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Contents |
New Climate Alliance members
We cordially welcome our new members. The following cities and municipalities have joined Climate Alliance:
Horizon 2020 and the IEE programme
Horizon 2020, the new framework programme for research and development, is a part of the drive to create sustainable growth and new jobs in Europe. The European Council, Parliament and the Commission are still negotiating the content of Horizon 2020 and the amendments proposed by the Parliament on the role of the Intelligent Energy Europe (IEE) programme. During the past months Climate Alliance, together with its members and partners, has been actively involved in lobbying for keeping the IEE programme with its key elements in Horizon 2020. Climate Alliance strongly believes that the outstanding actions of local and regional actors currently financed under the IEE programme should be continued and reinforced within the Horizon 2020.
Together in Transition – Annual Conference of Climate Alliance
15 – 17 May 2013 in The Hague This year’s conference addresses the challenge that local politicians and administration have to face in order to achieve the necessary transformation towards a fair and sustainable use of resources. By designing a sustainable energy landscape, the local level has become the driving force for the transition. But transition means more than just a switch to renewable energies. It includes completely new ways of governance: How to address and involve people? How to make businesses a partner in innovation? How to come to joint and responsible decisions? Further information, programme, registration and hotel reservation:
NET-COM – Networking the Covenant of Mayors
At the beginning of 2012, Climate Alliance Italy together with Kyoto Club and the Covenant Club Italy launched the award "A+COM”. This new initiative aims to select every year the four best Sustainable Energy Action Plans (SEAPs) that were approved by the city council and submitted to the Covenant of Mayors in the preceding year. www.climatealliance.org The European Commission recognised in its answer to an open letter of the German Covenant Club the important role of local authorities for sustainable energy and efficiency. The open letter addressed problems in the implementation of the objectives at the local level in the framework of the Covenant of Mayors. The Commission agrees an evaluation process together with the Covenant Office. www.climatealliance.org In a NET-COM video available in 10 European languages elected representatives from national Covenant of Mayors Clubs call signatories for action. http://www.networkingcovenantofmayors.eu
Ukrainian municipalities develop Sustainable Energy Action Plans
The Covenant of Mayors initiative is growing successfully in Ukraine, with more than 30 municipalities joining the initiative. In this context the cooperation of Climate Alliance and the ‘Energy Efficiency in Buildings’ project commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development was launched in 2012. Within one year of cooperation, four capacity building technical trainings were held for the local authorities in order to assist them in the data collection process, in the use of the Carbon Calculation Tool and in the selection of energy efficiency measures.
Success for solar lamps in Peru
Today in the Amazon region of Peru 500 indigenous families use solar lights. Overall, 20 communities in the rainforest are interested in them, since the lamps shine brighter than petrol lamps and do not produce harmful soot. Therefore in this year more than 500 further lights should be delivered. After a delegation visit in 2004 Climate Alliance concluded a cooperation agreement with FORMABIAP (programme to train bilingual teachers in the Peruvian Amazon), in whose repair shop the first lamps were set up. Due to popular demand, Climate Alliance cooperates since 2011 also with the non-profit association Pro Vita Andina, which provides a repair shop in San Martín in the province of Loreto with construction sets. http://www.indigene.de/65.html?&L=0
Peru: UN calls for stop to the extension of a major gas project
The UN has demanded an immediate halt to the expansion of a major gas project in the Peruvian Amazon, over concerns that it poses a grave risk to the lives of uncontacted indigenous living nearby. The UN’s Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) requested the ‘immediate suspension’ of plans to expand the existing Camisea gas project further into the Nahua-Nanti reserve, as it ‘threatens the physical and cultural survival of the indigenous peoples living there.’ The call follows an appeal to CERD by Peru’s indigenous organisations ORAU, COMARU and AIDESEP (a member of COICA), who are also launching legal action against the government and companies involved in the 1.6 billion US-Dollar project. http://www.survivalinternational.org/news/9054
Brazil: loggers threaten Awá
The indigenous tribe of the Awá has sent an urgent appeal to Brazil’s government to evict invaders from their forest. Despite a federal judge’s ruling ordering Brazil’s authorities to remove all invaders on Awá land by the end of March, not a single person has yet been evicted. The Awá are becoming increasingly desperate as illegal loggers close in on them and settlers encroach on their land. http://www.survivalinternational.org/news/9063
Peru and Brazil: Indigenous united against Canadian oil giant
Amazon Indians from Peru and Brazil have joined together to stop a Canadian oil company destroying their land and threatening the lives of uncontacted tribes. Hundreds of Matsés Indians gathered on the border of Peru and Brazil in March 2013 and called on their governments to stop the exploration. The oil giant Pacific Rubiales is headquartered in Canada and has already started oil exploration in ‘Block 135’ in Peru, which lies directly over an area proposed as an uncontacted tribes reserve. http://www.survivalinternational.org/news/9023
A 2030 framework for EU climate and energy policies
The European Commission published its most awaited Green Paper on a 2030 framework for climate and energy policies which launches the discussion on the post 2020 energy and climate policy framework. The public consultation following the launch of the Green Paper is focusing on the present state of the EU energy system and lessons to be learned in order to design a better landscape for policies towards 2030. The Commission is consulting the interested stakeholders in terms of targets, other possible policy instruments, competitiveness, and the different capacity of Members States to act in these policies.
European debate on Global Climate Agreement
The European Commission adopted a consultative paper that launches a public debate on how best to design a new international agreement to combat climate change. The Consultative Communication raises key questions and invites the views of stakeholders on the new agreement, which is to be completed by the end of 2015 and to apply from 2020. The public consultation runs until 26 June and based on the responses received the Commission will develop the EU's position on the 2015 global climate change agreement.
Register your Sustainable Urban Mobility campaign
The European Commission's Sustainable Urban Mobility (SUM) campaign has launched a second call for SUM funding applications. The funding available – maximum 7000 Euro – will co-finance campaign initiatives taking place during the period running from 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014. Applications must be submitted in English before 12:00 (CET) on 31 May 2013. http://dotherightmix.eu/documents/alerte_20130325.html
EU Parliament stops revival of CO2 emission trading
The European Parliament has decided not to postpone the auction of further 900 million CO2 allowances. The climate protection system is now about to collapse. The system is ineffective due to the pressure of energy-intensive industries since too many CO2 certificates have been issued and failed to adapt to the unexpectedly poor economic development. At a price of 2.60 euros per ton of CO2 it seems not to be attractive to save energy.
Law on trade of illegal timber approved
On 3 March 2013, an EU Timber Regulation came into effect to stop the circulation of illegally logged wood in the EU. Under the regulation, placing illegally harvested timber and products derived from such timber on the EU market is prohibited. For the protection of the rainforest and the interests of the indigenous partners of the Climate Alliance, the law is only a first small step in the right direction. Because the definition of "legal" the EU decided for guarantees neither ecological nor socially sustainable forest management. Legal is what counts legal in the country of harvest. Thus, for example the rights of indigenous peoples – particularly in disputes over ownership and use of land – were often ignored or do not matter by the implementation into national law in the countries of origin. Therefore the European Secretariat of Climate Alliance recommends to uphold the resolve to abstain from using tropical timber. http://www.climatealliance.org/fileadmin/inhalte/dokumente/5521982e_01.pdf
30 km/h – making streets liveable!
Congratulations! Arne Schuldt, Mayor of Güstrow in Germany, is Europe's first mayor who officially called its citizens to sign the European Citizen´s Initiative for a speed limit of 30 km/h (20 mph). In the town hall you can sign now, and on the online portal of its municipality a link to the Initiative was installed.
A world you like – an EU communication campaign for climate action
‘A world you like. With a climate you like.’ is the European Commission’s new communication campaign on climate action. Europe needs to make a transition to a low-carbon society if we want to keep global climate change under control. This campaign aims to show solutions and best practices applied by citizens, businesses and authorities across the European Union. It covers five areas: travel and transport; production and innovation; building and living; shopping and eating; and re-use and recycling. http://world-you-like.europa.eu/en
Covenant of Mayors Ceremony
24 June 2013 in Brussels The next Covenant of Mayors Signing Ceremony which is to take place at Monday 24 June in Brussels, will ‘launch’ the upcoming EU Sustainable Energy Week. The Ceremony will be opened by the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, and a number of high-profile speakers are yet again expected to attend the 4th edition of the Covenant Ceremony, from European institutions and from cities and regions. http://www.covenantofmayors.eu/news_en.html?id_news=431
EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW)
24 – 28 June 2013 in Brussels and whole Europe The EUSEW is an initiative of the European Commission that first took place in 2006 with hundreds of organisations and individuals participating each year. Through bottom-up efforts, organisers of EUSEW Energy Days, events and activities connect directly with citizens and energy stakeholders at local, regional and national levels. The combined results of EUSEW efforts are helping Europe reach its energy goals. Energy Days are not-for-profit events, activities, projects, exhibitions or displays taking place around Europe that promote energy efficiency or renewable energy. Are you keen in promoting your achievements to citizens, potential investors or policy makers? In 2012, more than 1.000 events were organised in 48 countries. Organise an Energy Day in your own city or region! http://eusew.eu/energy-days/europe
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Contact Angela Hanisch Tel: +49-69-71 71 39-12 E-mail: a.hanisch@climatealliance.org Imprint
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Climate Alliance of European Cities with Indigenous Rainforest Peoples / Alianza del Clima e.V.