Local Authority Intervention on the Green Economy
18 May 2010
First Preperatory Commission Meeting
Thank you, Mr Co-Chair. I have followed this morning's exchange with interest.
As Local Authorities, we wonder where cities were in the discussions. Are they at the centre of a
green economy or are they invisible? Only very few delegates mentioned the potential of
sustainable cities to accalerate the transition to a green economy.
Cities are pioneering solutions.
Many issues which are at the centre of the green economy are being tested and implemented in
urban areas. These areas include waste management, access to sanitation and clean water, transport,
food security, biodiversity and sustainable public procurement.
I could give almost endless examples of successful case studies in cities and towns around the
world, but in the interest of time I will only mention one example. This example is EcoBUDGET,
an Environmental Management System which allows to plan, monitor, and report the consumption
of natural resources within the municipal territory. By using EcoBudget, local governments are
managing their local natural resources in addition to our artificial resource – money.
Many municipal authorities are implementing various measures which are at the centre of a green
economy.
We look forward to a process which allows for the agreement on a concept of a green economy
within the framework of sustainable development at the international level. Such a concept should
allow enough flexibility to the application and implementation of green economy at the national and
local level.
Thank you.
