Getting Started
May
Sub-archives
Recap From ICLEI's Resilient Cities 2012 Conference
by Don Knapp May 23, 2012
On May 12-15, more than 400 participants and 217 panelists from local governments around the globe gathered in Bonn for the 3rd edition of ICLEI's Resilience Cities conference, the premier global forum on urban resilience and adaptation. Experts exchanged knowledge and shared innovative urban resilience solutions during dozens of sessions, workshops, and forums.
A Handbook for How to Make Cities More Resilient
by Don Knapp May 23, 2012
This handbook provides mayors, governors, councillors and other local government leaders with a generic framework for risk reduction and points to good practices and tools that are already being applied in different cities for that purpose. It discusses why building disaster resilience is beneficial; what kind of strategies and actions are required; and how to go about the task. It offers practical guidance to understand and take action on the "Ten Essentials for Making Cities Resilient" as set out in the global campaign "Making Cities Resilient: My City is Getting Ready!"The United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) has released a new handbook for local government leaders, "How to Make Cities More Resilient." Here's the summary from their website:
Rio+20 Updates for Local Governments
by Don Knapp May 23, 2012
On June 20-22, a global conversation on sustainability challenges will take place at the United Nations' Rio+20 Summit, with the overarching theme of "The Future We Want." Want an overview of the Summit and how ICLEI and local governments will be involved? Browse ICLEI's Rio+20 page, which includes a "fast facts" primer.
In addition to the national government representatives, local government leaders will attend, led by ICLEI, which will work to amplify their voices and ensure that local perspectives are heard, especially regarding the green economy. Your Rio+20 Primer
Read more »
Four Surprising Sustainable Cities Across the Globe
by Ashley Halligan May 21, 2012
Philadelphia, PA photo credit: vic15 via Flickr Guest blogger: Ashley Halligan, an analyst at Software Advice, an Austin-based company Cities all around the world are placing more emphasis on sustainability initiatives, some whose sustainability projects are widely known, and some that you may not have heard of -- yet are still achieving massive steps forward. Here are four diverse cities all facing urban challenges such as crime and litter, yet all with admirable initiatives in place. 
New IREC Report Identifies Strategies for Permitting Solar Rooftops
by Interstate Renewable Energy Council May 17, 2012
The Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. (IREC) today released Sharing Success - Emerging Approaches to Efficient Rooftop Solar Permitting,
a new report that outlines innovative strategies being implemented
across the United States to help increase the efficiency of permitting
procedures for rooftop solar systems. The report aims to serve as both a
vehicle for discussion of permitting challenges, and as a source of
inspiration for communities looking for realistic and effective ways to
improve solar permitting while ensuring safe solar installations. "IREC has been a leading
resource for city and county building officials by providing field
inspection guidelines and workshops," said Jane Weissman, IREC's
Executive Director. "The Sharing Success report becomes another
valuable tool to help jurisdictions ensure safe solar installations in
their community." Sky Stanfield, Erica Schroeder and Thad Culley of Keyes, Fox & Wiedman LLP prepared the Sharing Success
report after extensive one-on-one conversations with cities and
counties regarding their permitting processes and the specific
improvements they were putting in place. "As we spoke with city and
county staff and solar installers, we came to appreciate the need to
develop methods that would result in efficiency improvements for both
entities," said Sky Stanfield, lead author of the report. "We found that
communities are identifying permitting improvements that can save time
for everyone involved." IREC found that the dramatic
increase in the volume of solar applications is placing a burden on
local permitting agencies. As a result, the desire for increased
efficiency comes not only from solar installers but also from municipal
staff.
Sustainable Funding for Local Energy Efficiency Initiatives
by ACEEE May 07, 2012
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), has released a new research report titled, "Keeping It in the Community: Sustainable Funding for Local Energy Efficiency Initiatives." Here's a quick summary of the report: Initial investments have already been made by thousands of local
governments in energy efficiency projects, programs, policies, and
expanding staff capacity, but most federal funds that have supported
these efforts are expiring. Some communities have considered or adopted
sustainable funding mechanisms for their energy efficiency investments.
These efforts provide important examples for other communities hoping to
sustain funding for their efficiency efforts. 
This report describes
several of these local funding options and provides examples where each
has been adopted. Options discussed include utility partnerships;
licensing, service, or waste fees; energy or carbon taxes; systems
benefit funds; bonds; and options to capture the value created by
avoided energy costs to create self-sustaining funds through revolving
loan funds or other mechanisms. Additional items discussed include
leadership and management practices that have made the establishment and
continuation of these funding mechanisms viable, such as champions,
issue framing, dedicated staff, performance benchmarking, and
measurement and verification. 
Download Now (free registration require)
Solar Leasing and Solar as a Revenue Generator for Local Governments
by Don Knapp May 07, 2012
ICLEI’s partner, The Solar Foundation, has released two new fact sheets for local governments: The Solar Foundation created these as part of its efforts under the Solar Outreach Partnership, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s SunShot Initiative. As a member of this partnership, The Solar Foundation helps provide information and technical expertise to local governments interested in implementing solar programs and policies.
Leasing Municipal and Private Property for Solar: Key Steps and
Considerations (pdf)
The resource provides readers with general guidance on how to unlock
the revenue potential of idle property by leasing land and roof space
for solar development. Solar as a Revenue Generator for Local Governments: (pdf)
This resource demonstrates how
cities and counties across the nation have leveraged solar for their
fiscal benefit.
The More Local the Energy, the More Valuable
by Institute for Local Self-Reliance May 07, 2012
John Farrell at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance posted this great chart on their website that is worth reposting for ICLEI members. John's take-home: Local ownership of a wind project accounts for half of its lifetime economic value to the community!
Energy Efficiency for Commercial Buildings in Focus
by SEE Action May 07, 2012
SEE Action is a state- and local-led effort to achieve all cost-effective energy efficiency by 2020. Facilitated by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), SEE Action offers knowledge, resources, and technical assistance to state and local decision makers as they advance energy efficiency policies and programs in their jurisdictions.The Existing Commercial Buildings Working Group of the State and Local Energy Efficiency Action Network (SEE Action) has developed best practice recommendations to improve energy efficiency in public and private commercial buildings through whole-building approaches. These best practices can save energy, save money, and create jobs. For example, retro-commissioning offers 10% to 30% energy savings, dollar savings of 2 to 10 times the cost, and can add up to millions of dollars saved across a building portfolio. Retro-commissioning programs create an estimated 5 to 15 green jobs per $1 million invested. SEE Action fact sheets are available on:
About SEE Action
Sustainable Cities Making Headlines This Week
by Don Knapp May 03, 2012
It's been a action-packed week for sustainable cities, who are making headlines with their innovative initiatives and success stories.
