Title of Event:

Name of Organisation:

Date and time of the session:

Global Issues, Local Actions. The Global Footprint of Cities.

UN-HABITAT and ICLEI

22-6-2006, 1.30 - 3.30

Key Highlights

1. Estimated no of participants: 120-150, event was closed as full. The main presenters during the event were: David Cadman, ICLEI President; Bill Rees, Professor, University of British Colombia, Originator of the concept of Ecological Footprinting; Mary Jane Ortega, Mayor, San Fernando La Union, Philippines, Member of the World Mayors Council on Climate Change; Anumita Roychowdhury, Associate Director,Research and Advocacy Centre for Science and Environment, India; Osman Asmal, Director Environmental Planning, City of Cape Town, South Africa.
2. Stakeholder group representation at the event: The audience was an interesting mix of people, mainly representatives from local government (incl. mayors), NGO's, the academic world was represented, three major private sector companies were there and some from international institutions (UNEP, UN-HABITAT, ICLEI).
3. What were the expected objectives: 1. Testing the relevance of using the footprint approach in addressing global environmental issues at the local level; 2. Sharing concrete examples of local and national level on how global environmental issues can be addressed at local and national level; 3. Collecting the needs and good practises of cities in solving their local environmental problems in order to address the global issues like climate change and biodiversity.
4. What did the networking event achieve: During the session the audience learnt more about the ecological footprint and how it can be used by individual cities. They also received good win-win examples of local actions in addressing global issues (eg the introduction of bio-fuel by public transport in New Dehli). For UN-HABITAT and ICLEI the session was also an endorsement of their recently signed MoU.

2. What were the core issues identified in your event as they relate to the theme and sub-themes of WUFIII? All the panellists stated clearly that improving the urban environment is a key condition for achieving a more sustainable city. Cities are in the position to take effective actions to address global issues in the field of for example climate change (air quality) and biodiversity. Cities are key players in improving the national, regional and global environment and city networks can support them to improve and speed up their actions.

3. What were the main points raised by panellists and participants in relation to these different issues? What new ideas have been generated as a result of the discussion?

Cities have many opportunities and possibilities to work together on global issues. City 2 City networks, mayor networks and international NGO's such as ICLEI provide a platform for cities to exchange their experiences and lessons learnt.

Footprint approach is a way for cities to raise awareness about the environmental impact of its activities. Awareness is a first step, it should be followed by concrete strategies and actions.

Negotiationg win-win scenarios are important for local interest, motivation and commitment.

4. What process steps have been identified in your event that could help turn ideas into operational reality? UN-HABITAT, UNEP and ICLEI have signed a tripartite MoU to support cities in addressing global environmental issues. There is an existing, successful network on Cities and Climate Change. The next step is to seek more operationalisation and implementation for wider impact and to create a similar network on Cities and Biodiversity. At the end the organisers asked for cities who are interested in joining this ongoing partnership on Global Issues, Local Actions, in order to strengthen the partnership with local players.