National governments' privileged access to EU decision-makers in Brussels limits cities' access to funding instruments necessary for dealing with significant climate change-related challenges, according to a Commission official and urban policy experts.
EU ‘not listening’ to cities, says Commission
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Mayors commit to exceeding EU climate goals
Over 350 cities united in a pledge to reduce their CO2 emissions by more than the EU's 20% target for 2020 at the launch ceremony of the Covenant of Mayors yesterday (10 February), with €15 million in financial support from the European Investment Bank in the pipeline.
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Cities and climate change
Home to 80% of EU citizens and 70% of greenhouse gas emissions, urban areas play a key role in fighting climate change; but cities' access to funding for green policies is proving a major stumbling block.
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Cities puzzled by greenhouse gas measurements
Many regional initiatives are already taking place in the EU to tackle climate change, but the array of different tools for measuring global warming gases make the results difficult to compare, a recent study showed.
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EU, US mayors stress cities’ role in global warming fight
Mayors from both sides of the Atlantic have teamed up to ensure that international climate negotiators recognise the important role played by cities in adapting to climate change as they gather in Copenhagen to agree on a post-Kyoto treaty in December.
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Cities turn to high-tech for curbing traffic, crime
Stockholm, New York and other cities across the globe are increasingly relying on information and communication technologies (ICT) to manage low-emissions traffic zones or improve their ability to fight crime. But privacy issues are never far away and will require political decisions, warns John Post, chief technology officer at IBM Benelux.
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IBM chief: Smart cities need ‘holistic view’ of their activities
Stockholm, New York and other cities across the globe are increasingly relying on information and communication technologies (ICT) to manage low-emission traffic zones or improve their ability to fight crime. But privacy issues are never far away and will require political decisions, warns John Post, chief technology officer at IBM Benelux.
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European cities ‘take the lead’ in fighting global warming
European cities are taking the lead in fighting climate change, according to a new report ranking the continent's financial capitals according to their green credentials.
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Eurocities: Europe’s cities ‘frustrated’ by innovation policy
Europe's biggest cities believe the European Commission's definition of innovation is too narrowly focused on the commercial and research sectors. In an interview with EURACTIV, Paul Bevan, secretary-general of Eurocities, said Europe's urban centres are teeming with examples of social, organisational and market-driven innovation.
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Cities ‘frustrated’ by EU innovation policy
Europe's biggest cities believe the European Commission's definition of innovation is too narrowly focused on the commercial and research sectors. In an interview with EURACTIV, Paul Bevan, secretary-general of Eurocities, said Europe's urban centres are teeming with examples of social, organisational and market-driven innovation.
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Open data: gold mine or gold bust?
Despite Neelie Kroes' ambitious declarations for a new open data strategy at the regional level, authorities are still struggling to become familiar with that process and the strategy still faces fierce resistance, writes Julia Glidden from 21c Consultancy.
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How Europe’s cities are promoting gender equality
European cities and regions are conducting numerous policies to promote gender equality, including the launch of a new observatory to monitor and address inequality and discrimination, say mayors and other representatives from across Europe.
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Barroso sees ‘green’ Danish cities as an example for Europe
European Commission President José Manuel Barroso has called for an end to “artificial” growth, fuelled by “irresponsible financial behaviour”, and asked for Europe's cities to follow the example of green capitals such as Copenhagen.
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Regions commit to green policies ahead of Rio+20
European regions are gearing up for the Rio+20 Earth Summit in June by drawing up a list of “key ingredients” in a bid to make sustainable urban development a focal point of the Brazil discussions.
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The lessons of London’s bicycle network
Lack of central coordination and inconsistency between mayoral terms have undermined London's bicycle network, says Shin-pei Tsay of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
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European cities seek to reduce risks of climate change
European cities are planning to adapt to climate change as the risks become more severe, says a report released yesterday (28 June) by UK-based emissions measurement organisation the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) and consultancy Accenture.
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Brussels unveils ‘smart cities’ innovation scheme
The European Commission has announced a new €365 million a year innovation partnership scheme aimed at boosting the development of ‘smart’ technologies in cities, EU officials told the press on Tuesday (10 July).
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Urban Europeans urged to leave their cars at home
Europe's cities are the main engines of economic growth, but personal vehicles continue to generate severe pollution and congestion despite efforts to reverse the trend, the European Commission warned as it launched its annual Mobility Week campaign and a new initiative on clean transport.
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Most EU city dwellers suffer bad air days
Most residents of European cities breathe noxious pollutants that exceed international health standards, says a study released today (24 September) by the European Environment Agency, giving ammunition to health and environmental groups that demand far tougher EU standards.
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An EU budget for recovery and Europe’s citizens
The next long-term budget for the EU must recognise cities’ potential for playing a much greater role in the economic recovery and therefore the urgent priority for investment in urban Europe, writes Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz.
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