::: Tools to Use
Local Management towards Sustainability
TOOL :: EMS Training Resources Kit
Description of the initiative
The UNEP / FIDIC / ICLEI Urban Environmental Management: Environmental Management Training Resource Kit offers local authorities a systematic approach to integrate environmental considerations into all aspects of their activities. In order to accomplish their goals for implementing an EMS (based on the International recognised EMS standard - ISO 14001), efficiently, accurately and effectively, organisations need tools to assist them. In particular, experts and city managers recognise and highlight a lack of education and training tools specifically designed to enable local authorities assess the benefits, and design and implement an EMS that meets their specific needs.
The Kit is the first of a range of tools and related supporting material:
- to support local authorities in understanding the need for a systematic approach to environmental challenges,
- to adapt the EMS framework to the specific needs of a local administration and
- to provide the knowledge and the practical tools to implement an EMS at local level.
The Kit provides users with maximum flexibility in implementing their EMS strategies, allowing them to localize the kit and meet their specific organisational needs. The Kit is presented in a modular "train the trainer" format, which, through an EMS, provides a series of tools to integrate sustainable development (from day to day issues to international commitments such as Local Agenda 21 and the Climate Change Convention) into the various aspects and priorities of city management.
The EMS adopted by the Kit is based upon ISO 14001 requirements. For those who intend to register to this standard, the Kit will also contain information on how to proceed. The Kit is targeted at local stakeholders and change agents such as: People who disseminate the concept/practice of an EMS for local authorities, Trainers who implement the Kit by organising workshops, City managers who use it as a self-teaching tool to implement an EMS in their municipality
The Kit contains:
- Thematic modules (water, transportation, tourism etc.) including fact sheets, case studies information material and exercises for the implementation of an environmental management system in local authorities
- A method for training, organising workshops (distribution) and follow-up (feedback)
- Tools for the dissemination of the concept of EMS for local authorities.
City managers and city networks have been directly involved in the Kit's design and drafting. The Kit was tested in pilot training sessions organised in different regions in spring and summer of 2001. The document was finalised in September 2001, and was formally launched during the Cities Asia Summit on 13 September 2001 in Singapore. The kit is in English, and will gradually be made available in French, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic and Russian.
Where to find more information?
http://www.unep.or.jp/ietc/announcements/emskit_launch.asp
Contact: ICLEI, Holger Robrecht
Availability of the tools developed
The kit is in English, and will gradually be made available in French, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic and Russian.
TOOL :: NEST (Networking with EMAS for sustainable development)
Short description of the initiative
NEST aims to streamline and simplify EMAS in order to help small local authorities to implement environmental management systems. The project is based on a network approach, which means that the local government partners will learn from each other during the whole EMAS implementation process and will learn to use peer reviews to audit each others environmental management systems. Best practices are for local authorities implementing EMAS. NEST project also relies on best practices as a source of inspiration to facilitate the development of environmental programmes of the participating local governments.
The project will deliver a set of tools:
Where to find more information?
www.emasnetwork.org
Please contact: CEMR, Pirita Lindholm
Also supports the AC numbers 3, 4, 5 and 6.
TOOL :: ecoBUDGET
Description of the initiative
ecoBudget is an environmental management system used as an instrument for implementing environmental budgeting at the local level. The local environmental budgeting offers a solution in the fields of ecological sustainability. The ecoBUDGET pillars are: Environmental Master Budget, Statement of environmental assets, and Environmental-benefit analysis. The ecoBUDGET cycle includes a periodic and systematic process of creating a budget for natural resources and environmental quality, which is to be approved by council and implemented during the budget period. ecoBUDGET is composed of a preparation phase, an implementation phase and an evaluation phase. This is known as the environmental budget cycle:
Budget Preparation
The maximum amounts of consumption (the ecological consumption limits) and long-term as well as short-term environmental targets are established at this stage. The (environmental) master budget is then presented to the council and the public.
Budget Implementation
On the basis of the political decisions, programs and measures are undertaken to meet the environmental targets. The implementation
and the compliance of the environmental master budget is monitored.
Budget Evaluation
After the conclusion of the budget year, the environmental budget balance is calculated. This represents a sort of an environmental audit for all ecological accounts. The compliance of the plan is discussed by council members and presented to the public. Conclusions for the following environmental cycle are drawn. The preparation process for the next environmental budget starts.
Where to find more information?
www.ecobudget.com
Please contact: ICLEI, Holger Robrecht or Mr. Andrea Burzacchini
Availability of the tools developed
The supporting tools are available for everyone on the website in English, Spanish, Italian and French. ICLEI offers assistance to cities implementing ecoBUDGET.
TOOL :: EnviPlans
Description of the initiative
The project aims at encouraging, particularly in the South European area, the conception, exchange and implementation of good practices in the field of preparation of Urban Environmental Management Plans. The need for a specific and common action in the South European area comes from the fact that this area registers a sort of delay in the conception and implementation of those Plans and is characterised by some common facts (and common differences in comparison with many of Central and Northern European countries): environmental aspects (e.g. climatic conditions, the role of Mediterranean/Adriatic sea, historical heritage and urban design), trends of the main driving forces (e.g. urban mobility patterns strongly oriented to private motorised mode) and delays and weaknesses in institutional/policy responses.
In the meantime, in this area is clearly emerging the important role of many local authorities as active players in sustainable development actions implementation and as potential cultural bridges connecting Eastern Europe and Southern Mediterranean-North Africa countries.
This fact is demonstrated also by the positive role played by the 3 main project partners: the 3 Networks of Italian, French and East Adriatic (Greek, Slovenian and others) local authorities.
The Project core action includes a launch and development of 5 planning processes in 5 Southern cities and the involvement of more then 20 Southern cities in an 'auditor' exercise, supporting the 5 and strengthening their own planning processes.
The project final products/outputs, viable for local authorities once the project and EC co-funding has ended, will be Technical Guidelines, Manual and Training materials useful to promote and support the practical implementation of Urban Environmental Management Plans in the South European area.
Where to find more information?
http://www.a21italy.it/a21italy/enviplans/home.htm
TOOL :: Liveable cities
Description of the initiative
The main objective of the Liveable Cities project is to develop an integrated Model plan for Sustainable Urban management that will support local Authorities in development of individual Sustainability Urban management Plans (SUMP). The development of the Model Plan takes account of the Aalborg Commitments.
Each partner cities has agreed to develop individual SUMP’s in the project. More cities has during the project decided not to develop new separate plans, but link it closely to the Aalborg Commitments process by letting the SUMP be the platform for coordination and possible merging of already existing local action plans. The action plan-readiness and possible plan-gabs are identified according to local targets from the Aalborg Commitments process.
Based on the experiences from each partner city, a guidance document with general recommendations on sustainable urban management will be developed.
More information
http://www.eurocities.org/liveablecities/site/
TOOL :: Urban Matrix – Targeted Knowledge Exchange on Urban Sustainability
Description of the initiative
The project aims to develop and test a methodology for knowledge exchange on urban sustainable development. The objective of the urban matrix is to support local authorities throughout Europe by identifying ‘gaps' in knowledge related to sustainable urban development, and more particularly to support them with the implementation of DG Environment's Thematic Strategy on the Urban Environment and the implementation of the Aalborg Commitments.
The matrix will consist of:
- Knowledge demand - What knowledge and information do local authorities need to improve urban sustainability and
- Knowledge offer - What type of knowledge and information does already exists and how can these be made available for cities.
The main outcomes of the project include a survey, an interactive website and small scale thematic workshops on urban sustainability knowledge.
Through three annual rounds of data collection (in 2006, 2007, and 2008), the URBAN MATRIX survey aims to build up a picture of the knowledge demand of local authorities.
1. Analyse the survey responses and identify ‘gaps' in relevant knowledge on sustainable urban development, as well as information needs coming from local authorities.
2. Propose URBAN MATRIX workshops in European cities on the basis of the thematic priorities identified. Such workshops will be open to participation of local authorities and researchers.
3. Collect from local authorities and research institutes research results and best practices examples to build up a knowledge database targeted specifically at cities and towns. Such database will be publicly available for consultation on the URBAN MATRIX website.
4. Create a ‘knowledge exchange community' among the cities and towns that participated in the survey and that would like to increase their own visibility and learn from others.
Two additional demand surveys will be carried out in 2007 and 2008. This will be done to ensure that data available are always updated. All your comments will be taken in consideration to refine the questionnaire and produce a clearer picture of cities' needs. As part of the wider URBAN MATRIX project, we wish to ensure that existing research results and practices are available for consultation to all local authorities that may need information on specific issues related to sustainable urban development.
The project website hosts an e-library displaying information on the topics identified by the survey and addressed by the project.
On the basis of the thematic priorities identified through the survey and the type of information requested by the cities, 6 thematic workshops will be set up to support the knowledge transfer process. The workshops will have a concrete focus – offering transferable examples of best practice in a practical, ‘how to do it’ in way that attendees can take home with them. Workshops will be held twice a year and will be open to participation from all interested cities.
The project may help in knowledge capacity building within all 10 Aalborg Commitments themes.
More information
http://www.eurocities.org/main.php
http://www.urban-matrix.net/survey.aspx
http://www.sud-lab.com/
TOOL :: Med’Act Mediterranean Europe Development Action of Cities and Towns
Description of the initiative
Med’Act supports Local Authorities and their cities around the Mediterranean who choice the path of sustainable urban development. In particular, specific pilot projects have been implemented in order to make visible and tangible the positive results of their policies:
- Integrating sustainability in strategic planning (the case of Sfax in Tunisia and Bosra in Syria);
- Implementing sustainable management of urban wastes in historical centres (the case of Mahdia in Tuinisia).
The results of the project include a knowledge system for municipalities, the building and/or enhancing the administrative capacities at municipal level, and the creation of a co-operative environment among Mediterranean cities on the field of sustainable urban development.
Where to find more information?
http://www.medactenv.org/Contact: Mrs Bettina Geiken
