More European Cities Sign up to Green Digital Charter
 

A growing number of Europe’s biggest cities are signing up to ‘EUROCITIES Green Digital Charter’ that commits them to reducing emissions through Information and Communications Technologies (ICT).

An official signing ceremony was held on 23 February 2010 as part of the High Level Event on ICT for Energy Efficiency organised by the European Commission, in cooperation with the Spanish Presidency of the EU, and EUROCITIES.

Joining the first 14 cities that signed up to the charter in November 2009, these latest 7 signatories - Amsterdam, Bologna, Helsinki, Malaga, Nice Cote d’Azur, Porto and Rijeka - have agreed to:

Speaking at the ICT4EE event, Francisco de la Torre Prado, Mayor of Malaga commented: “Europe’s climate targets will only be met through measures that help city governments to manage down their carbon footprint. The Green Digital Charter aims to be a catalyst for cities to work together to find creative and imaginative ways to become smart cities.”

Today, cities across Europe are responsible for a main share of emissions, but they are also well-placed to deliver solutions. In terms of specific measures aimed at reducing emissions through IT, city councils that get behind the charter will identify opportunities to use new technologies at a critical scale, provide for regulatory incentives, set up new types of public-private partnerships with business, industry and the voluntary sector, and share expertise and practice with fellow cities.

The signature of the document already by 21 cities follows the Commission Recommendation adopted in October 2009 that emphasises the role of the public authorities in achieving the EU's 2020 targets. Hence, the Green Digital Charter originates from talks between EUROCITIES, Manchester City and the European Commission.

EUROCITIES Green Digital Charter (PDF)

High Level Event on ICT for Energy Efficiency

Source: EUROCITIES