ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability
ICLEI was founded in 1990 to advocate for local governments at the 1992 United Nations Rio Earth Summit, where it introduced and promoted Local Agenda 21 as a major mechanism for local sustainability planning. Today, ICLEI supports accelerated implementation of Local Agenda 21 as derived from Local Action 21, the local government mandate resulting from the Johannesburg UN World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002. Worldwide, the organisation counts for more than 800 cities, towns, counties, and their associations.
ICLEI’s European members are served by the ICLEI European Secretariat, based in Freiburg (Germany), which co-ordinates all of ICLEI’s European activities. In Europe more than 180 local governments and their associations are members of ICLEI, amongst them 15 European capital cities.
In Europe, ICLEI concentrates its efforts in such key sustainability themes as urban governance, sustainability management, sustainable procurement, climate and air and water. Other critical issues such as energy, transport or sustainable tourism are covered in a cross-cutting manner.
Urban Governance: ICLEI promotes innovative ways of managing the relationship between local government and civil society by assisting in establishing efficient participation and communication. Its approach is based on the “Fano Guidelines – Building Capacity for Local Sustainability”, Local Agenda 21 and Local Action 21.
Sustainability Management: ICLEI supports innovative, efficient and sustainability oriented public management through the ICLEI Sustainability Cycle. It works in ambitious projects for local sustainability, applies cutting-edge management systems like ecoBUDGET® and supports application of instruments such as EMAS or ISO 14000.
Sustainable Procurement: Through its Procura+ Campaign and projects, ICLEI assists public administrations and major product groups in purchasing products and services with high environmental performance, and in considering social and economic impacts.
Climate and Air: The Cities for Climate Protection Campaignâ„¢ helps local governments enhance air quality and contribute towards global efforts to combat climate change through local mitigation and adaptation measures; reducing energy consumption and promoting renewable energy; promoting clean and accessible transport; and improving public health and local resilience to man-made and natural risks.
Water: ICLEI promotes increased commitment of local governments in the sustainable management of water resources and services. ICLEI’s European Water Network is a forum for water specialists from local governments and other sectors, and provides the opportunity to share news, improve cooperation and advance sustainability in the water sector.
ICLEI offers local governments and their national and regional associations full membership. Associate membership is offered to individuals, non-governmental organisations and state and national government agencies. With its strong membership, ICLEI represents local governments internationally before bodies such as the United Nations, the European Union institutions, the Council of Europe and within the European Sustainable Cities & Towns Campaign.
