CitiesGoGreen -September 2008 - (Page 26) Because it’s web-based, eventually as So by accumulating the data through But there are lots of different reasons more and more users come online their your processes you can present an acand ways that having this data reinforces ability within the peer network that is cumulated effect. their work, so local all the way up to the ICLEI to share and compare, not only There’s an aggregate that we look at on federal level and beyond. their best practices but extending bean annual basis. And what will be differOne of the roles that ICLEI Global yond that to really be able to analyze, will ent in the coming year from the way we plays and that I play as the International be increased. If I do methane capture in have operated since our inception as an Climate Director is representing the voice the city of Berlin, Germany and he does organization is that we will be transferof local governments within the internamethane capture in the city of Delhi, ring one part of our methodology in our tional treaty community. The United NaIndia are the costs somewhat the same? climate work which is voluntary reporttions Framework Convention on Climate Are the benefits somewhat Change, which created the the same? What are the For local governments the issue of climate change is not Kyoto protocol which expires impacts that are negative that in 2012, really reflects an opa political issue and it’s not one they tend to politicize. we didn’t anticipate? portunity in some ways similar So, the kind of analysis you It’s an issue that offers investment opportunities. It’s the to what we have right now in can do by virtue of the fact the United States where we’re issue that from their perspective and their lens is the that this is a web-based tool anticipating within the next 18 that has the internal ability months solid, effective climate gateway to transforming to a new energy economy. to speak the language on the legislation. user end, both in tons as well It’s the same opportunity at as their measurement scale, all being ing, to a requirement for reporting so the international level with the upinformed by coefficients that equalize we can capture an even more accurately coming meetings and negotiations in all of the analysis and ensures that its representative aggregate number of Poznan, Poland, this year and Copenhatomatoes to tomatoes and apples to both GHGs (greenhouse gas emissions) gen the next where we have the potenapples, is much more extensive. It brings reduced and their cost savings equivatial for a powerful international agreethe level of dialogue and the ability of lent. ment on climate protection. We’ve got a local governments to lead in the intertiny bit more time, but to really assert the national community to a whole different That’s for the purpose of presenting unified voice of local governments and level and also for local governments in the information to state and federal what they’re saying is far more powerdifferent parts of the world. Like in the governments? ful in our opinion than other levels of United States right now with our politiYes and beyond. You know, the private government because they’re closest to cal changes as we assert the priorities investment community is hungry to the ground where the action is, and they of local governments within the federal provide low-interest loans to local govalso have data and measured experience climate legislative dialogue, the fact that ernments. Local governments are eager to bring forward to the dialogue. Up we can bring forward data and point to plan a path forward to shore up their until this point, for the most part, even to real outcomes that are measurable infrastructure, for example. In order to within the international community, local around climate investments and climate do that, if they can get the political will governments have been overlooked—at benefits really distinguishes the work of and the backing to make those kinds of best—and part of what we are trying to local governments through ICLEI from a investments, then they need to find the assert is to take that global voice of local lot of the work that cities and counties right kind of financial packages to help governments, organize it, unify it and put are doing without doing it through this them do that. And right now local govit forward. organization. ernments in the country can get some For local governments the issue of of the cheapest money in the financial climate change is not a political issue and market. That’s one additional benefit. it’s not one they tend to politicize. It’s an issue that offers investment opportunities. It’s the issue that from their perspective and their lens is the gateway to We started in September of 2006 when I was conducting research about how the city of Roanoke transforming to a new energy economy. would want to approach the whole reducing carbon piece. We found ICLEI to be from our perspective, They do need the resources, all the way particularly for local governments, the premier organization because they have tools to develop your from the legislative to the fiscal at various carbon footprint as well as implementation strategies used in both the public and private sectors government levels beyond themselves to to reduce that carbon footprint. But the main thing was their five step process of determining your get that done. They’re ready and they’re carbon footprint and how to move that forward in your community. willing. That’s one of many different I found that going to their national conferences has been very helpful. They are on top of the ways that they’re distinguished as leadtopics. ICLEI’s been there for us to meet with and speak with and kind of get us on the right road to ers within the climate community both address the issues. domestically and globally. I look at them as being pretty independent. I think ICLEI doesn’t try to pass judgment. They just Special Report “ say, “Here’s a tool and here are the things that other communities are doing that are helping,” so I found that to be very helpful. Ken Cronin, Director of General Services, City of Roanoke, Virginia 26 .com ” September 2008 http://CitiesGoGreen.com
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