWald project in Germany, Climate Alliance is demonstrating the important role that unmanaged forests play for the climate and biological diversity.

Further information (in German)

The SpeicherWald project
Press release of the German Federal Environment Agency
Background paper of the German Federal Environment Agency
Climate Alliance News on the "Charter for Wood 2.0"

New publication offers insight on the ability of cities to cope with water challenges

Mon, 29 Jan 2018 00:00:00 +0100

The KWR Watercycle Research Institute has just published a paper addressing the importance of municipal governance in tackling water-related issues. “Whether it’s a lack of freshwater, rising sea levels or extreme weather events, climate change is exacerbating the challenges cities face when it comes to water,” stresses Wolfgang Hofstetter, coordinator of the POWER initiative on water at the Climate Alliance city network. The report uses the City of Amsterdam as a case study to illustrate the usefulness of a tool called “City Blueprint” in diagnosing a municipality’s governance capacity. It shows how a city can use the tool to understand where best to focus water governance efforts. The tool’s developer, the KWR Watercycle Research Institute, previously published a study on the use of the tool to understand water challenges in six US cities. Climate Alliance is working with the Institute and municipalities across Europe on the EU-funded POWER project to strengthen social responses to global water issues on the local level.

Further information

Video shows how municipalities can implement climate concepts efficiently

Mon, 22 Jan 2018 00:00:00 +0100

The short film “How to implement energy action plans” explains step by step how cities and towns can transform their energy and climate action concepts into real action. The guide shows how to get started on the local energy transition in a cost-effective way by bundling various climate action activities.

In the French region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, for example, the territory’s vulnerability to the effects of climate change is being examined and tailor-made solutions for adaptation strategies are being developed. For the municipalities in South Tyrol, a practical guide has been prepared that facilitates the standardised collection of data for energy monitoring of buildings and facilities.

The short film was created as part of the EU-funded project PEACE_Alps:

Video “How to implement energy action plans”
PEACE_Alps newsletter

Apply for an EU Sustainable Energy Award

Fri, 19 Jan 2018 00:00:00 +0100

The EU Sustainable Energy Awards recognise outstanding innovation in energy efficiency and renewables. Anyone in the EU can submit a recent project – from a local initiative to an industry-wide programme – that could help citizens, industry and the public sector work towards the Energy Union.

This year's categories for an application are: Consumers for actions that lead to the behavioural change of individual energy users; Public Sector for exemplary initiatives led by public and non-profit organisations; Businesses for forward-thinking businesses; and this year for the first time there will be a Young Energy Leaders category, which aims to recognise extraordinary young individuals, or groups of individuals (under 30 years old), who are leading by example and impacting the sustainable energy field.

Additionally, there is the Citizens' Award which will be granted via an online vote allowing the general public to reward their favourite project among the finalists of the before mentioned categories.

Projects should be outstanding, innovative with original features, and they should have a measurable impact in that they help reduce energy use or work with renewable energy in a way that will contribute to the EU's climate and energy goals. To have a chance of winning, nominated activities, projects and actions must be ongoing, or not concluded before 30 June 2018, and carried out within the EU28.

The award ceremony will take place during the EUSEW from 4 to 8 June 2018 in Brussels.

The closing date for applications is 23 February 2018.

Read more

Parliament supports strengthening of energy efficiency targets

Thu, 18 Jan 2018 00:00:00 +0100

On 17 January, the European Parliament overwhelmingly adopted a binding 35% energy efficiency target for 2030. “This target unfortunately falls short of the 40% Climate Alliance cities had been calling for, but is nonetheless a welcome step in the right direction,” comments Andy Deacon, Policy Director at Climate Alliance. The European Council and Commission had both showed support for a lower 30% target in the run up to this vote. The new target is not only 5% higher, it further accelerates progress on energy savings by fully and fairly including transport in its calculation.

Covenant of Mayors celebrates 10th anniversary: Event registration now open

Tue, 09 Jan 2018 00:00:00 +0100

Municipal representatives have until 12 February to secure their place at the Covenant of Mayors Investment Forum and Ceremony. The event, to be held on 21 and 22 February in Brussels, will focus on challenges surrounding financing municipal climate action and take stock of the results achieved over the initiative’s first decade of existence. Since 2008, over 9,200 local authorities have signed onto the Covenant of Mayors and contributed directly to the EU climate and energy targets. Climate Alliance has helped lead the movement since its birth, having also placed an increased focus on local financing for local climate action in the last several years.

Learn more | Register

MOVING OFFICES: RESTRICTED REACHABILITY ON 10 & 11 JANUARY!

Mon, 08 Jan 2018 12:15:00 +0100

On 10 and 11 January, the Climate Alliance European Secretariat Headquarters in Frankfurt will moving to another level within the same building. While our address will remain unchanged, getting in touch with us via email and telephone will prove difficult on both days. Telecommunications services should however be up and running again by Friday, 12 January. We thank you for your understanding!

Climate Alliance calls for locally-driven energy efficiency financing

Tue, 19 Dec 2017 00:00:00 +0100

On 4 December, Climate Alliance released a set of five policy recommendations demanding an increased emphasis on the local level in energy efficiency financing. “Boosting investment for sustainable building renovation is vital for the energy transition, but for municipalities, access to adequate financing remains difficult,” explains Climate Alliance’s Giustino Piccolo, Citynvest Project Coordinator. The recommendations are a product of Citynvest, an EU-funded project providing practical guidance for local authorities on financing energy retrofits. The experiences of Climate Alliance member municipalities involved in the network’s Working Group on Financing as well as those of six project partners fed into the recommendations, which mark the close of the three-year project.

Further information

New database facilitates divestment from coal

Fri, 15 Dec 2017 00:00:00 +0100

The environmental organisation Urgewald has recorded more than 770 coal companies in an extensive database. “Adherence to the Paris climate target of 1.5 degrees global warming is only possible if banks and investors quickly and completely abandon coal investments," explains Heffa Schücking, Managing Director of Urgewald. The so-called Global Coal Exit List provides key figures and activities of companies ranging from coal exploration and extraction, to coal trading and transport, through to coal-fired power generation and the construction of coal-fired power plants. The aim of the database is to create transparency. It enables banks, other investors and municipalities to find out which companies earn their money with coal.

Further information on coalexit.org

New twinning programme within the Covenant of Mayors

Tue, 12 Dec 2017 00:00:00 +0100

The new Covenant Twinning program launched this year is inviting municipalities to reach out and seek inspiration from peers. Climate Alliance member cities Ghent (BE) and Albertslund (DK) have both been selected to take part in the new programme. The City of Ghent will be twinning with the Finnish City of Vaasa, whereas the City of Albertslund has been selected to collaborate with the City of Ljungby in Sweden. All four cities are already strong in the climate and energy field with different areas of expertise. Seeing how this expertise will be exchanged to strengthening individual and joint efforts even further will be exciting. The twinning comprises of a series of meetings and study trips with detailed reports so that interested parties may also benefit.

www.eumayors.eu

Parliament lead committee supports ambitious energy efficiency targets

Fri, 08 Dec 2017 00:00:00 +0100

Climate Alliance welcomes the decision of the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy of 28 November 2017 on ambitious energy efficiency and renewable energy targets. By a narrow majority, the MEPs have opted for a 40 percent efficiency goal by 2030 and for binding targets at national level. The Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety of the European Parliament had already agreed to these goals in September. The file will now move to the plenary of the European Parliament, before the start of negotiations with Council under the Bulgarian presidency.

Climate Alliance review of the 23rd Climate Summit in Bonn now online

Wed, 29 Nov 2017 00:00:00 +0100

Climate Alliance’s perspectives on the year’s most important climate conference have now been published for all to see. This year, the network enjoyed a strong presence at the two week event with involvement in a variety of workshops and its own stand at the exhibition. Over 300 individuals and groups stopped by Climate Alliance’s booth to be photographed with their messages for the future. A total of 14 municipal representatives greatly bolstered the association’s delegation by serving as Climate Alliance Ambassadors to COP23. The online review includes the impressions of the ambassadors as well as Climate Alliance’s take on the negotiations, a summary of network activities and various photo galleries. Climate Alliance will be adding further ambassador input and photo material in the coming days.

Further information

The energy under our feet: Video makes geothermal energy accessible

Thu, 23 Nov 2017 00:00:00 +0100

Munich/Frankfurt, 23 November 2017. The European Association for Alpine Strategy has awarded its video competition prize to a short film promoting the use of near-surface geothermal energy in municipalities. “Near-surface geothermal energy is rarely integrated into municipal energy planning. This video and the Greta project aim to make this sustainable energy source more accessible," explains Andreas Kress, Greta project manager at the Climate Alliance city network. The project partners of the Greta initiative presented the film for the first time on 7 November at their mid-term conference in Salzburg. The EU’s Interreg – Alpine Space funding programme organised the competition inviting a total of 33 initiatives in the Alpine region to submit videos. Three of these were recognised today at the annual Alpine Strategy Forum in Munich.

Further information

Video (on YouTube)
Information on Greta: Website | Informational sheet (pdf) | Midterm conference
EUSALP Forum
This press release as a pdf

Contacts

Janina Emge
Project manager, Climate Alliance
+49 69 7171 39 -27 | j.emge(at)climatealliance.org

Sarah Mekjian
Communications Director, Climate Alliance
+49 69 7171 39 -20 | s.mekjian(at)climatealliance.org

_{THE GRETA PROJECT
The GRETA project (Near-surface Geothermal Resources in the Territory of the Alpine Space) promotes the sustainable use of near-surface geothermal energy in the Alpine region and thus contributes to a reduction in CO2 emissions. GRETA provides concrete support for the exchange of knowledge on licensing and implementation practices between Alpine countries as well as the assessment of area-wide potentials. The project also provides technical information for planners and municipalities. A geothermal potential map provides a basis for decision making regarding the integration of geothermal plants into political planning instruments and guidelines developed within the project facilitate the harmonisation of implementation processes and approval procedures in the Alpine region. www.alpine-space.eu/projects/greta}

Four Italian local authorities adopt Climate Alliance Resolution

Wed, 22 Nov 2017 00:00:00 +0100

The South Tyrolean market municipality of Campo Tures, the cities of Merano and Vipiteno as well as the southern Italian municipality of Craco have already adopted the Climate Alliance resolution “Local and regional authorities as drivers of climate action and sustainability ‒ towards a good life for all”. Campo Tures wants to “use the membership in the Climate Alliance to commit to sustainable development - locally, globally and in cooperation with a wide range of actors.”

The resolution, adopted by the Climate Alliance's General Assembly on 21 September 2017, reaffirms the importance of global partnerships to fight climate change and its unavoidable consequences. It underlines its support for the indigenous Climate Alliance partners in the Amazon rainforest by recognising their land rights and their right to self-determination. And it advocates climate justice.

We are pleased about the support of the principles of Climate Alliance on climate protection and of the indigenous partners in the rainforest of the Amazon basin. Thank you very much!

Further information

Resolution (pdf) “Local and regional authorities as drivers of climate action and sustainability ‒ towards a good life for all”
Decision of Campo Tures
Municipal resolution proposal (docx)
Climate Alliance Italy

Near-surface geothermal energy presents important chance

Tue, 21 Nov 2017 00:00:00 +0100

Few communities in the Alpine region make sufficient use of near-surface geothermal energy’s vast potential. Experts and municipal representatives confirmed this fact in Salzburg, Austria on 7 November during the mid-term conference of the EU project GRETA. “The time is ripe to significantly anchor this resource in the energy plans of the municipalities," affirmed Andreas Kress, Greta project manager at the city network Climate Alliance. The objectives of the project as well as mid-term results were presented at the event. By December 2018, GRETA aims to provide instruments and information to facilitate the integration of near-surface geothermal energy into municipal energy plans.

Find out more at www.alpine-space.eu/projects/greta

Contact
Janina Emge, Climate Alliance, j.emge(at)climatealliance.org

_{Photo: Henry Patton}

Interview on energy management in the municipal building administration

Mon, 20 Nov 2017 00:00:00 +0100

Alexander Nordhus is responsible for the energy efficiency management in the municipal building department in the city of Nuremberg (Germany, 527,000 inhabitants). He is a project partner in the Climate Alliance project EDI-Net and is also a project partner in the EU project ENERJ of Climate Alliance Italy. In an interview with Dr. Karl-Ludwig Schibel during the International Climate Alliance Conference 2017 in Essen, he describes the successes and challenges of municipal energy management. The collection and quality of data always seems to be an issue, as well as “soft” factors such as the cooperation of technical staff in the buildings.

Read the interview (pdf)

Further information

ENERJ project (in Italian)
EDI-Net project

^{Photo: Alexander Nordhus. Copyright Climate Alliance}

UN Climate Secretariat Head Espinosa recognises children’s action on climate

Thu, 16 Nov 2017 00:00:00 +0100

Bonn/Frankfurt, 16 November 2017. Today, a group of kindergartners from Bonn presented their efforts on climate change and their wishes for the future to decision makers at the 23rd UN Climate Summit. “Children can be great drivers of positive change. By motivating them to protect the climate, we see a ripple effect that really spreads – not only to their friends, families and their teachers,” explains Climate Alliance Executive Director Thomas Brose. Over 1,400 schools spread across European 10 countries participated in the 2017 Green Footprints or ZOOM campaign. Together they collected some 2.3 million green footprints. The initiative encourages children to reflect on sustainable mobility and lifestyle choices.

Further information

Photos for press use (available as of 12:30 on 16 November 2017)
Also in attendance in Bonn: Frank Bainimarama, Fijian Prime Minister and President of COP 23 and Andrä Rupprechter, Austrian Minister for Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management.
Campaign results (pdf)
Several wishes of participating children and statements of participating schools (pdf)
Campaign info sheet (pdf)
Campaign website: zoom-kidsforclimate.eu
Participating countries nn 2017: Austria, Belarus, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Sweden
This press release as a pdf

Contacts

Claudia Schury
Green Footprints Project Head, Climate Alliance
+49 69 7171 39 -22 | c.schury(at)climatealliance.org

Sarah Mekjian
Communications Director, Climate Alliance
+49 69 7171 39 -20 | s.mekjian(at)climatealliance.org

Austrian Climate Alliance members now also part of new national association

Wed, 25 Oct 2017 00:00:00 +0200

After 27 years, Climate Alliance Austria will become an association of its own. "In this way, cities and towns will have more opportunities to actively shape their network," stresses Director Markus Hafner-Auinger. Climate Alliance in Austria was initiated and run by environmental and development organisations. Austrian municipalities were, until now, only members of Climate Alliance – the European umbrella organisation. Through the founding of a new national association, these cities and towns will now get a more central role in Austria.

http://www.klimabuendnis.at/images/doku/20171025_neuer_verein_klimabuendnis_oesterreich.pdfFurther information (pdf; In German)

Indigenous leaders embark on bus tour across Europe to save their forests

Tue, 17 Oct 2017 00:00:00 +0200

The Guardians of the Forest delegation will make its first stop in the Climate Alliance City of Cologne today. “We support these indigenous forest peoples in their struggle to save their territories,” affirms Cologne’s Mayor Andreas Wolter, who will welcome the indigenous leaders in city hall. In the run up to the UN Climate Summit, the leaders will meet with decision makers throughout Germany, France, England, Belgium and the Netherlands. Indigenous peoples the world over are struggling against megaprojects and resource extraction in their territories. With Climate Alliance’s support, the City of Cologne has recently taken concrete steps to support indigenous peoples in their efforts. The delegates hope to find allies during their tour to help them protect their forests and prevent climate change.

Further information

_{Photo: Palm oil plantations in Peru}

From Frankfurt’s “Nordend” to the “Spijkerkwartier” in Arnhem across Europe: Climate Protection starts in the Neighbourhood!

Thu, 12 Oct 2017 00:00:00 +0200

On 5 and 6 October, representatives of local authorities as well as non-profit organisations and neighbourhood initiatives from Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain and the Netherlands met in Arnhem (Netherlands). They exchanged their experiences on how residents can be motivated for more sustainability and CO2 savings in their neighbourhood. In doing so, they took a look at the ”Stadtwandeln” campaign (English “Transition Tours”): strollers walk through Frankfurt's “Nordend” to places that stand for a climate-friendly lifestyle. The campaign was only recently transferred to Worms (Germany), will soon start in Essen (Germany) and is now also on everyone's lips in Arnhem. Because here too, in the "Spijkerkwartier", there are already numerous sustainability projects that such a campaign can draw attention to.

The fact that “Transition Tours” is now attracting interest beyond national borders is the fruit of a project funded by the EU: In Arnhem, the project partners of “CAN - Climate Active Neighbourhoods” met under the direction of the city network Climate Alliance. From 2016 to 2019, they - that is, local authorities, non-profit organisations and energy agencies from five European countries - will work together to strengthen climate protection at the neighbourhood level. Local initiatives that break with traditional energy consumption habits and initiate long-term behavioural changes are encouraged. The energy-efficient refurbishment of residential buildings in deprived neighbourhoods is the main focus. The approach of the cities and municipalities is innovative: they try harder than ever to respond to the needs of the neighbourhoods in an attempt to reconcile these with their own climate protection concepts.

The key to success is the close cooperation between all project partners. Indeed, besides the “Transition Tours”, there are a number of other synergies due to CAN: Liège (Belgium) can draw on the experience of the “energy caravan” from Worms as they are planning a mobile consulting office to inform about potential energy retrofits of residential buildings. Worms, on the other hand, will benefit from the expertise of Brest (France) when it comes to offering thermal tours in its own city. In September, neighbourhood initiatives from Essen and Arnhem met in order to discuss how CAN could attract more attention in their municipalities.

Thus, CAN's transnational approach makes it possible to apply a wide variety of approaches and to successfully transfer them to cities and municipalities throughout Europe in an uncomplicated way. Obstacles and problems can also be overcome more quickly in common. To use the words of climate protection manager Katharina Reinholz from Worms: “Why reinvent everything when we can learn from each other so easily?” It remains exciting to see what further benefits climate protection will derive from these transnational experiences!

Further Information

Contact

Jenny-Claire Keilmann, Tel. +49-69-717139-38, j-c.keilmann(at)climatealliance.org
Svenja Enke, Tel. +49-69-717139-20, s.enke(at)climatealliance.org

New Digital Social Platform for water related issues is online!

Tue, 10 Oct 2017 00:00:00 +0200

Do you want to improve the water management in your local authority? If the drinking water in your municipality is scarce or if your population is endangered by surface water floods, then the new Digital Social Platform is the right place for you. This interactive platform is filled up with information of experts about water related issues and used to communicate these issues to decision makers, key stakeholders and the public in order to increase awareness. Everyone can join in, as the platform is now activated.

The Digital Social Platform was created as part of the EU project POWER (Political and sOcial awareness on Water EnviRonmental challenges), in which among others the city network Climate Alliance, the UK cities of Leicester and Milton Keynes as well as the two water supply companies of Jerusalem (Israel) and Sabadell (Spain) are participating. Benefit from the experience of the four involved local authorities!

Do you want to share your own best practices with other municipal employees around the world? Then use the POWER platform for this purpose. It is the right place to explore and discuss experiences with the other users of the wide network of POWER cities. Learn of them and discuss their answers to water-related challenges as extreme weather events, reduction of water consumption, quality of water reuse, and variables related to water conservation.

Further information

Contact

Wolfgang Hofstetter, Tel. +49-69-717139-13, w.hofstetter(at)climatealliance.org

The main goals of the four POWER cities

Jerusalem: through the regional water utility, Hagihon, the city is to promote water conservation behaviours, quantifiable water savings and improve awareness regarding water quality.
Join Jerusalem Water Community and

Immediately report any urban water burst
Be a partner in turning Jerusalem to a green and flourishing city by spreading knowledge to watering gardens and saving water
Be part of Hagihon’s educational curriculum
Water quality is a recipe for health and wellness. Learn how to make sure quality water in your house
Share your experience and knowledge
Get ready to act in the Community Gardens

In Milton Keynes water is scarce, too, therefore, with the help of social awareness incentives, total consumption should be reduced.
Join Milton Keynes Water Community and

Learn why people need to save water in Milton Keynes
Read about ideas and tips for reducing water consumption
Get informed about school projects and educational resources
Create a Milton Keynes smarter water community

Leicester aims to strengthen the awareness of extreme weather events, as it is endangered by surface water floods. It provides real-time river water levels and predictive warnings for combined sewer overflows in specific geographical areas of the city.
Join Leicester Water Community and

Learn about flood risk - of your home in Leicester, your neighbourhood and your city
Get #floodprepared with the experiences of the Leicester #floodpreparedcommunity
Get involved by giving feedback, sharing know-how and experience with the #floodpreparedcommunity
Get ready to act in the #floodpreparedcommunity

In Sabadell water is delivered in two qualities, as drinking water and non-drinking water. The water utility CASSA wants to actively involve citizens by implementing an information system that enables real-time information about the quality and conditions of service.
Join Sabadell Water Community and

Know the quality of water in Sabadell
Learn how Sabadell saves water
Ask, think and participate in all areas of the water cycle, especially the water quality and use of alternative resources
Follow the I+D projects in the water cycle that takes place in Sabadell
Share what Sabadell is doing about water management and what is done in other cities in Europe
Engage, participate, be critical and contribute to a more efficient resource management model, thus also reducing the impact of climate change

2019 European Green Leaf

Wed, 04 Oct 2017 00:00:00 +0200

The European Green Leaf is the EU-wide competition for smaller cities and towns. Every year, the title recognisees the environmental management efforts of smaller cities and towns with populations of 20,000 to 100,000. Now in its 4th year, the European Commission has launched the competition to identify the winner(s) of the European Green Leaf 2019. For the first time, the winner of this title will be also receiving a financial incentive of 75,000 euros to kick-start their environmental programme for the year! The closing date for your application is 18 October 2017.

Read more about it

2020 European Green Capital Award

Wed, 04 Oct 2017 00:00:00 +0200

Does your city have what it takes to be a European Green Capital Award winner? Find out and submit your application to become a European Green Capital! The Award has a two-stage evaluation process. First, an international independent Expert Panel assesses each city’s application, selecting a shortlist for the next stage of the competition. Applicants are assessed based on 12 environmental indicators. For the first time, in order to celebrate the 10th year of the competition, the Commission will award a financial incentive of 350,000 Euros to the winning city of the 2020 title. Closing date for your application is 18 October 2017.

Municipal pathways for the transformation to more climate action and global justice

Tue, 26 Sep 2017 00:00:00 +0200

In the City of Essen, the European Green Capital 2017, 200 representatives of local authorities and organisations from all over Europe and South America met for the International Conference of the city network Climate Alliance. The focus was on the transformation of cities and towns towards increased climate protection, adaptation to climate change and global justice. Important topics were local cooperation in regions as well as municipal demands in the international climate process.

Tine Heyse, Climate Alliance President and Mayor for Environment, Climate, Energy and North-South in the City of Ghent, said that cooperation between cities, national governments andEuropean stakeholders is necessary, as municipalities have already made strong commitments to climate protection. “These are not only built on dealing with low-hanging fruit, but represent strong commitments to facing a serious challenge”.

Holger Matthäus, Co-President and Senator for Buildings and Environment in the City of Rostock, emphasised “the swarm intelligence of the more than 1,700 Climate Alliance municipalities as an infinite creative pool for the necessary climate protection”.

Two resolutions were adopted during the conference:

With the first “Local and regional authorities as drivers of climate action and sustainability ‒ towards a good life for all”, Climate Alliance members underlined the importance of the local and regional level in implementing Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement. The local authorities present reaffirmed their cooperation with the indigenous peoples of the Amazon rainforests, who have contributed almost nothing to climate change but are already suffering greatly from its effects.

Global sustainability goals are essential for a successful energy transition, particularly from the point of view of the Climate Alliance and its indigenous cooperation partners in the rainforests represented by Eriberto Gualinga from the Kichwa community of Sarayaku. The poorest countries in particular need financial support to adapt to climate change, which they have not caused. Otherwise, progress in development will fall prey to climate change.

The second resolution “Implementing Adaptation to climate change at local level” contains a set of recommendations for European and national decision-makers on adaptation to climate change. It is intended to support municipalities in their efforts to protect their populations from climate impacts such as overheating and flooding.

The host City of Essen, represented by Simone Raskob, Councillor and Head of the Department for Building and Environment, is the first city in the coal and steel industry to be awarded the title of European Green Capital. Its successful history of transformation from a coal and steel city to the greenest city in North Rhine-Westphalia is a model for many European cities in structural change ‒ true to the motto of the Climate Alliance Conference “From goals to action”.

Further information

Contact

Angela Hanisch, Tel. +49-69-717139-12, a.hanisch(at)climatealliance.org

Photo: Holger Matthäus, Robert Leven, Tine Heyse, Thomas Brose and John Tanner (from the left)

New agreement gives local and regional governments stronger voice on climate and energy

Tue, 19 Sep 2017 00:00:00 +0200

Brussels/Frankfurt, 19 September 2017. Climate Alliance today signed an action plan with the European Committee of the Regions to further intensify collaboration to accelerate the energy transition and the fight against climate change at all levels of government. It builds on previous collaborations including shaping European policy frameworks with joint work on the EU adaptation strategy and in supporting the Committee's opinion on climate finance, as well as a history of fruitful cooperation in bringing the voices of cities and regions forward at international climate negotiations.

The action plan formalises an existing long-standing working relationship and provides a framework for reinforced cooperation in key dossiers of mutual interest such as the implementation of the Paris Agreement. The aim is to work together to reach common objectives through the shaping of international and European climate policies and providing opportunities for exchange between local governments and European decision-makers: e.g. the energy transition towards a low-carbon economy, the development of adequate financing mechanisms to multiply climate adaptation and mitigation actions locally, as well as the establishment of a global climate multi-level governance that fully involves cities and regions in the implementation and progress monitoring of the Paris Agreement.

Thomas Brose, Executive Director of Climate Alliance, said: "The active involvement of the regional and local levels is key to successfully manage climate policy, whether it is within the EU or at the international stage. The European Committee of the Regions has proven to be a powerful partner in Climate Alliance's efforts to lend a stronger voice to the local and regional levels. We very much welcome the opportunities this new agreement opens up and look forward to sharing the good news with our members at the Climate Alliance International Annual Conference which will take place in Essen this week."

Karl-Heinz Lambertz, President of the European Committee of the Regions, said: "Now more than ever we must unite our efforts and resources to put a stop to global warming. Today we see that locally and regionally there is growing ambition to work together and deliver on our climate commitments. Only through cooperation can we make the transition to a low-carbon economy, demonstrate that multi-level governance is the only way forward to protect our climate and improve financing for climate projects in our communities."

FURTHER INFORMATION

CONTACT

Lea Kleinenkuhnen, +32-2-400 10 12, l.kleinenkuhnen(at)climatealliance.org

_{The European Committee of the Regions
The European Committee of the Regions is the EU's assembly of regional and local representatives from all 28 Member States. Created in 1994 following the signing of the Maastricht Treaty, its mission is to involve regional and local authorities in the EU's decision-making process and to inform them about EU policies. The European Parliament, the Council and the European Commission consult the Committee in policy areas affecting regions and cities. To sit on the European Committee of the Regions, all of its 350 members and 350 alternates must either hold an electoral mandate or be politically accountable to an elected assembly in their home regions and cities.
cor.europa.eu}

_{Photo: Heinz Lambertz (left), President of the European Committee of the Regions, and Thomas Brose (right), Executive Director of Climate Alliance.}

Climate Star 2018 - Application period extended

Fri, 08 Sep 2017 00:00:00 +0200

For the eighth time, Climate Alliance is calling on all member cities, municipalities and districts as well as their municipal networks to submit their climate action efforts and projects for the 2018 Climate Star competition. Under the motto “Diversity in local climate action”, the 2018 edition of the Climate Star will make it clear that Europe can rely on strong local partners within the Climate Alliance in the field of climate action and climate justice. After a postponement of the awards ceremony, we are now pleased to announce that closing date for submissions has been extended to 30 March 2018. The award ceremony will be held on invitation of the Federal State of Lower Austria on 18 October 2018 and will again take place at Schloss Grafenegg. Projects that have already been submitted will of course still be considered and we now look forward to further submissions.

www.climate-star.net

Province of Ferrara develops €15million investment programme for energy efficiency

Tue, 05 Sep 2017 00:00:00 +0200

Climate Alliance member Province of Ferrara has become the second public authority to participate in the new Technical Assistance Facility of the European Energy Efficiency Fund (eeef). In so doing, the province has joined forces with the "SIPRO Agenzia Provinciale per lo Sviluppo" development agency to create a €15 million investment programme that addresses the implementation of energy efficiency measures in several municipalities. Investments will focus on deep energy retrofitting measures and the replacement of some 27,000 public lighting points with LED technology.

2017 International Climate Alliance Conference

Mon, 04 Sep 2017 00:00:00 +0200

In just 16 days’ time, the International Climate Alliance Conference will be opened in Essen under the motto “Transforming our municipalities ‒ From goals to action”. There is still time to register!

Talk to representatives of civil society and exchange with other local authorities during one of 11 in situ sessions on topics ranging from deinvesting from fossil fuels, financing local climate action locally and even the use of geothermal energy. Dina Ionesco of the International Organisation for Migration will lead a special session in plenary on climate migrants.
Learn about how cities and towns are getting involved in the coming UN Climate Summit to be held in Bonn this November, talk to experts directly about how to best get your project ideas funded, and use the marketplace as a springboard to get ideas on climate action initiatives.
In one of five workshops, explore getting your project ideas off the ground, shaping successful climate partnerships, taking advantage of synergies between local and regional level climate action the region or how to embark on climate just pathways.
Experience the UNESCO World Heritage Zollverein Coal Mine or see first-hand how the Emscher river area is managed during a tour after the conference.

Further information:

Cologne agrees climate partnership with indigenous peoples in Peru

Tue, 08 Aug 2017 00:00:00 +0200

Frankfurt/Cologne, 8 August 2017. The Cologne City Council unanimously voted to establish a climate partnership with indigenous peoples in the Peruvian Amazon in anticipation of the UN Indigenous Peoples Day on 9 August. In cooperation with the Climate Alliance city network, Cologne will thereby be supporting the Association of the Indigenous Communities of the Ucayali and its tributaries (FECONAU).

Concretely, the partnership aims to support the Shipibo-Conibo community in its fight against the expansion of palm oil plantations in its territory. Despite legal recognition of Shipibo-Conibo land, the Peruvian State maintains the rights of use and continues to distribute licenses for the cultivation of highly destructive monocultures.

“The indigenous population doesn’t only see its rights endangered by the current situation, but its entire existence,” laments Cologne Mayor Andreas Wolter. Wolter had the opportunity to see the situation in Peru first hand this spring within the framework of Cologne’s Climate Alliance membership. His experiences served as the basis for the city’s recent decision.

“Cologne’s example should encourage further municipalities to establish partnerships with indigenous peoples of the rainforest,” comments Thomas Brose, Executive Directors of the Climate Alliance. “It is only through direct contact with our indigenous partners that we in Europe can learn more about the effects of resource overuse and climate change in the Amazonia.”

Large monocultures such as palm oil plantations threaten the livelihoods of many indigenous peoples. Communities like the Shipibo-Conibo are thus confronted with soil and water pollution resulting from pesticides, with blocked access to traditional food sources and with the loss of forest areas and biodiversity. The EU is one of the world’s largest importers of palm oil, particularly for use as biofuel. Palm oil cultivation has expanded greatly in the last several years, often at the expense of primary forest. This, in turn, leads to significant greenhouse gas emissions. Cologne’s climate partnership thus not only serves a political and social function, but is also part of the city’s climate action activities.

Representatives of FECONAU, like many other indigenous peoples of the Amazon Basin, see themselves as part of the solution in the fight against climate change. For Mayor Wolter, this is exactly what makes the alliance so interesting. “By supporting the indigenous we are also doing something for climate protection. We are talking about a small gesture with a large effect!”

FURTHER INFORMATION

Press photos on Flickr
Official decision of the City Council (in German)
Article on the delegation tour to Peru
This press release as a pdf

CONTACTS

Thomas Brose, Executive Director, T. +49 69 7171 39 -31, t.brose(at)climatealliance.org
Sarah Mekjian, Communications Director, T. +49 69 717139-20, s.mekjian(at)climatealliance.org

_{Photo: Mayor Andreas Wolter in Yarinacocha, Peru}

Climate Alliance’s work recognised - SEAP_Alps project finalist of the RegioStar Award!

Wed, 19 Jul 2017 00:00:00 +0200

The Alpine Space project SEAP_Alps has been selected as a finalist of the RegioStar Award in the “Energy Union: Climate action” category. The award is bestowed by European Commission for good practices and innovative projects in regional development.

The SEAP_Alps method for the integration of climate change mitigation and adaptation is based on Climate Alliance’s 15 years of experience in the field. As a project partner, Climate Alliance developed the training materials specifically for the Alpine region. The project made a common method for energy and climate planning available to municipalities.

In order to support the Alpine Space decision makers in drafting the Sustainable Energy Action Plans (SEAPs) for their own communities, SEAP_Alps provided a knowledge transfer and capacity building platform. The project also saw the testing of a new public-private investment concept, which helped municipalities meet energy-efficiency requirements for buildings.

Further information

Job offer: Climate and Energy Expert

Mon, 10 Jul 2017 12:00:00 +0200

The Climate Alliance European Secretariat Brussels Office is seeking a Climate and Energy Expert to join its highly motivated and multilingual Brussels team and work on activities related to the Covenant of Mayors – in particular in the areas of data management, monitoring and reporting.

Please be sure to send your application (complete with letter of motivation and CV in Europass format) to brussels(at)climatealliance.org by 15 August 2017. Applicants must have the legal right to be employed in Belgium.

Complete job offer as pdf

Contact

Lucie Blondel
Covenant of Mayors Office Head | Climate Alliance
brussels(at)climatealliance.org

Participate in the Covenant of Mayors twinning programme – expenses paid!

Thu, 06 Jul 2017 00:00:00 +0200

The Covenant of Mayors programme offers cities, regions and provinces across Europe the opportunity to take part in twinning exchanges that aim to support local authorities in mitigating and adapting to climate change.

The programme is open to all Covenant of Mayors signatories and Territorial Coordinators, as well as municipalities, provinces and regions that are not yet part of the Covenant of Mayors Community, under the condition that they join the initiative before their first twinning visit.

The call enables local authorities to participate in two types of exchanges: mentoring and peer-to-peer exchanges. For this call, a total of 6 twinning exchanges for municipalities and 1 exchange for provinces and regions will be financed.

Local and regional authorities interested in taking part should apply before 15 September 2017, 17:00 CEST by submitting the suitable online application form. Climate Alliance members that have participated in previous editions of this twinning programme via Mayors Adapt have reported very satisfying results – we encourage you to apply!

Further information for municipalities

Further information for provinces and regions

Want to learn more? Contact Pier Paolo Saraceno at pier.saraceno(at)eumayors.eu

Climate Alliance addresses EU Commission on food system links to climate change

Tue, 04 Jul 2017 00:00:00 +0200

On 28 June, Climate Alliance attracted the attention of decision makers from a wide range of EU Directorates General by pointing to the links between our food system and climate change. In an event co-organised with Slow Food, Climate Alliance sought to draw the attention of European Commission representatives to the perspectives of practitioners working on food and climate and to thus inform their decision making.

During the event, speakers illustrated how changes in our dealings with food can help combat climate change in big ways. Emanuela Ceruti, producer of Italy’s Macagn cheese, pointed to agroecological farming methods as a powerful tool for climate change mitigation. In the case of Macagn cheese, sustainable production methods result in a more than 80% reduction in emissions as compared to conventional production methods. Christophe Rogolle of the Climate Alliance city of Ghent (BE) illustrated how food strategies can form an integral part of ambitious climate targets. Ghent’s own food strategy known as “Gent en Garde” not only brings social and economic benefits, it will help Ghent avoid food waste and save hundreds of tonnes in CO₂ emissions every year in the process. Unfortunately, European legislation often presents a hurdle to effective local food strategies. Rogolle pointed to procurement rules for municipal canteens and schools, which can make including requirements for locally-sourced products in tender specifications difficult if not impossible.

The Commission Officials in attendance from the Directorates General for Climate Action, for Agriculture and Rural Development, for Environment and for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries pledged to continue a conversation with Climate Alliance with regard to reforming difficult procurement rules. The decision makers showed significant interest in the immense potential for local food production and local food strategies to cut emissions.

Further information

_{Photo: Copyright City of Ghent}

New chairs take helm of Working Group on Financing

Mon, 26 Jun 2017 00:00:00 +0200

On 20 June, the Climate Alliance Working Group on Financing met in Brussels to discuss the latest in EU policy on climate and energy financing, Climate Alliance’s work in the field, and how best to take advantage of funding opportunities. A total of 14 city representatives from across Europe took part. The meeting was the Working Group’s first under the leadership of new chairs Donald van den Akker of the Dutch Klimaatverbond and Ronald van Meygaarden of the City of Geldermalsen (NL).

During the meeting, Working Group members reiterated the importance of exchange on financing topics and agreed to work more intensively together on projects and initiatives. Luigi Acquaviva of San Giuseppe Vesuviano in southern Italy presented one such initiative with the city’s plans for an integrated financing approach for energy, mobility, water and waste. A discussion of EU funding opportunities centering around the latest “Quick Reference Guide for Financing Opportunities” allowed the participants to both learn more about financing opportunities and give their feedback. An exchange surrounding the guidance coming out of the CITYnvest project on innovative financing for energy retrofits then rounded out the discussions of the day. The Climate Alliance Working Group on Financing serves as the Advisory Committee for the CITYnvest project and will help develop key policy recommendations on EU policy related to financing for the local level.

The Working Group meeting took place at the beginning of the EU Sustainable Energy Week and was the first of a variety of Climate Alliance events dealing with the topic of financing for local climate and energy action.

Further information

Climate Alliance policy work on financing
Climate Alliance Working Group of Financing
Quick Reference Guide
Climate Alliance events at EUSEW
News on Climate Alliance at EUSEW
CityNvest project

EU Mayors and Commissioner Cañete commit to dialogue

Fri, 23 Jun 2017 00:00:00 +0200

On 20 June 2017, the European Covenant of Mayors Political Board met with EU Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Cañete to discuss key European climate and energy legislation currently under development.

During the meeting, the board adopted a declaration outlining strategic messages on the development of resilient, low-emission cities and towns. The declaration highlights the commitment of European cities to implement the Paris agreement and to deliver the EU’s Clean Energy Package in Europe's cities and regions. It also points to the local level as a critical role model, stating that EU cities’ “experience in collaborative climate and energy governance should serve as an example to Member States when drafting their National Climate and Energy Plan, in order to jointly shape future energy and climate policies.”

The event led to fruitful discussions between local leaders and Commissioner Cañete and will serve as a blueprint for future exchanges – made clear by Cañete’s proposal to regularly consult with EU mayors and local leaders on all developing EU energy and climate policy. As such, this second meeting of the Covenant of Mayors Board was testimony to increasing recognition of the importance of the local level at the highest levels of the European Commission.

The Covenant of Mayors Political Board is composed of seven mayors and local leaders from across Europe. Mercè Conesa i Pagès, Mayor of San Cugat del Vallés and president of the Province of Barcelona, an active Climate Alliance member, serves as a liaison to the Climate Alliance Board. In this capacity, she consults with Climate Alliance Board members on the activities of the Covenant political board as well as on exchanges with the Commissioner. Her position is thus a privileged channel through which Climate Alliance can voice the views of its members to important EU-level decision makers.

Further information

Full-text Declaration (as pdf)
European Covenant of Mayors Board

_{Photo: Mercè Conesa i Pagès, President of Climate Alliance member Barcelona Province (1st from the left) with Commissioner Cañete and the other members of the Covenant of Mayors Board}

Engagement of cities key to successful energy transition

Thu, 22 Jun 2017 00:00:00 +0200

22 June 2017, Brussels. Today, municipal representatives of five city networks met with Members of the European Parliament to drive home the importance of local level involvement in EU energy and climate policy. Known as the Urban 5, these networks point to the local level’s power to provide jobs, its proximity to the people and its swift ability to deliver change as essential components for energy transition success.

Prior to the policy debate in the European Parliament, the Urban 5, comprised of Climate Alliance, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), Energy Cities, EUROCITIES, and ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability – outlined their position in a joint policy statement.

The paper targets EU policy makers as they negotiate the Clean Energy Package and EU budget and calls for a governance framework that empowers local governments to contribute to the energy transition. One important pillar of such a framework would be better access to finance for cities, towns, and regions to foster investments in local renewable energy. The right to self-produce and consume electricity is also cited as a way to encourage broad participation in the energy transition.

European local governments further call for a planning and reporting system that addresses barriers to delivering the Energy Union at the local level as well as for ambitious 2030 and 2050 energy and climate targets. This would put Europe on a path to meet its international commitments whilst improving the quality of life of its people.

MEP Theresa Griffin echoed the importance of the local level and the Urban 5’s calls, stating, “Citizens, cities, local authorities and regions are the backbone of the energy transition. The Energy Union should provide an adequate framework to promote their full participation as this will enable us to respond to key challenges including the question of energy poverty.”

The political leaders present reiterated that delivery of the objectives of the Energy Union and the Paris Agreement will require engagement of the people in the transition process, shifting them from energy consumers to energy producers.

"Multilevel governance is the future of clean energy deployment in Europe. Regions and cities will play a crucial role to capture the multiple benefits of the energy transition: price lowering, citizen empowerment, local production, new jobs, cleaner air," agreed MEP Claude Turmes.

The following speakers attended the meeting: MEPs Claude Turmes and Theresa Griffin (hosts); Manon Dufour, E3G Head of Office (moderator); Abdeluheb Choho, Deputy Mayor of Amsterdam, The Netherlands (EUROCITIES Representative); Tjisse Stelpstra, Committee of the Regions Member for the Province of Drenthe, The Netherlands (CEMR Representative); Åsa Karlsson Björkmarker, Deputy Mayor of Växjö, Sweden (ICLEI Representative); Ann Cloet, Deputy Mayor of Mouscron, Belgium (Energy Cities Representative); and Ronald van Meygaarden, Alderman and Deputy Mayor of Geldermalsen, The Netherlands (Climate Alliance Representative).

Further information

Joint statement (as pdf)
Euractiv Op-Ed "It is high time to localise the energy transition"
This press release as pdf

Contacts

Andy Deacon – Policy Coordinator, Climate Alliance | +44 773 0515 778 | a.deacon(at)climatealliance.org
Guistino Piccolo – Project Coordinator, Climate Alliance | +32 2 400 1064 | g.piccolo(at)climatealliance.org

Networks release joint statement on energy efficiency financing

Wed, 21 Jun 2017 00:00:00 +0200

Today three major city networks joined forces with REScoop.eu and French initiative Énergies Posit’IF to call for the acceleration of energy and climate investments via improved financing frameworks. In their statement, these organisations made the case for four concrete recommendations to better match local ambition with appropriate financing. According to the document, putting the local level at the core of the energy transition will require an adjustment to the scale of funding schemes available to cities and towns so that they better fit the local level. Other calls include pushing local energy renovation programmes with the support of EU Structural Funds and amending Energy Union legislation to better support energy cooperatives. The recommendations come during the EU’s well-known Sustainable Energy Week. Local level leaders discussed the recommendations this morning with European Commission and European Investment Bank representatives, taking advantage of Climate Alliance’s “Accelerating the clean energy transition” event in Brussels.

Further information

Join Climate Alliance at the European Sustainable Energy Week in Brussels!

Mon, 19 Jun 2017 00:00:00 +0200

EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) is back for its 12th edition, from 19 to 25 June 2017 in Brussels and with complementary activities across Europe throughout May and June.

Join us!

Accelerating the clean energy transition — financing energy efficiency at the local level

21 June | 11.00 - 12.30 | Résidence Palace, Maelbeek

The session presents a local actor view on the three pillars of the Smart Finance for Smart Buildings initiative launched by the European Commission as part of the Clean Energy package. It includes an interactive session in which EU policy makers and representatives of financial institutions discuss key recommendations with local stakeholders with the goal of strengthening the role of the local level in accelerating the clean energy transition. Hear from Climate Alliance members Ghent and GRE Liège which recommendations they have for European decision-makers.

Join the discussion on Twitter: #financelocalEE

More information

Local and regional perspectives of the Winter Package

20 June | 14:30 - 17:00 | European Committee of the Regions

This conference will disseminate the Committee of the Region's (CoR) work on the latest policy issues related to the European Commission proposals on energy policy adopted on 30th November 2016, known as the "Winter Package" for the Energy Union. Join Climate Alliance’s policy coordinator Andy Deacon to discuss the EU’s energy policies with members of the Committee of the Regions.

More information

Localising the Energy Union - Policy breakfast

22 June | 8:15 – 9:30 | European Parliament – on invitation only

Local authorities play a crucial role in achieving the objectives of the Energy Union and implementing the Paris Climate Agreement by driving the local energy transition while delivering clean energy and engaging with citizens.

This event will provide an opportunity to hear directly from five European local elected officials about their daily experiences and priorities. They will present their vision of an energy framework that builds on local ambition and harnesses local potential, while encouraging citizens’ participation. Ronald van Meygaarden, board member of Climate Alliance and co-chair of the working group on financing, will share his views on how to improve local authorities’ access to finance in order to implement the energy transition.

Hosted by Claude Turmes and Theresa Griffin, Members of the European Parliament.

Local energy communities and Covenant of Mayors cities

21 June | 16.00 - 17.30 | Charlemagne, Mansholt

Local Energy Communities (LEC), facilitate and reward active participation of consumers in the energy market, help achieve RES targets and increase the energy system’s flexibility, and foster public acceptance of decentralised RES generation. The session showcases concrete examples of successful LECs, developed by or under the auspices of signatory municipalities in the Covenant of Mayors. It also shows the position of the Covenant of Mayors as a key gateway to rolling out the LEC model, and provides input from local authorities and stakeholders involved in the set-up or management of LECs on how the Clean Energy for All Europeans Package could further enhance their upscaling.

More information

Climate Alliance Board meets in Europe’s Green Capital

Wed, 31 May 2017 00:00:00 +0200

Essen is going international: The Climate Alliance Board will meet from 31 May to 1 June in the 2017 European Green Capital. The European city network’s board consists of members from Ecuador and ten European countries. Points of discussion include this year’s International Climate Alliance Conference – taking place in Essen this September, the next UN Climate Summit – being organised in Bonn this November, and the future development of the city network. The board is also set to discuss areas of strategic interest such as building retrofits, sustainable mobility and renewable energies. Board Presidents Tine Heyse from the Belgian City of Ghent and Holger Matthäus of the German City of Rostock invited members to the meeting hosted by board member Simone Raskop, Councillor for the City of Essen.

Further Information

^{Photo: Members of the Board at the 2016 International Climate Alliance Conference}

The 2018 Climate Star competition – Diversity in local climate action

Mon, 22 May 2017 00:00:00 +0200

Basel already has it, The Hague and Ghent as well. Now, for the eighth time, the European city network Climate Alliance will award the best climate action projects in Europe. Under the motto “Diversity in local climate action”, cities and towns can apply with their initiatives on topics ranging from energy and mobility to sustainable food and green procurement through to climate justice and climate change adaptation. The some 1,700 Climate Alliance municipalities from 26 countries and municipal networks are eligible to participate in this edition of the competition via the submission of an ongoing or completed project by 11 August 2017.

“The increasing number and variety of submitted projects for the Climate Star awards over the last years illustrates the great diversity of approaches to successful climate action. With the inclusion of climate justice, we are further expanding the focus from the local to the global dimension”, comments Thomas Brose, Director of Climate Alliance. A total of 15 Climate Stars will be assigned in four categories according to number of inhabitants. The winning local authorities will be honoured in Schloss Grafenegg next spring on invitation of the Federal State Government of Lower Austria.

“Especially in climate protection, it is important to compete with the best and to constantly get new ideas for one’s own work. This is exactly what the Climate Star does”, enthuses Dr. Stephan Pernkopf, Deputy Governor of Lower Austria and host of the award ceremony.

Climate Alliance invites all its members to participate in the Climate Star 2018 and wishes them much success.

Further information

climate-star.net
This press release as a pdf

Contact
Angela Hanisch, T. +49 69 717 139 -12, a.hanisch(at)climatealliance.org

Open European Day features Climate Alliance’s work on Adaptation

Tue, 16 May 2017 00:00:00 +0200

Climate Alliance’s work on adaption was featured prominently during the 4th Open European Day, held on 3 May 2017 in Bonn, Germany. During the event’s opening plenary, Sirpa Hertell of the Committee of the Regions highlighted Climate Alliance messages on adaptation. Hertell worked intensively with Climate Alliance and especially its Working Group on Adaptation throughout 2016 to draft the Committee of the Regions opinion on Review of the EU Urban Adaptation Strategy. Later in the day, Climate Alliance’s Open European Day session entitled “Mainstreaming adaption and changing working routines” served to further reinforce Climate Alliance activities on adaptation. During the session, Working Group member Piero Pelizzaro shared his thoughts on redesigning municipal administrations to more effectively pursue climate action strategies. Climate Alliance’s involvement in the Open European Day thus afforded Working Group members yet another opportunity to exchange with other municipal experts as well as representatives of key European institutions such as the European Environment Agency and the European Investment Bank.

The Open European Day stands as the annual event on resilience. The 2017 edition was co-organised by ICLEI and the European Environment Agency and held within the framework of the Bonn resilient Cities Conference.

Further information

Children across Europe show climate commitment for 15th year running

Wed, 03 May 2017 00:00:00 +0200

This year for the 15th time in a row, children collect Green Footprints across Europe. Since 2002, children have been helping to protect the global climate by every climate-friendly journey – on foot, by scooter or bike, bus or train. To celebrate the 15th anniversary of the ZOOM – Kids on the Move! campaign, Climate Alliance is holding a creative competition: children are invited to design their own version of the ZOOM – Kids on the Move! logo and to add their own ideas for climate protection. Climate Alliance will reward the children from the most creative group with a climate friendly present.

In the last 15 years, 25 million Green Footprints were collected by nearly two million children in 35 countries. In 2017 tens of thousands of children in kindergartens and schools will once again be on the move and collect Green Footprints to help protect the global climate. In November, Climate Alliance will hand over the Green Footprints collected as well as the most creative results of the creative competition to politicians during the 23rd UN Climate Change Conference in Bonn.

Since 2002, children have phrased their wishes for climate protection and have called on the participants in the UN Climate Change Conference to support them with concrete measures and to define and implement specific national and international goals. Thomas Brose, Executive Director of Climate Alliance, accentuates the successful work with the participating municipalities and educational institutions: “For 15 years children have shown us that you can make a difference in climate protection by starting with yourself and working as one. I’m looking forward to presenting their commitment at the UN Climate Change Conference in Bonn this year”. The campaign has evolved over the years, this year Climate Alliance has updated the accompanying teaching guide. The organization has also added new implementation and game ideas, break time games and worksheets. In addition the subjects of climate justice, consumption and sufficiency are covered in greater depth.

The ZOOM – Kids on the Move! campaign opens up new insights to the world to children at a young age. It introduces the subjects of climate change, sustainability and globalization. Climate Alliance will continue to attract new participants as well as motivate already participating municipalities. Participation for 2017 is possible until October.

Contact

Claudia Schury, Tel. +49-69-717139-22, c.schury(at)climatealliance.org

Further Information

This press release as pdf

Peru: Palm oil plantations destroy rainforest

Fri, 21 Apr 2017 00:00:00 +0200

In March 2017, Andreas Wolter, Mayor of the City of Cologne and Climate Alliance Ambassador of the UN Climate Conference in 2016, travelled to Ecuador and Peru with Thomas Brose, Executive Director of Climate Alliance. The occasion of the delegation trip was a preparatory meeting of COICA in Quito for the UN Climate Conference in Bonn in November, and a return visit to the Peruvian region Ucayali in the Amazon lowlands in the municipalities of Yarinacocha and Santa Clara. The indigenous Shipibo-Conibos, which are living there, suffer mainly from pressure from the massive expansion of palm oil plantations in their areas. Despite the legal recognition of their territory, the State reserves the right of disposals and obtains licenses for palm oil plantations. “The indigenous population sees themselves not only endangered in their rights but also in their existence,” explains Mayor Wolter.

Weitere Informationen

Photo gallery
Article (in German)

_{Photo of the study trip (from the left): Eider José Perasan Ramirez (Vice-President of Climate Alliance and Coordinator for Environment, Climate Change and Biodiversity of the COICA), Mayor Andreas Wolter, Edwin Vásquez Campos (General Coordinator of the COICA) and Thomas Brose}

Climate Alliance Lëtzebuerg: Study trip to Ecuador

Thu, 20 Apr 2017 00:00:00 +0200

In March, Climate Alliance Lëtzebuerg / ASTM organised a study trip to Ecuador. Ten local representatives from Luxembourg, representatives of Climate Alliance Lëtzebuerg and the European Secretariat as well as two journalists from RTL-Luxembourg were present. The focus of the trip was a visit to the Kichwa municipality of Sarayaku, which has been successfully campaigning against oil production in its area for many years. The delegation was welcomed by the President and the traditional Sarayaku authorities and had the opportunity to discuss with the local indigenous people their views of the world, their understanding of sustainable development, and Sumak Kausay, the concept of good life. With the project “Living Border”, the indigenous people in Sarayaku try to mark their territory and keep away intruders peacefully with flowering trees.

Climate Alliance has been cooperating with Sarayaku for many years. In the context of the EU project “The future we want – Local Authorities for Sustainable Development”, Eriberto Gualinga was the ambassador for sustainability in Europe. The project will develop alternative concepts for a global, sustainable future for all people. In September 2017 he will travel again to Europe. Here, he will present an evaluation report with political recommendations to EU representatives and also will present the report at the Climate Alliance Conference in Essen.

Further information

News of 3 March 2017
Photos and article of RTL Télé Lëtzebuerg (15 March 2017)
Photo gallery
Trip updates on Facebook
Impressions of previous delegation tours
The indigenous municipality of Sarayaku
Article (in German)

Voice your capacity building needs in Covenant of Mayors survey

Wed, 12 Apr 2017 00:00:00 +0200

Climate Alliance’s strong involvement in the Covenant of Mayors initiative has given us unparalleled opportunities to voice the needs of local authorities on an EU level. Many Climate Alliance members are also showcasing their action and sharing their expertise through this initiative.

The Covenant of Mayors Office is now conducting a survey to collect local level expectations of its capacity-building activities. This survey offers local and regional authorities, both signatories of the Covenant of Mayors and non-signatories, the opportunity to have their say about the initiative as well as the type of assistance they need in developing and implementing Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAPs).

Respondents that contribute to the survey before Friday 28 April 2017 will get a chance to win up to €400 to cover their travel and accommodation costs for the EU Sustainable Energy Week in Brussels on 20-22 June 2017. Seize the opportunity!

Your answers will help the Covenant of Mayors Office provide the capacity building tools, events and services that better suit the Covenant Community’s needs. These answers will also help define Covenant of Mayors activities for the next three years. The survey is being conducted for the European Commission with the support of the Committee of the Regions. Thank you for your participation!

Further information

Funding for public procurement of energy efficiency solutions

Tue, 11 Apr 2017 00:00:00 +0200

Climate Alliance has long recognised public procurement as an integral part of local climate action strategy. The EU is now offering support for the Public Procurement of Innovative Solutions for energy efficiency (PPI) via its H2020 Energy Efficiency Call for local authorities interested in the procurement of more energy-efficient and innovative solutions for products, services, and buildings. The call covers 35% of procurement costs and is open to public bodies at local, regional or national levels.

Public procurement is a powerful instrument, allowing the public sector to better use its purchasing power to purchase exactly those solutions that meet their needs, often of a higher quality and at a lower lifetime cost. The EU’s Executive Agency for SMEs (EASME) provides funding support to help public procurers overcome the perceived higher initial costs of purchased solutions and the additional efforts required to engage in a public procurement of innovation process. If you like to get some guidance on how to prepare and submit a proposal, please follow the recorded webinar organised by EASME in March 2017.

Lead by example and use this innovative instrument for your next procurement activities!

Partner with a Chinese city – deadline 10 April

Mon, 03 Apr 2017 00:00:00 +0200

European cities interested in exchanging with cities around the world working on similar challenges can now apply for the EU’s International Urban Cooperation (IUC) city-to-city cooperation programme on sustainable urban development. Submissions for pairings with the Chinese cities of Chongqing, Shantou, Zhengzhou, Changchun/Jingyue, Longyan are possible through 10 April 2017. Successful candidates will be paired with a city that faces related challenges. Representatives from each city will take part in study tours, staff exchanges, trainings and seminars, as well as jointly develop local action plans to drive sustainable urban development. Local leaders are encouraged to apply.

Learn more | Apply now (deadline 10 April)

City Cycling – Cycling for a better climate

Thu, 30 Mar 2017 00:00:00 +0200

This May Climate Alliance is kicking off the 10th round of its City Cycling campaign. The organisation is calling on members of the public and of municipal parliaments to cycle for a better climate and promote sustainable mobility. In 2017, for the first time, municipalities outside of Germany will have the opportunity to participate.

Biking instead of driving – this is one key message of the City Cycling campaign. This year, Climate Alliance is holding the campaign for the 10th time in Germany but for the first time worldwide. Registration is now open to residents of registered municipalities and regions at www.city-cycling.org. Participation pays off: with each cycled kilometre participants show their support for climate action and promote cycling in their municipality while improving its ranking in this cycling competition. City Cycling runs annually from May until September.

CITY CYCLING INTERNATIONAL

In 2017, towns, cities and regions worldwide can take part in City Cycling. “This opportunity is especially interesting for municipalities with German partner cities, for example. Municipalities across international borders can now carry out the campaign in direct competition with each other while working together in the name of sustainable mobility and climate action,” enthuses campaign manager André Muno. Participating municipalities whose official language is neither German nor English will receive a 20% discount on participation fees.

Stadtradeln is an international campaign of the Climate Alliance and is supported by Ortlieb, ABUS, Stevens Bikes, Busch + Müller, Paul Lange & Co., WSM, Trek-kingbike, Hebie and Schwalbe in Germany. Registration for municipalities is possible until September.

FURTHER INFORMATION

CONTACTS

André Muno
Project Manager, Climate Alliance
+49 69 7171 39 -11 | a.muno(at)climatealliance.org

Sarah Mekjian
Communications Director, Climate Alliance
+49 69 7171 39 -20 | s.mekjian(at)climatealliance.org

Job offer: Communications Manager

Tue, 21 Mar 2017 00:00:00 +0100

Climate Alliance is currently coordinating an EU project by the name of CAN on energy retrofits on the neighbourhood level (www.nweurope.eu/CAN). Ten partners from across Europe will help carry out this project until 2019. We are looking for support in the field of communication for this endeavor.

Project coordinator Jenny-Claire Keilmann would be happy to answer any questions you may have via telephone or email. Please be sure to send your application in German (complete with letter of motivation, CV and relevant references) along with information about the earliest possible start date via email by 17 April 2017.

Complete job offer as pdf (in German)

Contact

Jenny-Claire Keilmann
T. +49 69 7171 39 -27
j-c.keilmann(at)climatealliance.org

Cities put social network benefits to use in water management

Thu, 16 Mar 2017 00:00:00 +0100

Frankfurt am Main, 16 March 2017. The idea: A Digital Social Network supports cities and waterworks when handling with water. The four pilot cities of Jerusalem, Milton Keynes, Leicester and Sabadell work on this. They are developing and testing solutions for dealing with water issues with an EU project called POWER (Political and sOcial awareness on Water EnviRonmental challenges), in which the European city network Climate Alliance is also involved. No matter whether clean drinking water is scarce, or the region is threatened by floods, the POWER initiative is developing a user-driven Digital Social Platform to engage with stakeholders, improve governance of existing water networks, raise awareness and develop policy initiatives.

Jerusalem (Israel) lies in a semi-arid climate zone and has to cope with little water. The Regional Water Utility Hagihon manages water quality as well as water pressure and flow with its active management. The main focus of the city is to promote water conservation behaviours, quantifiable water savings and improved awareness regarding water quality.

In Milton Keynes (UK) water is scarce, too. Therefore, with the help of social awareness incentives, the total consumption should be reduced.

Leicester (UK) is endangered by surface water floods. Therefore, the city aims to strengthen the awareness of extreme weather events, such as heavy rainfall, by providing real-time river water levels and predictive warnings for combined sewer overflows in specific geographical areas of the city.

In Sabadell (Spain) water is delivered in two qualities, as drinking water and non-drinking water. The water utility CASSA wants to involve the citizens actively by implementing an information system that enables real-time information about the quality and conditions of service.

The Digital Social Platform is in the process of being populated with data and will go public in the summer of 2017. Then everyone can benefit from the experience, knowledge and information of the pilot cities. If you want to keep up to date with progress, you can subscribe to the project newsletter free of charge.

You can find further information about the EU project POWER here.

Project funded by the European Commission under the H2020 Programme, Call ICT10-2015 ‘Collective Awareness Platforms for Sustainability and Social Innovation’.

Peru: Mayor Wolter holds talks with indigenous people on palm oil

Fri, 10 Mar 2017 00:00:00 +0100

Tomorrow, Andreas Wolter, Mayor of the City of Cologne and Climate Alliance Ambassador to the UN Climate Summit 2016 in Marrakesh, and Thomas Brose, Director of Climate Alliance, will reach the Peruvian capital Lima on their tour to South America. Afterwards the journey of the two Europeans leads to Pucallpa, the capital of the Ucayali region in the Amazon lowlands.

The cultivation of palm oil and the resulting conflicts with the indigenous population are the reason for the trip to Pucallpa. There the local indigenous organisation FECONAU organised a visit program and meetings with those affected. Afterwards, Wolter and Brose, then again in Lima, talk with AIDESEP (Association for development in the Peruvian rainforest - the national indigenous organisation of COICA in Peru) on the situation of the indigenous peoples in Peru.

Since Tuesday Andreas Wolter and Thomas Brose were in Quito, the capital of Ecuador. There, a COICA meeting took place, which the two used for discussions with COICA representatives. In addition, they met with the filmmaker Sigmund Thies and representatives of a radio project in Otavalo (about 100 kilometres north of Quito).

Climate Alliance delegation heads to Ecuador

Fri, 03 Mar 2017 00:00:00 +0100

Today a Climate Alliance delegation began their 10 day journey to Ecuador. The highlight will be an face to face exchange with the indigenous rainforest municipality of Sarayaku.

The group consists of representatives from ASTM, Climate Alliance Luxembourg and the Climate Alliance European Secretariat. During their first stop in Quito, the delegation will hold talks with representatives of Ecuadorian civil society on the political system and Ecuador's management of raw materials. The journey will then lead to the oil production area in the east of the country, where the delegation will experience the impacts of oil extraction first hand.

The group will then travel onwards to the Kichwa village of Sarayaku. The village, located in the middle of the rainforest, is accessible only by canoe. There, the delegates will learn about how this indigenous community live in and with the rainforest, gaining insights into the worldview of the Kichwa and hearing their ideas on sustainable development.

Preservation of the tropical rainforests in partnership with their indigenous inhabitants is a pillar of Climate Alliance's work. Such delegation tours are thus an important tools to strengthen this partnership and promote a necessary global perspectve on climate justice and climate change.

Further information

European Environment Agency issues new report on financing adaptation

Tue, 28 Feb 2017 00:00:00 +0100

Despite budgetary challenges, cities and towns across Europe are taking action to put in place measures that will help them adapt to the impacts of climate change. A new European Environment Agency report released today highlights the opportunities open to municipalities to support adaptation measures that strengthen the resilience of their territories.

“Financing urban adaptation to climate change” takes a closer look at innovative funding options for adaptation measures such as green bonds and crowdfunding. By detailing case studies carried out in 11 cities, it highlights various projects that help cities better protect themselves from the damage caused by extreme weather events. These projects include measures such as green spaces, sustainable storm water management systems and green roofs, just to name a few. Two of the examples are featured directly from Climate Alliance member cities: Hamburg (DE), and Ghent (BE) and Bratislava (SK), which are members of the Climate Alliance working group on adaptation.

Further information

Financing urban adaptation to climate change report
European Environmental Agency press release
Climate Alliance Working Group on Adaptation
Covenant of Mayors Quick Reference Guide to Financing Opportunities (pdf)

EU Committee of the Regions adopts Climate Alliance adaptation messages

Wed, 15 Feb 2017 00:00:00 +0100

Last Thursday, the Committee of the Regions (CoR) plenary unanimously adopted an opinion on the EU Adaptation strategy supporting numerous Climate Alliance positions. Espoo City Councillor and special rapporteur Sipa Hertell drafted the opinion in close cooperation with Climate Alliance and its Working Group on Adaptation. The opinion, having previously been adopted by the CoR’s Environment Committee in December 2016, will feed into the European Commission’s review of the EU Adaptation Strategy due during the course of 2018.

Entitled “Towards a new EU climate change adaptation strategy”, the opinion calls for stronger collaboration on adaptation strategies between various levels of government. It points to the need for further capacity building for the local and regional levels, for example in terms of risk modelling tools, and for the embedding of adaptation actions into international climate treaties such as the Paris Agreement.

The opinion also reflects one of Climate Alliance’s focus topics: climate finance for municipalities. The document highlights the difficulties local and regional authorities have in accessing existing European funds such as Horizon2020, Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF), and LIFE. Hertell emphasises, “We have to consider revising pre-conditions to fast-track access to funds for committed local and regional authorities with existing risk and vulnerability assessments or climate adaption action plans".

Climate Alliance’s intensive work on the opinion has served as a starting point for closer cooperation between the Alliance and the CoR, the EU institution representing regional and local authorities. Collaboration on this dossier, in addition to Climate Alliance’s key role in the EU Covenant of Mayors, has also further strengthened ties between Climate Alliance and the European Commission.

Further information

Opinion on the EU Adaptation strategy
Opinion factsheet
Climate Alliance news on the opinion, 06.12.2016
Climate Alliance Working Group on Adaptation

Participatory financing gains boost via Citizenergy Project Award

Thu, 02 Feb 2017 00:00:00 +0100

Frankfurt, 2 February 2017. Participatory financing of sustainable energy projects, for example via crowdfunding and energy cooperatives, is becoming an increasingly important contributor to the financing of the energy transition throughout Europe and beyond. The Citizenergy portal’s 2016 Project of the Year Award has lent increased recognition to this fact: on 1 February, Spanish crowdfunding platform ECrowd! and the Mar de Fulles eco-complex received this Citizenergy honour for the pair’s outstanding contribution to a sustainable energy future. The results, presented in front of full house during a special EU Parliament event on citizen engagement, are the outcome of some 430 votes cast in December 2016.

The Citizenergy portal, created with Climate Alliance’s help, stands as Europe’s first community energy resource offering an overview of existing European crowdfunding platforms and energy cooperatives, active in advancing the energy transition. Municipalities are increasingly taking advantage of these alternative financing opportunities not only to fund their own energy projects, but as communications tools to promote public engagement. Successful examples include the Swindon Common Farm Solar project, visible on Citizenergy.

citizenergy.eu

Further information

Wanted: Municipalities serious about reducing energy and water use

Tue, 31 Jan 2017 00:00:00 +0100

Frankfurt, 31 January 2017. Climate Alliance is seeking cities and towns interested in improving the water and energy efficiency of their public buildings. By making use of smart metering to analyse and communicate electricity, gas and water data, local authorities can identify significant savings opportunities. These opportunities can lead to reductions in energy and water consumption by anywhere from 5 to 15%.

Leicester City Council (UK), Climate Alliance member city Nuremburg (Germany) and the region of Catalunya (Spain), have just completed a trial of a new system developed within the framework of the EU-funded Energy Data Innovation Network (EDI-Net) initiative and are ready to share their experience and expertise with 20 more local authorities interested in joining the initiative. These new pilot municipalities will not only be able to use the EDI-Net system free of charge, they will also get access to special online forum, a customised dashboard, a helpdesk and free training workshops. To be eligible, local authorities must be able to provide sub-hourly energy consumption data – local decision makers, financial planners, energy and climate managers are invited to express their interest.

Want to learn more? Contact us via telephone at +49 69 717139 60 or write an email to either info(at)edi-net.eu or alexander.nordhus(at)stadt.nuernberg.de

Express your interest | Newsletter sign up

The renewable energy source: Near surface geothermal energy - Available almost everywhere, but still little known

Mon, 30 Jan 2017 00:00:00 +0100

Frankfurt am Main, 30 January 2017. The Alpine region has abundant sources of renewable energy still left largely untapped. Near surface geothermal energy is still little used and little known. Climate Alliance aims to change this with the help of the GRETA initiative (Near-surface Geothermal Resources in the Territory of the Alpine Space).

The three-year EU project (2015-2018) provides guidance in the form of targeted assistance on how to access and utilise near surface geothermal energy (NSGE). On this way GRETA fosters the dissemination of knowledge of the potential of NSGE, the exchange of best-practices on a transnational basis and the development of tools for the inclusion of NSGE in local energy planning.

The project has now reached its first year, and a picture of the current situation has been established in the addressed area (Alpine area in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Slovenia and Switzerland). Throughout this first year of work, stakeholders and members of the public gave feedback on GRETA’s activities though 12 local meetings and two online questionnaires.

So far, a common methodology for a broad scale map informing stakeholders about the suitability for NSGE based on technical, environmental and legal criteria has been established. Relevant data has been identified at national scale and their processing will result in an online geographical information system.

A comparative analysis of regulations related to NSGE has been carried out. This shows how the number of territorial entities involved in defining and enforcing regulations is variable: while in France the regulations are defined at a national level, in most countries regional and national regulations are superposed.

Besides, a catalogue of existing techniques and best practices for the utilisation of NSGE in the Alpine region has been published to show the broad applicability of NSGE systems and to explain their differences. It shall help the reader to decide which type of NSGE-use is suitable to meet individual demand, taking into consideration climatic conditions.

Finally, the municipality of Cerkno (Slovenia), the district of Oberallgäu (Germany) and the region of Aosta Valley (Italy) have been selected as the three pilot areas. Here, detailed methodologies for the integration of NSGE in local energy planning will be developed and implemented.

The published documents are all freely available on the Climate Alliance website and the GRETA website.

CONTACTS

Janina Emge
Climate Alliance |　+49 69 7171 39-27 | j.emge(at)climatealliance.org

Dr. Andreas Kress
Climate Alliance |　+49 69 7171 39 -33 | a.kress(at)climatealliance.org

PROJECT PARTNERS

Academia Europea Bolzano (Italy)
ARPA Valle d'Aosta (Italy)
BRGM (France)
Climate Alliance (Germany)
Geologische Bundesanstalt (Austria)
Geološki zavod Slovenije (Slovenia)
INDURA (France)
Politecnico di Torino (Italy)
Regione Lombardia (Italy)
Technische Universität München (Germany)
Triple S-GmbH (Germany)
Universität Basel und Kantonsgeologie (Switzerland)

Supporting municipal use of citizen-based financing key to energy transition

Tue, 24 Jan 2017 00:00:00 +0100

Frankfurt/Brussels, 24 January 2017. While municipalities have a central role to play in carrying out ambitious EU goals, public funds to finance necessary sustainable energy projects are often lacking. A newly published position paper has stakeholders from across Europe pointing to alternative, citizen-based financing as a significant part of the answer.

According to the paper, crowdfunding and cooperative structures can go a long way towards filling the investment gap for the local level if given the necessary support. The document, which was written with the in put of many Climate Alliance members, has been backed by an array of investment platforms, NGOs, universities, professional associations and networks. It was issued in the framework of the EU funded Citizenergy initiative for public engagement in sustainable energy financing, of which Climate Alliance is a part.

“While many local authorities have a important renewable energy and energy efficiency projects planned, they are often too small-scale or too geographically scattered to be attractive for conventional financing via banks,” asserts municipal energy financing expert Elise Steyaert of Climate Alliance, the world’s largest city network dedicated to climate and energy issues. “Alternative financing models, integrating the public via cooperatives and crowdfunding, can help municipalities keep assets local and get around this barrier – especially in the field of sustainable energy.” In addition to bridging a financial gap, municipal use of alternative, citizen-based financing measures can help cities and towns raise vital public support for their sustainable energy efforts by motivating people to get directly involved.

Municipalities interested in making use of alternative financing, however, face a number of hurdles. The paper points to local level uncertainty as to the viability of alternative financing solutions, the legal frameworks surrounding their use and the possibilities to integrate them with conventional finance. Other factors stifling the spread of alternative financing solutions for sustainable energy on the local level include procurement barriers, which can make it difficult to work with potential solution providers and debt ceilings, which restrict the amount of debt local authorities can raise on their assets.

The paper expressly welcomes the European Commission’s efforts thus far in support of crowdfunding and other alternative models. It calls, however, for further moves to increase the stability of related regulatory frameworks and pro-active support of crowdfunding and cooperative structures.

The EU’s Energy Union strategy states that the citizen should be placed at the core of matters and “take ownership of the energy transition.” The stakeholders behind this recent paper see both alternative financing models and local authorities as integral to making this vision a reality.

Further information

Position paper (pdf)
Information on the legal framework for crowdfunding
Citizenergy platform
Press release as a pdf

Contacts

Sarah Mekjian
Climate Alliance | T. +49 (0)69 717 139 -20 | s.mekjian@climatealliance.org

Francesca Passeri
European Crowdfunding Network | T. +32 (0)493 735 983 | francesca.passeri@eurocrowd.org

_{CITIZENERGY
Crowdfunding platforms and cooperatives both enable individuals to directly invest in sustainable energy, but it is difficult to get an overview of the possibilities. Citizenergy changes all this. Made possible by European Union funding, Citizenergy is the first platform to encourage cross-border investment in sustainable energy and the first to provide information on sustainable energy opportunities from both crowdfunding platforms and cooperatives. It reinforces the work of such organisations in financing renewable and energy efficiency projects, increasing their reach while promoting transparency. The Tripadvisor of our sustainable energy landscape, Citizenergy is a valuable resource for individuals looking to get involved in the energy revolution. citizenergy.eu}

Climate Alliance city Hasselt closes EU Commission event on energy efficiency

Mon, 23 Jan 2017 00:00:00 +0100

Some 400 key stakeholders from cities, regions, industry and the financial sector gathered in Brussels on 18 and 19 January to discuss financing energy efficiency at the operational level. Joost Venken, Deputy Mayor of Hasselt (Belgium), represented Climate Alliance in his closing of the event alongside Marie Donnelly of the European Commission and other senior representatives. His message: engage local decision makers as well as local populations in energy saving programmes and provide support for smaller municipalities to get their sustainable energy investment projects off the ground.

The EU Commission event featured a lively platform for exchange on topics including the European Commission's recent communication on Clean Energy for All Europeans. The communication supports the energy efficiency first principle and establishes a Smart Finance for Smart Buildings initiative, which helps make private financing for sustainable energy in buildings more readily accessible.
A parallel session during the event was dedicated to Climate Alliance's work with innovative financing models to help local authorities take on large-scale and deep energy efficiency retrofits via the CITYnvest project.

Further information, recordings and presentations of the event

Passive House school yields convincing results

Tue, 03 Jan 2017 00:00:00 +0100

The newbuild of the Sankt Franziskus elementary school in Climate Alliance City of Halle (DE) stands as the region’s first ever school to be built to the Passive House Standard. In February 2014, 200 students and teachers moved into the new building and soon thereafter, the University of Magdeburg-Stendal began monitoring the building’s performance. Preliminary results have demonstrated proof of concept: the wooden construction consumes 90 percent less heating energy than comparable elementary schools in Germany. Many Climate Alliance municipalities have thus far come to know the benefits of the Passive House first hand – Climate Alliance sees Passive House as exemplary in terms of energy efficiency and as an optimal basis for climate-friendly architecture.

Global damage caused by illegal timber trade

Thu, 08 Dec 2016 00:00:00 +0100

Frankfurt, 8 December 2016. The illegal logging and trafficking of wood causes an annual damage of more than 152 billion US dollars worldwide and is affecting the environment, the economy and societies. The existing laws and regulations are not sufficient to curb current activities in this area. This is the result of a recent report by the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO). The report shows that trade agreements between countries with the aim of ensuring the legal origin of timber have led to the shift of illegal trade to other less regulated markets. For example, China and India are currently the largest importers of illegally traded tropical timber, while Russia is the main source of illegally traded wood from boreal and temperate forests.

Learn more

Call for greater involvement of cities and regions in EU adaptation policy

Tue, 06 Dec 2016 00:00:00 +0100

Frankfurt/Brussels, 5 December 2016. Last week signaled the first step in a possible breakthrough for both Climate Alliance and European adaptation policy. Last Thursday, the Commission for the Environment, Climate Change and Energy of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) adopted an “own-initiative opinion” drafted in collaboration with Climate Alliance on the review of the 2013 EU adaptation strategy.

The CoR, the EU institution representing regional and local authorities, is currently developing an opinion to guide the European Commission’s review of the EU Adaptation Strategy, due to begin next year. Climate Alliance is directly involved in this process as the chosen advisor of Sirpa Hertell, a member of the city council of the Finnish city Espoo who is in charge of drafting the opinion.

Members of Climate Alliance’s Working Group on Adaptation were able to directly discuss the opinion with Ms. Hertell during their last meeting in October in Krems (Austria). Their concrete feedback shaped the opinion, for example by adding an increased focus on awareness -raising for adaptation measures.

The collaboration with Ms. Hertell has resulted in a strengthened position for Europe’s cities and regions in their appeals to the European institutions and national governments. These include calls to encourage collaboration between levels of government on adaptation, to increase investment in capacity building, to close knowledge and information gaps at the local level and to support cities’ and regions’ access to public and private financing in funding adaptation.

Climate Alliance will continue its active involvement in the review process of the EU adaptation strategy and keep informing and engaging its members, especially in collaboration with its Working Group on Adaptation.

More information

Climate Alliance Working Group on Adaptation
October Working Group meeting in Krems
Committee of the Regions draft opinion “Towards a new EU climate change adaptation strategy – taking an integrated approach”

Newsletter eClimail: International Climate Alliance Conference and Climate Star Gala

Wed, 30 Nov 2016 00:00:00 +0100

From 5 to 8 October 2016, the International Climate Alliance Conference took place in the Lower Austrian city of Krems an der Donau. The occasion was also marked by the festive Climate Star Gala held in Grafenegg Castle: it was the first time Climate Stars were awarded within the framework programme of the Annual Conference.You have missed the last International Climate Alliance Conference? No problem, you can read all about it in the newest eClimail: Which speech stood in the focus of the conference? Which workshops took place? And - not at least - who is member of the Climate Alliance Executive Board by now?

Learn more

Implementing the Covenant of Mayors in Belgium and Benin

Mon, 21 Nov 2016 00:00:00 +0100

Frankfurt/Brussels, 21 November 2016. The municipal council of Zoersel, a long-standing Climate Alliance member, gave its green light in September to sign the Covenant of Mayors, the world’s largest urban climate and energy initiative. It has already been signed by more than 7.100 local authorities in Europe and beyond.

Zoersel is the first of this large community of European signatories to commit to the Covenant jointly with its partner city Bohicon in Benin. Bohicon already plays an active part of the Covenant of Mayors initiative in Sub-Saharan Africa and will receive support from the Covenant of Mayors office in Sub-Saharan Africa to plan and implement actions on the ground as selected Covenant pilot city.

At the joint signing ceremony organized on 21 November by Climate Alliance as official Covenant Supporter, the mayors of the two frontrunner cities pledged to back each other in this process. Deputy Mayor or Bohicon, Mr. Sanni Mama commented: “We are fully aware of the big challenge which climate change represents, and we are counting to work together during the coming years to contribute our efforts.”

The two cities can look back on a long history of strong collaboration, which will now be extended to the field of climate change adaptation and mitigation with the goal to fullfil the objectives of the Covenant of Mayors.

Climate Alliance is part of the offices running both the Covenant of Mayors initiative in Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa on behalf of the European Commission, and supports its members in developing and implementing their Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAPs) as part of their efforts in the Covenant.

“Climate Alliance has a long history of supporting cooperation between local authorities in different regions of the world. We are happy that Zoersel is taking this forward and hope that many members will follow this example and see the great potential of north-south cooperation which the global extension of the Covenant of Mayors is opening up“, congratulated Thomas Brose, Executive Director of Climate Alliance.

Europe’s children demand UN Climate Summit delegates be better role models

Mon, 14 Nov 2016 14:00:00 +0100

Marrakech / Frankfurt, 14 November 2016. Climate action shouldn’t only be left to the grown-ups. Today, Climate Alliance presented the climate protection efforts of 174,624 children spread over 10 countries to UN Climate Secretariat Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa. The children earned a total of 1,741,200 “green footprints” within the framework of Climate Alliance’s ZOOM campaign by making climate-friendly trips to school, saving energy in their classrooms, eating regional foods and choosing notebooks made with recycled paper. The handover of the footprints along with the children’s wishes and demands for the future took place during the 22nd Climate Summit currently being held in Marrakech.

“These 1.7 million green footprints represent the efforts and engagement of children in over 1100 schools, kindergartens and other day-care facilities,” stressed Climate Alliance Austria Director Markus Hafner-Auinger while presenting the green footprints along with the children's concrete wishes and demands to Ms Espinosa. “Today we are not only here to celebrate how much the ZOOM Kids already did – we are asking you, Ms Espinosa, to relay the children’s messages to the delegates of COP22. They want them to be better role models and fill the Paris Agreement with both concrete and creative climate action – much like the children do in their schools and at home with their parents.”

Especially prominent this year amongst the children’s demands was the recognition of a need for action. The children asked UN Climate Conference participants to bring the Paris Agreement to life through their policies. Messages sent by many of the older children also highlighted the understanding that they will have to pay for today’s weak regulations, as will their own children in the future. Hafner-Auinger, in the company of UN Youth Delegates and local as well as national representatives of participating ZOOM countries, invited Executive Secretary Espinosa to deliver these important messages to the delegates of the conference.

Climate Alliance’s ZOOM – Kids on the Move campaign has been helping children learn about sustainability and the climate since 2002 during special activity weeks throughout the school year. Through the campaign, which is open to interested educational facilities in Europe and beyond, children send messages to their communities, work with their teachers to contact their local politicians and express their hopes to international leaders at the annual UN Climate Summits.

This year, children from Austria, Belarus, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Romania and Sweden called upon politicians at all levels to serve as better role models for climate action. Their “wishprints” for the climate politicians were filled with demands and hopes such as, "I want all food to come by sailboat, because they run on the wind and that does not make any emissions," "Please make sure there are less exhaust fumes," "We need plants - they make oxygen for us," and "Everybody should be happy. Everybody should have a good life.” The clear message for legislators: Act now to save our climate!

Further information and photos

Photos for the press available on Flickr
ZOOM Campaign overall results for 2016
ZOOM Campaign information country by country
ZOOM Report 2016 (pdf) with children’s statements

CONTACTS

Claudia Schury
Climate Alliance, ZOOM Coordinator | T. +49 69 717 139 -22 | c.schury(at)climatealliance.org

Sarah Mekjian
Climate Alliance, Communications | T. +49 69 717 139 -20 | s.mekjian(at)climatealliance.org

_{THE ZOOM CAMPAIGN
Since 2002, ZOOM has been helping children across Europe learn about the influences of their daily actions on the climate and encouraging them to become role models for both their parents and climate politicians. During at least a one week period, children in participating classes collect so-called ‘green footprints’ for every sustainable trip completed via public transport, bike or foot as well as for other environmentally-friendly habits such as sustainable nutrition. These footprints are presented to the participants and politicians at the UNFCCC’s annual Climate Conferences. zoom-kidsforclimate.eu}

Climate Alliance at COP22 in Marrakech

Wed, 09 Nov 2016 00:00:00 +0100

Climate Alliance is, in this year as in years past, present at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP22) from 7 to 18 November 2016 in Marrakech with its own side event “Local and national climate action in a governance perspective” and strong involvement in the second “Climate Summit for Local and Regional Leaders”. The two Climate Alliance Ambassadors Steen Christiansen, Mayor of Albertslund, and Andreas Wolter, Deputy Mayor of the City of Cologne will of course feature prominently in both events.

The the Green Footprints collected by 175,000 children from ten European countries (Austria, Belarus, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Sweden) will also be handed over to to the conference participants and Patricia Espinosa, new UNFCCC Executive Director.

Last year's COP negotiations led to the adoption of the Paris Agreement, which calls for greenhouse gas reductions from 2020 onwards. The agreement entered into force on 4 November 2016, just days before the start of COP22, as it has already been ratified by 55 countries responsible for more than 55 percent of the global greenhouse gas emissions. Now it’s time for action: the task of governmental delegations will be to define concrete steps towards the greenhouse gas emissions reductions agreed upon in the Paris Agreement.

Brazil’s first indigenous mayor elected to power

Thu, 03 Nov 2016 00:00:00 +0100

October 2016. The municipality of Marechal Thaumaturgo’s 15,000 inhabitants have elected Brazil’s first ever indigenous mayor. Isaac Piyãko received over 56 percent of the votes in Marechal Thaumaturgo in the State of Acre. While the position of deputy mayor for Santa Rosa do Purus, also in the State of Acre, was once filled by an indigenous nominee, never has an indigenous representative been elected mayor in Brazil.

Isaac Piyãko aspires reduce the existing racism through good leadership. “There is a lot of racism and prejudice against indigenous peoples. But I am sure I can revise and dismantle prejudices through good governance.” Congratulations and good luck from Climate Alliance!

Climate Alliance members and the Committee of the Regions - In dialogue on adaptation

Thu, 03 Nov 2016 00:00:00 +0100

Working group on adaptation discusses EU adaptation strategy with key EU representatives

Brussels / Frankfurt am Main, 3 November 2016. Climate Alliance's Working Group on Adaptation took advantage of October's 2016 International Conference in Krems, Austria to hold its second face to face meeting since the launch of the working group last year. The European Adaptation Strategy and its review, due in 2017, ranked high on the agenda. Climate Alliance has a direct say in the process thanks to collaboration with Sirpa Hertell, city councilor of the Finnish City of Espoo. Hertell, in charge of drafting an opinion for the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) on the 2013 EU adaptation strategy review, has designated Climate Alliance as her main advisor on the matter.

During the Working Group in Krems, Hertell was joined by Giuliana Torta of the European Commission, who provided working group members with more details about the Commission's review plans for the strategy. Torta also underlined the involvement of local authorities in the process, particularly through networks like Climate Alliance.

Members of the working group made use of the opportunity to enter into a direct dialogue with representatives of European institutions to voice their suggestions for the review of the adaptation strategy. Calling for increased European support in raising awareness on the need to take action on adaptation, they cited municipal administrative staff, local politicians and the public as key target groups. They also advocated for improved cooperation between different levels of government.

Practical exchanges on concrete adaptation measures that Climate Alliance members are already implementing followed the high-level exchanges with the EU representatives. Rainer Kapp of the City of Stuttgart presented his experience with urban heat islands and Mayor Hans-Joachim Kosubek shared the conclusions of the City of Worms' own adaptation strategy. From a mayor's perspective, Kosubek gave valuable advice to the group on how to involve local political leaders in taking action on adaptation to climate change.

Read further information on the Working Group on Adaptation

Want to learn more? Contact adaptation(at)climatealliance.org

Best climate action projects in Europe awarded

Mon, 10 Oct 2016 00:00:00 +0200

Grafenegg Castle / Frankfurt am Main, 10 October 2016. On Thursday evening in Lower Austria’s Grafenegg Castle, 15 municipalities, regions and associations of local authorities from seven European countries were awarded with a Climate Star for their outstanding climate action initiatives. The local projects cover a wide range of topics from energy and mobility to food systems and sustainable procurement up to climate justice and climate change adaptation. The winners demonstrate that communication is a key success factor, whether between local authorities and their inhabitants, with other municipalities and regions as well as with partners in the Global South.

European local authorities were honoured this year for the seventh time with a Climate Star but it was the first time the awards ceremony took place in the framework of the Climate Alliance International Conference. From 5 to 8 October, hundreds of local representatives united in Krems under the motto “A culture of local climate action ‒ Mainstreaming good practice”. The Government of Lower Austria along with the Climate Alliance European Secretariat and Climate Alliance Austria made both events possible.

All initiatives submitted for a 2016 Climate Star were assessed by an international jury of Climate Alliance representatives from Austria, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg and Switzerland on the basis of their sustainability, innovation, potential as multipliers and potential for media coverage as well as their involvement of the public. More than 200 European municipalities and associations of local authorities with a total of more than 50 million inhabitants applied.

Awarded initiatives

Up to 10,000 inhabitants

•    Municipality of Alsómocsolád (Hungary; 337 inhabitants)
      Village of the Future.
•    Municipality of Krumbach (Austria; 2,250 inhabitants)
      “local to global” actions for climate justice
•    Municipality of Krumpendorf (Austria; 2,850 inhabitants)
      “live smart” Climate Ambassadors with energy saving tips for asylum seekers
•    Municipality of Ober-Grafendorf (Austria; 4,650 inhabitants)
      Eco Street
•    Municipality of Sarentino (Italy; 7,000 inhabitants)
      Wood power Sarentino

10,000 and 100,000 inhabitants

•    City of Esch-sur-Alzette (Luxembourg; 33,900 inhabitants)
      Den Escher Geméisguard
•    City of Filderstadt (Germany; 45,200 inhabitants)
      E-E-S-mentors (ecology, energy and sustainability mentors) by immigrants for immigrants
•    Municipality of Götzis (Austria; 10,100 inhabitants)
      energy.conscious.götzis – citizens on the path to energy autarchy
•    City of Karposh (Macedonia; 59,900 inhabitants)
      Reconstructed public facilities in Karposh
•    City of Pesaro (Italy; 94,700 inhabitants)
      Public tender for heat services in existing buildings

Over 100,000 inhabitants

•    City of Basel (Switzerland; 167,400 inhabitants)
      2000 watt tours / solar boat trip to the 2000 watt society

Associations of local authorities

•    Region Korneuburg (Austria; 19 municipalities with 74,900 inhabitants)
      ISTmobile, the micro-public transport system in Lower Austria
•    Gossau - St.Gallen - Gaiserwald (Switzerland; 100,800 inhabitants)
      Energy network GSG (Gossau - St.Gallen - Gaiserwald)
•    Network ALTBAUNEU (Germany; 20 cities and districts with 7,176,900 inhabitants)
      ALTBAUNEU - an initiative of districts and cities in North Rhine-Westphalia
•    Future space Thayaland (Austria; 15 municipalities with 27,470 inhabitants)
      "Electric mobility Thayaland" moved by solar power

Further information

Contacts
Angela Hanisch, Climate Alliance European Secretariat, T. +49 69 717139-12, a.hanisch(at)climatealliance.org

Hannes Höller, Climate Alliance Austria, T. +43 664 853 94 09, hannes.hoeller(at)klimabuendnis.at

The Mobile Green Living Room Roadshow – a feast for the senses

Fri, 19 Aug 2016 00:00:00 +0200

Frankfurt. The Mobile Green Living Room will be touring Europe until 8 October – its appearance in Frankfurt from 19 to 21 August marks the next stop on its three-month tour, with subsequent showings slated for London, Antwerp, Brussels, Ljubljana, Zagreb and Krems. Today, Frankfurt‘s City Councillor for Environment Rosemarie Heilig invited journalists to take a seat in the living room and outlined Frankfurt’s Climate Fund, which will see some 10 million euros invested in the greening of roofs, facades, courtyards and other spaces. “We need more green spaces that improve well-being while curbing heat and noise, especially in the densely built neighbourhoods in and around the inner city.”

More than 70 percent of the European Union’s population currently lives in cities, where mitigation and adaptation to climate change are crucial to improving our quality of life. The Mobile Green Living Room does just this in several important ways. Bursting with scent and colour, the Green Living Room not only offers a social space for people to meet, but also provides a habitat for wildlife, reduces heat islands, diminishes storm water runoff, reduces noise pollution and absorbs carbon dioxide. The Mobile Green Living Room is a unique exhibition that allows people to experience green infrastructure with a very hands on approach. It gives local authorities the opportunity to appreciate the visual and aesthetic benefits a Green Living Room can offer urban locations and assess the functional use of green infrastructure.

The idea was developed in the German town of Ludwigsburg within the framework of the EU-funded project known as TURAS (Transitioning towards Urban Resilience and Sustainability). The city administration wanted to create a green oasis for its residents in the inner city district but had little space to spare – only an old car park. It was there that the now popular Green Living Room was built.

The TURAS project aims to find creative ideas and solutions for a sustainable development of the urban environment. To this end, TURAS partners engage in a variety of topics ranging from circular economy to integrated flood management, balancing urban expansion and many more.

Climate Alliance, the world’s largest city network dedicated to climate action with over 1700 members, is responsible for the dissemination of TURAS solutions towards local authorities. The Mobile Green Living Room Roadshow is thus stopping in a number of Climate Alliance member cities such as Bonn, Frankfurt am Main and Vienna. In Krems, Austria, visitors will be able to experience the exhibit during International Climate Alliance Conference from 5 to 8 October at the IMC University of Applied Sciences.

Links

Photos of the Mobile Green Living Room
Information on green infrastructure – Living Walls
Further TURAS Solutions
International Climate Alliance Conference

Contacts
Sarah Mekjian, T. +49 69 717 139 20, s.mekjian(at)climatealliance.org
Dr. Andreas Kress, T. +49 69 717 139 33, a.kress(at)climatealliance.org

Indigenous People's Right to Education

Tue, 09 Aug 2016 00:00:00 +0200

Frankfurt am Main, 9 August 2016. The 2016 International Day on the World's Indigenous Peoples is devoted to the right of indigenous peoples to education protected by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, ILO Convention 169 and of course by Article 14 of the United Nations' Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Sustainable Development Goal 4, adopted in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly, also demands equal access to all levels of education and vocational training while SDG 4.7 considers culture to be a fundamental and transformative dimension of sustainable development.

We cite the UN backgrounder on the Indigenous Day 2016: "The education sector is a particular arena that not only mirrors and condenses the historical abuses, discrimination and marginalization suffered by indigenous peoples, but also reflects their continued struggle for equality and respect for their rights as peoples and as individuals."

Different cultural values and spiritual traditions are the basis of different relations between human beings and nature that have to be fully considered and respected. As regards the continued struggle we would like to refer to three cases among many:

In Peru in the rainforest region of Loreto indigenous communities object against the transformation of the Zona Reservada Yaguas into a National Park that would deny the access of the indigenous peoples to their ancestral land. The country is not only the basis of their livelihood, but also the basis of their traditional knowledge and teaching. They demand the creation of a Reserva Comunal under community leadership. We fully support this demand.

In Suriname on 9 August the state and the indigenous communities celebrate the 10 th anniversary of the National Day on Indigenous Peoples, a public holiday to express the respect towards Suriname's indigenous peoples. The day indicates that indigenous organisations asserted many years against violence, oppression and persecution of indigenous peoples on their own land. We congratulate our indigenous partners for this success in one of their many struggles.

In Brazil environmental authorities have recently rejected the licence for the hydroelectric mega-project São Luiz do Tapajós because studies on the impact on the environment and the local indigenous Mundurukú communities were missing. This example shows that resistance can be successful!

We - INFOE and the city network Climate Alliance - therefore call on the international community to watch out, listen to, and respect the voices and demands of indigenous peoples. Furthermore pledges and promises must be translated into action. We therefore call on the European Union and national governments, that have not yet done so, to ratify the ILO Convention 169, to contribute to the protection of indigenous territories, to protect their culture and to ensure the right on education. Only on the basis of guaranteed rights and the legally protected access to their territories and resources indigenous peoples can continue to contribute in their specific and significant way to sustainable development.

As regards the issue of the protection of climate and forests, a matter where we work together for years, we understand that following all these talks and written documents in the course of the international negotiations we now have to work together to see to indigenous practices, concepts and ideas being protected, strengthened and realized on the ground.

Contacts

Thomas Brose
Climate Alliance
T. +49 (0)69 - 717139 -31
t.brose(at)climatealliance.org

Elke Rothkop-Falley
INFOE
T. + 49 (0)221 - 73928 71
elke(at)infoe.de

Climate Alliance and its 1700 member municipalities have been acting for more than 25 years in partnership with indigenous rainforest peoples for the benefit of the global climate. Recognising the impact our lifestyles can have on the world's most vulnerable people and places, Climate Alliance pairs local action with global responsibility. The network fosters cooperation with indigenous peoples, runs awareness raising campaigns and develops tools for climate action planning.

INFOE has been supporting indigenous organis ations in the defense of their environment, rights and cultures since 1987. With its activities, INFOE follows the demands and needs of its indigenous partners. The current focuses are the protection of climate, forests and territories, indigenous rights and SDGs, the UN Principles on Business and Human Rights, hydropower mega-projects.
infoe.de

Job vacancy at the Climate Alliance Brussels Office

Tue, 26 Jul 2016 00:00:00 +0200

Frankfurt/Brussels. -Application deadline extended- Climate Alliance is currently looking for a Project Officer for the Covenant of Mayors to join the highly motivated, multinational and multilingual Brussels team.

More information on the job vacancy: Project Officer (pdf)

To apply, please send a motivation letter and your CV (preferably in Europass format) to: brussels(at)climatealliance.org

New closing date for applications: 12 August 2016 (Only short listed candidates will be contacted).

Call for Climate Alliance Ambassadors at COP22

Wed, 13 Jul 2016 00:00:00 +0200

Brussels/Frankfurt. Last year’s Climate Alliance COP21 Ambassadors call allowed a group of local leaders to show their commitment to climate action in Paris and to witness the historic adoption of the Paris Agreement. This year’s call will again enable select local leaders to participate in the 22nd session of the Conference of Parties (COP22) to be held in Marrakech, Morocco from 7-18 November. On behalf of both Climate Alliance and their municipalities, these ambassadors will show nations worldwide how local governments are taking action on climate change, underlining the importance of cooperation between the international, national and local level in implementing the Paris Agreement. A shift from “action by a few to action by all” is urgently required in order to achieve the goals of the Agreement.

On the lookout for committed mayors
We are looking for two committed mayors with good English skills who are ready to speak on behalf of Climate Alliance during the COP22, sharing inspiring examples from their cities and passing on our key messages to global leaders. Climate Alliance will provide UNFCCC accreditations to these two mayors. As these accreditations are scarce, the Ambassadors should be available for at least two or three days to make the most of their time at COP22.

Want to become a Climate Alliance Ambassador?
Let us know why you should be selected as our ambassador as well as your preferred week for attending COP22. Please contact us by 9 September either via email to brussels(at)climatealliance.org or by telephone at +32 02 400 1062.

Meet last year’s Ambassadors here and read about their experience in our COP21 blog.

CONTACT

Pirita Lindholm, Climate Alliance, T. +32 02 400 1062, brussels(at)climatealliance.org

Release of the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy Reporting Framework and Guidelines

Wed, 06 Jul 2016 00:00:00 +0200

Frankfurt/Brussels. The Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy was launched in October 2015, adopting the European Union’s 2030 energy and climate objectives and an integrated approach to climate change mitigation and adaptation. To date, over 180 local authorities have signed up to the new commitments. Many Climate Alliance members have further made their dedication to climate action visible by signing the Covenant of Mayors. The city of Ghent in Belgium was the first city to adopt the new Covenant commitments. Other members such as Nürnberg in Germany and Cesena in Italy have also signed up to the new Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy.

To support new signatories in their climate and energy planning process as well as in tracking progress on the implementation of their commitments, the Covenant of Mayors reporting framework has been updated. The new reporting framework and guidance were the result of a consultative process with practitioners from local and regional authorities and other key stakeholders led by the Covenant of Mayors and Mayors Adapt Offices, in particular by Climate Alliance team of experts. The Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP) Template now enables new signatories to report on their 2030 mitigation targets and actions as well as on climate adaptation. It offers a set of graphical displays to help signatories to better visualise and understand their performance over time.

For the time being the SECAP Template is available only in an Excel format. The objective is to provide new signatories with a working version of the future online template foreseen to be available in 2017. The Covenant online reporting platform remains the official means for submitting Action Plans and monitoring reports in the frame of the initiative.

Local authorities committed to the 2020 Covenant of Mayors commitments will continue using the online platform while signatories to the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy will be able to use the online platform only from 2017.

Download the SECAP template (Excel) and the reporting guidelines in the Covenant of Mayors website library
Visit the Covenant of Mayors FAQs for further information

New brochure on indigenous strategies for comprehensive forest protection

Sat, 02 Jul 2016 00:00:00 +0200

Frankfurt am Main. With "A critical look at REDD+ and indigenous strategies for comprehensive forest protection" we wish to take a critical look at development of the REDD+ instrument and to present the alternative approaches of indigenous peoples dwelling in Amazonia.

The brochure provides and overview of the relationship between forests and climate protection in addition to the role of indigenous peoples and outtlines the development of the REDD+ instrument within the scope of the international climate process. A compilation of critical contributions to the concept and implementation of the first pilot projects is also portrayed, along with details of their impact on the local population. In its final chapter, the brochure is devoted to alternative concepts and approaches developed by indigenous communities and organisations. These have been presented at international conferences, such as the COP21 in Paris, and discussed with representatives from state and non-state stakeholders. Indigenous women from Peru also have their say: they have prepared a declaration on climate change from their perspective.

The brochure is available in English and German, if you would like to have a printed version, please contact us!

Want to find out more? Contact climatejustice(at)climatealliance.org.

Launch of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy

Fri, 24 Jun 2016 00:00:00 +0200

Frankfurt/Brussels, 24 June 2016. This week, a momentous merger was announced by European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič and UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change Michael R. Bloomberg between two initiatives coordinating mayors on climate action: the Covenant of Mayors and the Compact of Mayors. The newly formed “Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy” initiative forms today the largest global coalition of cities committed to climate leadership. “Mayors and regional leaders are in the driver seat, (…) they are the best placed to design the solutions needed in cities” said European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič at the press conference held on 22nd June in Brussels.

Both initiatives have been working to unite cities and support them in fighting climate change. The Covenant of Mayors, launched by the European Commission in 2008 and boasting over 6,800 signatories and hundreds of provinces and regions stands as the world’s largest city-led initiative on climate action. Recognised as a first-of-its-kind bottom-up movement, it covers roughly a third of the EU population in 58 countries. The movement has done much to boost recognition of local authorities’ importance throughout EU climate and energy policy, paving the way for effective multi-level governance. Following on the heals of this success, the Compact of Mayors was founded in 2014 by Michael Bloomberg, UN Secretary-General Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change. The Compact currently unites some 500 cities and has a global reach. The fusion of these two movements will thus create a united and global front on climate action, comprised of 7,100 cities and representing more than 600 million people in 119 countries. The work of all the world’s major city networks, including Climate Alliance, will be crucial in bringing this initiative forward.

Climate Alliance, one of the key forces in the running of the Covenant of Mayors office, has long advocated for global action on the local level, standing behind the recommendation to export the Covenant of Mayors model worldwide. Climate Alliance is prepared to share the experience gained over the last eight years through the operation of the Covenant of Mayors Secretariat to ensure the newly formed Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy is built upon the principles behind the Covenant’s success.

Through the Covenant of Mayors, a new paradigm has emerged, based on grassroots democracy, genuine political commitment, action and multi-level cooperation. We like to think that this Global movement will pursue an inclusive and all-embarking governance process, while continuing ensuring a coherent framework that empowers local authorities and fosters local actions. This now global movement will hopefully provide local leaders with an even stronger voice in international climate policy and action.

More information:
European Commission’s Press Release
Video of the Press Conference launching the Global Covenant
‘Charter’ for the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy
The Global Covenant of Mayors Factsheet
Climate Alliance recommendations for the future of the Covenant of Mayors

Green Public procurement award

Fri, 17 Jun 2016 00:00:00 +0200

Frankfurt/Brussels. To mark the highlight of the four years project Green ProcA on green public procurement (GPP), the Conference and GPP Award Ceremony was held at the Climate Alliance Brussels Office yesterday. After the vivid discussion among procurement stakeholders from Eastern Europe and Italy about the barriers and solutions of ecological public purchasing, twelve European projects were rewarded due to their outstanding local efforts on green public procurement. Thomas Pensel of the Energieagentur Rheinland-Pfalz honoured the winning organisations and stressed their forerunner role as best practice examples in their subject area: "As a means of innovative procurement all of the winners of the EU GPP Award showed that environmental purchasing plus considerable savings can be achieved at the same time".

The winners in the three size categories are the following:

Up to 10,000 inhabitants

GOLD
Sustainable Salve l Municipality of Salve, Italy

SILVER
Renewable energy and energy saving l Municipality of Melpignano, Italy

BRONZE
Energetic Development of the Public Buildings of the City Municipality of Ajak l City Municipality of Ajak, Hungary

Honourable Mention
Renovation and reconstruction of heat supply systems and heating systems in 'Bozhura Furnadzheva' kindergarten and nursery l Bratsigovo Municipality, Bulgaria

10,000 to 100,000 inhabitants

GOLD
Construction of a biomass-fired CHP plant as the primary heat source in the heating system of the city of Lębork l City of Lębork, Poland

SILVER
Fully autarchic energy supply of electricity and heat from regenerative energies l Stadtwerke Weilheim i.OB Kommunalunternehmen, Germany

BRONZE
LED lamps for the energy-related renovation of the street lighting l Technische Betriebe Dormagen AöR - Straßen (TBD), Germany

Honourable Mention
Modernization of public lighting in the Municipality of Prešov using the LED technology l Mesto Prešov, Slovakia

More than 100,000 inhabitants

GOLD
Video interpretation service l Bundesbeschaffung GmbH (BBG), Vienna, Austria

SILVER
GPP in the Covenant of Mayors actionsl Municipality of Turin, Italy

BRONZE
Network management for the promotion of the A.P.E. projectl Turin Metropolitan City, Italy

Honourable Mention
Increase energy efficiency in +30 blocks of flats (Group I-VII) Cluj Municipality, Romania l Development Department and EU Projects, Ciytown Hall Cluj Municipality, Romania

Further information and photos
gpp-proca.eu/eu-gpp-award/ceremony

Contact
Christiane Kretschmer, T. +49-69-717139-20, c.kretschmer(at)climatealliance.org
Dr. Andreas Kress, T. +49-69-717139-33, a.kress(at)climatealliance.org

Climate Alliance Working Group meets the Urban Development Division of the European Investment Bank

Wed, 15 Jun 2016 00:00:00 +0200

Frankfurt/Brussels. The Climate Alliance members of the working group on financing discussed with representatives of the European Investment Bank (EIB) on Wednesday 15 June in order to find out how they can make use of Municipal Framework Loans. Gerry Muscat, head of the urban development division of the EIB, highlighted these loans as the "biggest untapped potential" for multi-sector climate and energy financing at the local level.

During the discussion, members learned more about this still little known system, in which the EIB agrees on tailored packages with individual local authorities. These packages consist of a set of projects spanning various sectors and varying in size (including below €1 million); the funding period lasts from 3 to 5 years with a typical loan maturity of 20 to 25 years. The loans are designed to be very flexible: new projects can be added and older ones can be removed, as long as the local authority’s strategic priorities, which can include sustainable mobility, climate adaptation, sustainable energy and waste management, remain clear. The framework loans can also be blended with structural and investment funds as well as other sources of private or municipal funding.

The EIB and Climate Alliance have agreed to continue collaboration on Municipal Framework Loans. The first step will see members of the Working Group of Financing complement the EIB’s set of frequently asked questions with their own suggestions.

The working group also discussed a range of other topics during its third meeting in 2016, including experiences from the members on energy performance contracting for the public, a review of the European Fund for Strategic Investments one year after its launch, and ways to improve European financing programmes to better account for the constraints and realities of local authorities.

Want to learn more? Contact financing(at)climatealliance.org

New EU project POWER published best practices on water management for four cities

Tue, 07 Jun 2016 00:00:00 +0200

Fankfurt am Main. POWER, the EU funded initiative on political and social awareness on water environmental challenges, published an analysis of best practices in city water management. Rapid urbanisation, climate change, and inadequate maintenance of water and waste infrastructures in cities may lead to flooding, water scarcity, water pollution, adverse health effects, and rehabilitation costs that may overwhelm the resilience of cities. These megatrends pose urgent challenges in cities as the cost of inaction is high.

The report is focusing on issues of how communities in general could improve effectiveness and enhance water management, taking into account the expenses involved as well as the likely effectiveness in the city and the neighbourhood. In the document the authors have listed best practices in city water management with regard to each issue of the pilot cities:

Flood risk (pilot city Leicester)
Water scarcity (pilot city Milton Keynes)
Variables related to water conservation (pilot city Jerusalem)
Water quality (pilot city Sabadell)

To download the complete report, please proceed to POWER project website at: www.power-h2020.eu

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About POWER
The project will set up a user-driven Digital Social Platform (DSP) for the expansion and governance of POWER existing water networks. The project "Political and sOcial awareness on Water EnviRonmental challenges" (POWER) has been funded by the EU under the H2020-ICT10c-2015 Call. The POWER consortium comprises a total of 12 Partners, including four research institutions dealing with environmental, social and governance issues, two innovation SMEs, two European organisations and four key demonstration cities.

Funding opportunities via the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme

Fri, 13 May 2016 00:00:00 +0200

Frankfurt am Main. Many Climate Alliance members who have substantial energy efficiency projects in the pipeline find that their financing remains a barrier. Capacities are needed to develop solid investment projects from A-Z as well as to investigate payback terms, upfront investment needs and necessary in-house skills. How can such challenges be tackled to develop solid financial and operational models for local renovation programmes, whether focused on public buildings, the residential sector or street lighting? How can the necessary scale of investments be mobilised while engaging local value chains and a wide variety of stakeholders? The current 'Project Development Assistance' call from the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme tackles the starting phase of an investment project by providing resources for hiring technical staff as well as for due diligence investigations and feasibility studies. The EU’s support should leverage fifteen-fold the amount in mobilised investments. The deadline of this call is 15 September.

Further information about the call and requirements

Feel free to contact financing(at)climatealliance.org for specific questions. We would be happy to try to support you in your application process.

Six local and regional authorities networks issue statement on governance of the EU Energy Union

Thu, 28 Apr 2016 00:00:00 +0200

Brussels/Frankfurt. Climate Alliance along with five other major networks of local and regional authorities has released a joint statement on the governance of the EU’s Energy Union, as the issue is being widely discussed just days after the close of the official public consultation period. In their statement, the networks call upon the European Commission and national governments to intensify their work with local and regional actors in the design of future national energy and climate plans and thereby to move from a policy of “action by a few to action by all.” The paper points to the crucial role of local and regional governments in delivering energy policy and warns that failure to formally recognise this in the Energy Union puts both European and national climate targets at risk. The networks thus call on the European Commission to include a chapter dedicated to multi-level cooperation in the guidance documents on planning and reporting of national energy policies which it will provide to national governments.

Citing the success of the Covenant of Mayors that has resulted in action plans on sustainable energy in over 5000 municipalities across Europe, the paper flags cooperation between governmental levels and stakeholder segments as key to designing high quality national action plans. These national plans, in turn, are essential to reaching the international goals set out in the Paris climate agreement signed last week by 175 countries. The networks go on to suggest the integration of existing local level planning and reporting in national level plans, as this would both save resources and guarantee the policy coherence which is so important for the successful deployment of the Energy Union.

The EU is currently revising the planning and reporting requirements for its future energy policy. The result of these revisions will not only define how national governments design their energy and climate policies in the post Paris agreement reality, but also who they will have to involve in the process. The joint statement underlines the fact that cities, as the level of government closest to the people, will be critical in defining, implementing and enforcing regulations and measures emanating from the Energy Union strategy. Unfortunately, cities often do not have the authority to enforce binding legislation. In the words of Deputy Mayor Wijsmuller of The Hague in the Netherlands, “In order to fulfill our goals, the city needs a strong EU climate and energy framework and leadership from EU policy makers.” The paper makes clear the essential nature of multi-level cooperation, consultation and planning. Climate Alliance has also released a more detailed set of recommendations on the issue.

View the joint statement

View Climate Alliance's recommendations for the Energy Union governance

The process begins: Record number of countries to sign Paris Agreement this Friday

Fri, 22 Apr 2016 00:00:00 +0200

Frankfurt am Main. A recording breaking 155 countries are set to sign the Paris Agreement this week in New York. The signing ceremony marks the starting point at which the ambition written into the agreement coming out of 2015’s Climate Summit gets written into domestic law in countries across the globe. The process varies for each country and can mark the beginning of a long road that hopefully eventually leads to ratification. The agreement will officially enter into force 30 days after ratification by at least 55 countries that account for at least 55% of total greenhouse gas emissions.

By any measure, the signing of the Paris Agreement is a landmark event that will certainly strengthen the international climate process and unite national governments worldwide on the goal of keeping global warming "well below 2 ºC" while gradually working towards a more ambitious 1.5 ºC target. The agreement, however, has its fair share of weaknesses – especially evident in the methodology used for the national pledges (INDCs), which are arbitrary and extremely difficult to compare on a country by country basis.

Climate Alliance applauds the agreement while warning of its shortcomings, maintaining its stance that we cannot rely solely on national governments to solve the climate crisis. The international community, too, is increasingly beginning to take notice of local authorities like those of the Climate Alliance, which are leading by example while serving as a source of inspiration in reaching international climate goals.

Climate Alliance’s review of COP21

List of Parties to the Paris Agreement

New edition of handbook “Buying Green!” published

Wed, 13 Apr 2016 00:00:00 +0200

Frankfurt am Main. The European Commission published a fully revised version of "Buying Green! - A handbook on green public procurement" in April 2016. The handbook is the European Commission's main guidance document to help public authorities buy goods and services with a lower environmental impact. It is also a useful reference for policy makers and companies responding to green tenders.

The third edition of the manual includes:

Guidance on how environmental considerations can be included at each stage of the procurement process in the current EU legal framework (adopted in 2014)
Practical examples drawn from contracting authorities across EU Member States
Sector specific GPP approaches for buildings, food and catering services, road transport vehicles and energy-using products.

Download the manual

Kids on the move for climate action: EU-wide campaign kicks off 2016 season in Bayreuth

Mon, 11 Apr 2016 00:00:00 +0200

Joint press release of Climate Alliance and the District of Bayreuth

Bad Berneck/Frankfurt am Main. The first steps for this year’s European-wide ZOOM campaign have been taken by children from Bad Berneck’s Sebastian Kneipp School, thereby kicking-off the 2016 season. Thus far, children in eight EU countries will be participating in Zoom for 2016; more are sure to follow. The campaign engages children in sustainable mobility in a playful way, encouraging them to earn special "Green Footprints" for each climate-friendly trip they make.

"We have supported the ZOOM campaign for 10 years now and are therefore thrilled to be hosting the European-wide kick-off for this year," pronounced Deputy District Administrator Christa Reinert-Heinz in her opening speech. "In this way, the commitment of the children in this city and district receives special recognition." Katharina John, Headmistress of Sebastian Kneipp School, went on to describe how eager the children always are to participate in the campaign, which so successfully combines awareness-raising with old-fashioned fun. The festivities were marked by Martin Stümpfig, Member of Bavarian Parliament, and Jürgen Zinnert, Mayor of Bad Berneck, who encouraged the children to continue their exemplary activities.

The campaign also lends these activities some political weight. Each year, the efforts of the children are presented to politicians at the UN Climate Summits. Thomas Brose, Executive Director of Climate Alliance, explained to the children how he will ensure all the Green Footprints they have collected are brought to the Climate Summit in Marrakech this November. "This shows international climate politicians how keen you are to help save our climate," he emphasised, adding, "this time you are even faster than those politicians – you are getting started now whereas they will have to wait until 22 April to sign their climate agreement."

Since 2002, young children across Europe have participated in this annual climate action campaign by the Climate Alliance. ZOOM places grassroots measures above slow negotiation processes. Children demonstrate to their parents and politicians alike that action is needed instead of empty promises. In so doing, they show that they are part of the solution to our common climate challenge.

Tens of thousands of children in kindergartens and schools across Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands will be "ZOOMing" in for sustainable mobility and collecting footprints for their actions in 2016. The city and district of Bayreuth has been implementing the campaign for a decade, supporting ZOOM with intensive communications work and rewarding the participants with prizes each year.

Didactic materials
Available from the Climate Alliance European Secretariat and downloadable on www.zoom-kidsforclimate.eu

Photos
Photos of the kick-off available on www.zoom-kidsforclimate.eu and bit.ly/ClimateAlliance_Flickr

CONTACT
Claudia Schury, Climate Alliance, T. +49-69-717139-22, c.schury(at)climatealliance.org
Michael Benz, District of Bayreuth, T. +49-921-728-108, michael.benz(at)lra-bt.bayern.de

THE ZOOM CAMPAIGN
In 2002, Climate Alliance started the mobility campaign for children, extending it to the whole of Europe in 2003 under the motto "ZOOM – Kids on the Move for Climate Action". Since then, 1.7 million children from 39 countries have participated, more than 185,000 last year alone. Together over the years, they have collected over 22 million "Green Footprints".
www.zoom-kidsforclimate.eu