Cities and Municipalities from Europe to Asia and North America are also coming on board with strategies including clean transport, carbon neutral buildings and awareness raising campaigns.
The CN Net welcomes Cities and Municipalities that have joined in this category.
Cities can exert an influence reducing climate impacts in at least two ways. They are responsible for making sure that in their own administration and activities (their governance role) they are moving towards climate-neutrality as fast as they can. They also influence their citizens’ and other actors’ behaviour, for example industry and transport. This is their role as players in the community. So they can motivate others and enlist them to take part in reducing emissions.
There is plenty individual cities can do to work towards climate neutrality. Just like companies, they can make sure their procurement policies are helping. Where public procurement is concerned, city administrations are big buyers of materials and equipment: paper, computers, furniture, vehicle fleets (not only cars and buses but waste collection vehicles, ambulances, fire engines and so forth).
They are also responsible for equipping public buildings and spaces. Here they can be careful always to apply climate-friendly criteria, for example when it comes to material choices and energy demand. Cities can also make sure their procurement policies specify the use of organic and local food and drinks in cafeterias, schools, city-run operas and theatres, and every other institution for which they are responsible."
Source: "Kick the Habit: A UN Guide to Climate Neutrality" © 2008 UNEMG, UNEP/GRID-Arendal
A total of 19 Cities have become members of CN Net. Click on the orange discs in the map below to see their details. You will require Adobe Flash to view the details which will open in a new window.