Sustainable Development in the City of Geneva: 2010 Baseline Review

AALBORG COMMITMENTS — SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE CITY OF GENEVA: 2010 BASELINE REVIEW

edition 2010 IMPLEMENTING THE AALBORG COMMITMENTS IN THE CITY OF GENEVA

Carine Bachmann, head of project, Department of finances and housing Jean-Pascal Gillig, scientific advisor, Agenda 21 Delegation, Department of finances and housing Etienne Lézat, scientific advisor, Agenda 21 Delegation, Department of finances and housing

With the support of the Agenda 21 Delegation team – Sustainable development, diversity, equality: Ninian Hubert van Blyenburgh, Gaétan Morel, Amandine Panhard, Hervé Pichelin

With the members of the Agenda 21 Network: Inès Légeret-Coulibaly, Department of authorities Simon-Pierre Keller, Department of finances and housing Etienne Favey, Department of buildings and planning Joëlle Oudard, Department of culture Michel Moreau, Department of the urban environment and safety Manuelle Pasquali, Department of social cohesion, youth and sports

With the collaboration of: Sylvie Giossi Caverzasio, independent consultant Philippe Krebs, Department of finances and housing Orazio Margarone, Department of finances and housing Jean Rossiaud, Department of finances and housing

Special thanks to: The Cantonal Office of Statistics (Office cantonal de la statistique) – Republic and Canton of Geneva (www.ge.ch/statistique)

Translation and editing: Alex Downing Translations, AvisAnne Julien, Nadine Allal Leitenberger

Graphic design and illustration: Madame Paris / Alexandra Ruiz

Edition: City of Geneva, June 2010

2 Contents

Foreword by the Mayor of Geneva, Sandrine Salerno 5

A city at the centre of a rapidly expanding agglomeration 7

Building a sustainable city: a municipality project 8

Fifteen years of commitment to sustainable development 9

Commitment 1 Governance 10

Commitment 2 Local management towards sustainability 12

Commitment 3 Natural common goods 14

Commitment 4 Responsible consumption and lifestyle choices 16

Commitment 5 Planning and design 18

Commitment 6 Better mobility, less traffic 20

Commitment 7 Local action for health 22

Commitment 8 Vibrant and sustainable local economy 24

Commitment 9 Social equity, justice and culture 26

Commitment 10 Local to global 28

Conclusion 30

Sources 31

Nota bene : The communal administrative system and the municipal political level are described herein as the City of Geneva, whereas the communal territory will be described herein as the city of Geneva.

FOREWORD BY THE MAYOR OF GENEVA, SANDRINE SALERNO

This process is in no way commonplace and represents a real change of mindset, both in terms of our administrative culture and in terms of local governance. We all have every rea- son to be proud of the results achieved so far.

I am particularly happy to write the foreword to this report as it constitutes an important step in our consultation process; it is a review of the current situation of sustainable development in Geneva (the first of its kind) and a baseline from which to launch an ongoing improvement process. For nearly 15 years, and especially since the signing of the Aal- borg Charter in 1995, which was only three years after the Earth Summit of Rio, the City of Geneva has implemented numerous good practices. In fact, many of these were initiated by an administration acting responsibly to deal with modern environmental and social challenges. Among many examples of best practices, I will mention but a few: we won the Europe- ® In June 2007, the newly elected “Conseil administratif” (the an Energy Award Gold in 2010 as a result of the phenomenal name given in Geneva to the municipality’s executive body) work carried out by our energy services; our ”Plan directeur set itself the priority of giving a new direction to the City’s communal” (Communal Director Plan, a municipal long-term sustainable development policy. Our aim was to present the urban development plan) and our mobility plans are among Municipal Council and the citizens of Geneva with a clear pic- the most advanced of their kind; and finally, Geneva’s social ture of the challenges that lie ahead and of our ambition to services boast a high degree of innovation, particularly with address these challenges through a shared strategy based on regard to their community-focused action policies. concrete objectives that can be assessed by means of simple indicators, enabling all those involved to monitor the annual Many other achievements could be mentioned here such as progress of our mission. the management of our vehicle fleet, the management of our information technology (IT) resources, the organisation of big Our purpose is to create a sustainable city for its current events and our acquisition strategies. Without forgetting to inhabitants as well as for future generations and we chose note the measures that we have taken recently and that have the Aalborg Commitments as a framework for our actions. As yet to show their full potential, in particular in the field of job you will discover upon reading this report, these ten Commit- creation, the promotion of a social economy based on soli- ments cover all the municipal spheres of activity, from good darity, contractual support towards the local economy, the governance to the proper management of our natural and implementation of ”Contrat de quartier” (local participatory financial resources and from social solidarity to our efforts government projects) and waste management as well as gen- to fight global warming. These Commitments force local au- der equality and equality between Swiss citizens and foreign thorities to define objectives and enable comparisons to be nationals. drawn between cities. However, until now, we were lacking an overall view, a com- Our first step in this process was to work with all 50 services of mon project, specific improvement goals and a shared meth- the Municipal Administration and to assess the current situa- odology. In short, we were still missing a consistent and am- tion in terms of sustainable development. We then undertook bitious public strategy for truly sustainable development. an in-depth consultation among the main stakeholders of Ge- Now we have just that. The next step will be to implement neva’s sustainable development. These included representa- these measures and to monitor the progress made. In the tives from various associations, a range of experts, members meantime, I invite you to discover the results. of the Municipal Council and state employees working for the Municipal Administration. Our work was transparent and cut across all municipal departments, enabling us to formulate both short-term and long-term commitments.

5 Brussels

Paris Munich Switzerland

Lyon Milan

Barcelona

Rome

Switzerland

France-Vaud-Geneva Agglomeration

Switzerland

FRANCE

Lausanne

LAke Geneva Montreux Evian Nyon Thonon-les-Bains

GENeVA Annemasse

Martigny

Annecy

FRANCE Lyon

Chambéry

6 A CITY AT THE CENTRE OF A RAPIDLY EXPANDING AGGLOMERATION

Geneva is situated between the Alps and the Jura, at the governmental organisations, including the International southwestern tip of Switzerland – a privileged and strategic Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). It owes much of its location in the heart of Western Europe. The city was built at prosperity to this international profile. Geneva plays a key the end of Lake Geneva and on the banks of the river Rhône. It role in the field of international diplomacy and multilateral is surrounded by a ring of mountains: the Jura, the Vuache, the cooperation as it is home to several international networks Voirons and Mont-Salève. For Geneva, this location provides where political, economic, social and environmental ideas are many natural advantages that it has a duty to protect, as well shared. It is a city that combines international functions and a as constraints it has to manage. cosmopolitan identity: 43% of the inhabitants are foreigners, first- or second-generation immigrants, expatriates or inter The city of Geneva is the centre of a vast 2000 square- national officials. Multilingualism is one of Geneva’s striking kilometre cross-border agglomeration that is home to characteristics, with a population that boasts good language approximately 800 000 inhabitants: the France-Vaud-Geneva skills and knowledge, on average. agglomeration. It includes 210 communes in Switzerland, in the cantons Geneva and Vaud; and in France, in the As one of the 45 communes of the Canton of Geneva, the departments of Ain and Haute-Savoie. After a period of slow political autonomy of the City of Geneva is restricted by the growth, the economic development regained its momentum power and supervisory authority of the canton. This sets at the turn of the 21st century, with an average annual growth the City of Geneva apart from most other cities or towns in rate of 1.2%. The France-Vaud-Geneva agglomeration pro Switzerland and Europe. Despite this restriction, the City of vides about 385 000 jobs and has become one of the most Geneva plays an important part in many aspects of the daily dynamic areas in Europe. life of its citizens such as the environment, public planning, housing, security, local social actions, childcare, culture and The city of Geneva covers a territory of 16 square kilometres sports. and is home to a population of around 188 000. The administrative communal structure and the municipal political Today more than ever, the City of Geneva has a crucial role system were established at the end of the 18th century. In to play by addressing the challenges inherent to the region’s 1930, the mandate of the City was strongly reduced in favour current transformation. As a city that is central to the France- of the Canton of Geneva, in exchange for an increased share Vaud-Geneva agglomeration, it has the responsibility of of communal land. meeting the new demands of this emerging space. Indeed, the agglomeration’s rapid economic and demographic growth The canton has a total surface area of 280 square kilometres will undoubtedly entail important changes for its population and a population of 453 000 inhabitants, 43% of which live in in terms of the quality of living such as a growing urbanisation, the city of Geneva. The canton shares a 130-kilometre border increased road traffic or disparities affecting economic with France and a 4.5-kilometre border with Switzerland, development. which it joined in 1847. The forces of social segregation, which exist in many European Geneva is the second biggest city in Switzerland, after cities, are also at work in Geneva. Salary disparity has Zurich, and is often rated among the three best places in the reached the highest level recorded in Switzerland. Although world in terms of quality of living. For example, in 2008, it many consequences of this imbalance have been alleviated was second place in the “Worldwide Quality of Living Survey” by the implementation of existing regulations, the current conducted by Mercer, a human resources consulting firm. In situation requires strong corrective measures. The idea is to comparison with other cities, Geneva’s advantages reside in ensure that all the residents of the city of Geneva, the men its scenery, infrastructures, level of comfort, the quality of its and women who contribute to its expansion and vitality, environment and its relatively low crime rate. may live together in harmony, while ensuring a sustainable development. Geneva is also the seat of the United Nation’s European headquarters. It hosts approximately 50 international or ganisations, 26 of which are based here, and over 250 non-

7 BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE CITY: A MUNICIPALITY PROJECT

When the Administrative Council of the City of Geneva took In this context, a priority that concerns the entire municipality office on 1 June 2007, it set about to establish its policy is to provide everyone, and especially the less privileged for a “sustainable city”. The idea was to create a city “that members of society, with access to adequate housing ensured, through participative governance, a fair social facilities and with social and financial conditions adapted to and economic development, while reducing the ecological their family situation. impact of human activities on the natural resources of our territory”. In addition to environmental protection and a In a city as multicultural as Geneva, this integration process careful stewardship of natural resources, the sustainable city requires various participatory instruments. Culture is one project includes essential requirements pertaining to social such instrument and a key factor of success. The City of justice and equality, primarily focused on issues of health and Geneva regards culture as a unifying element for its residents, social services, access to employment, housing and culture. and remains committed to its promotion. It encourages The goal of the project is to provide the entire population cultural diversity and has taken many measures to ensure of Geneva with dignified living conditions. Achieving this equal access to culture. requires a strong political will and the involved commitment of all municipal employees. Currently, the entire municipality The municipality strives to provide the framework for a of Geneva is working towards this “sustainable city”. harmonious and controlled city development, in compliance with the principles of sustainability. One of the ways to develop Promoting social cohesion is a major challenge. Easily and improve the living conditions of the inhabitants of Geneva accessible, high-quality basic social services are needed to is to transform and upgrade public spaces so as to ensure that strengthen our quality of living and to develop an enhanced they are used in the best possible manner. Another priority feeling of integration for the residents of the city of Geneva. is to continue implementing concrete measures that aim to Furthermore, it is crucial to provide targeted services in reduce the impact of human activity on the environment. order to prevent the increasing marginalisation of specific population groups. We must do all we can to bridge the Finally, as it is essential to have strong financial resources at widening gap within the community and to prevent emerging our disposal if we are to build a “sustainable city”, the City of feelings of incomprehension and rejection that may be Geneva will continue to uphold stringent standards regarding entertained by a fraction of the population. the management of public funds.

8 FIFTEEN YEARS OF COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

For the past 15 years, the City of Geneva has been committed By signing the Aalborg Commitments, the City of Geneva to promoting sustainable development. This commitment decided to participate in a highly rigorous process involving stems from the signing of the Aalborg Charter by the analyses, proposals, implementation strategies and evalu- Administrative Council (executive power) in 1995, three years ations. Currently, only two other Swiss cities have signed after the United Nations Conference on Environment and these Commitments and started to work on the ensuing Development in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). obligations. The City of Geneva thus entered into an original and ambitious process, which started in April 2008 and was By signing the Charter, the City chose to adopt a long-term carried out in three phases: approach. It adheres to the fundamental principles of sus tainable development, i.e. protecting the environment, 1st phase (April 2008–June 2009): internal consultation within defending social justice, promoting cultural diversity and the Municipal Administration in order to assess the current ensuring economic viability. In parallel, the city strengthened situation in terms of sustainable development in the ad its commitment by joining several international networks of ministration of the City of Geneva as of 31 December 2008. cities involved in sustainable development. 2nd phase (April 2009–September 2009): consultation process In 2000, an administrative agency specifically tasked with conducted within the city of Geneva to establish priorities addressing sustainability issues was created within the for the sustainable development of the City and progress Municipal Administration. It was established under the name indicators. This process involved 130 people: employees of “Unité Agenda 21” and has since been renamed “Délégation the Municipal Administration, experts, civil society repre Agenda 21” (henceforth Agenda 21 Delegation). It serves sentatives and elected members of the Municipal Council. as a knowledge centre and its actions are implemented by members of the Agenda 21 Network who work for the 3rd phase (October 2009–March 2010): adoption of a target set six departments of the City: Department of authorities, ting report for sustainable development by the Administrative Department of finances and housing, Department of Council, based on a series of priorities chosen among those buildings and planning, Department of culture, Department identified during the consultation process and a preliminary of the urban environment and safety and Department of review of those objectives. social cohesion, youth and sports. The Sustainable Development in the City of Geneva: 2010 In 2001, the municipality defined an initial sustainable Baseline Review describes each of the ten Aalborg Com development strategy, which included the following three mitments with the following approach: objectives: (i) establishing an exemplary administration; (ii) – short presentation of the situation in Geneva in relation organising awareness-raising and information campaigns on with each Aalborg Commitment; the topic of sustainable development; and (iii) implementing – summary of the actions undertaken by the City of Geneva assessment tools and sustainability indicators to guide in each specific field; the municipal strategy. Following a 2008 evaluation of the – description of the main challenges the City of Geneva progress achieved by this policy, the executive body of the must address in the coming years in order to become City of Geneva decided to give its actions a new impetus a sustainable city; and to sign the Aalborg Commitments, thus demonstrating – list of Internet sites that provide further information its resolve to transform Geneva into a “sustainable city”. on the topic. In this context, the Aalborg Commitments were deemed by the municipality to be the best-suited instrument for this purpose: a consistent, efficient and transparent approach to sustainability.

9 COMMITMENT 1: GOVERNANCE

SITUATION ANALYSIS have been residing in Switzerland for The debates held in Parliament or by the eight years or more are allowed to vote Municipal Council are open to the public. in communal elections, but cannot stand The Swiss political structure is a three- They are broadcast live and in full on for election themselves. Despite this tiered system that includes the communal local television and the minutes of each particular provision, at the cantonal level, the cantonal level and the federal session are available on the Internet. level, experts in political science often level. The City of Geneva is one of the perceive the electorate of Geneva as 45 communes of the Canton of Geneva being insufficiently representative of the but is home to almost half the canton’s population residing in its territory. population. The City’s executive power We are committed to is held by the Administrative Council, energising our Given the institutional distribution of which consists of five elected officials decision-making processes responsibilities, a certain degree of who share responsibilities and who take through increased collaboration is required between the turns acting as mayor for a year. The participatory democracy. various political and administrative legislative body of the City, the Municipal levels, and in particular between the Council, consists of 80 members or canton and the City of Geneva. This elected municipal representatives, 49 of The electorate in Geneva may intervene collaboration often turns out to be rather whom were women for the 2007–2011 in public life and electors may make their difficult because of the overlapping period (Swiss average: 31%). The Council voices heard on political decisions by nature of the roles and responsibilities does not vote on laws, but instead on launching or signing referendums (in order at each level. Currently, there is an “deliberations” (written decisions) on to oppose laws voted in Parliament) or by ongoing project that aims to better the municipal budget and investment initiating “popular initiatives” (proposing define governance in Geneva, conducted decisions. constitutional or legislative changes). by a constitutional convention elected At the cantonal level, the executive body is These instruments of direct democracy in 2008. By 2012, it is expected make called the “Conseil d’Etat” (State Council) are called “votations” and are a typically a series of proposals pertaining to the and includes seven members elected Swiss feature. The electorate in Geneva institutional and political organisation of by majority vote. The “Grand Conseil” is frequently called upon to cast its the canton with the view of establishing (Parliament), is elected under a system vote, on average four times per year. The constitutional reforms. of proportional representation and has participation rate in elections generally 100 MPs (Members of Parliament), 25% varies between 40% and 60%. Institutional cooperation is also being of whom are women and 38% of whom implemented within the France-Vaud- reside in the city of Geneva (2009–2013 Foreigners make up more than 40% of Geneva agglomeration and stems from legislature). the population of Geneva. Those who a shared political will to establish

Participation in federal «votations» in the City of Geneva and Percentage of elected women in communal legislative elections in in Switzerland (2006–2009) Geneva and in Switzerland (2003–2008)

% City of Geneva Switzerland % City of Geneva Switzerland

60 60

50 50

40 40

30 30

20 20

10 10

00 00

6 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

2009 2008 0 3 8 e 1 2008 h 11 2007 n . b. ay 21 2006 v. 26 200 b. 24 2008 v The percentage of women elected in communal legislative elections is on par with M rc e Ju Fe No June 17 2007 F No Sept. 24 2006 Ma the national average of Swiss communes. This graph compares it with the percentage of women elected to the Municipal Council of the city of Geneva Participation rate in the last nine federal “votations” (2006–2009) for the 2003–2008 period. Source: Cantonal Office of Statistics, City of Geneva Sources: Union of Swiss Cities (UVS)

10 and the gap of voluntary commitment City’s Internet site. In 2009, the City’s FOR FURTHER INFORMATION between the Swiss and foreigners is only web page was entirely redesigned in 14.9%, compared with an average of 23.7% order to improve its user friendliness City of Geneva: for the rest of Switzerland. and interactivity. www.ville-geneve.ch The departments of the City enjoy Municipal Council: https://www.ville-geneve.ch/ WHAT THE CITY OF GENEVA IS DOING technical working relationships with other conseil-municipal/ municipal or cantonal administrations. The City of Geneva is making every There is also active collaboration with “Contrat de quartier”: effort to increase the participation of the French cities of the agglomeration, participative programme bringing its population in communal life through especially in the cultural sphere. Finally, together the population and the various actions. A pilot project (“Contrat a growing number of public–private municipality within workgroups: de quartier”) was launched in 2009, partnerships involving businesses and www.ville-geneve.ch/administration- providing a formal framework governing communes are being established. municipale/departement-autorites/ a mutual commitment by authorities, grands-projets/nouveaute- inhabitants and business owners to work contrat-quartier/ towards shared objectives and improve CHALLENGES Portal of Geneva’s authorities living conditions in the neighbourhood. and institutions: Meetings that have been dubbed the In order to build a shared vision of www.geneve.ch “Voice of the Neighbourhood” (“Paroles sustainable development, there must aux quartiers”) are regularly held between be a participatory effort based on a Association of Geneva’s Communes: members of the Executive Council and the strong collaboration between private www.acg.ch local population and focus on the quality and public partners and with the entire of living. For several years now, schools population of the city of Geneva. On the The Canton of Geneva: have been running a participatory budget basis of past experiments, guidelines www.ge.ch experiment: representatives of the pupils, for participatory actions and norms teachers, parents and cleaning staff in are needed. This will foster clarity Geneva legislation: schools or school-related structures meet and coordination between the various www.geneve.ch/legislation/ to discuss the manner in which the budget participatory approaches and with France-Vaud-Geneva should be spent for the improvement of Geneva’s legal and political framework. agglomeration project: living conditions in schools. A data and statistics sharing tool www.projet-agglo.org should be created, encompassing the Municipal information is available in entire territory of Geneva in order to coordinated governance adapted to the Living in Geneva (Vivre à Genève), a provide an accurate diagnosis of the populations’ living area. quarterly magazine that is distributed to sustainable development situation and every household and is available on the the challenges it holds in store. As a result of this unifying approach, the agglomeration has become the largest in the region in terms of the number of communes it includes and the territory it covers.

With regard to voluntary work, which is a key component of participation in community life, the Canton of Geneva has the lowest rates of voluntary commitment in Switzerland: 29.1% com-pared with 45.5% in Bern, for example. The mobility of the population of Geneva, which varies by approximately 3000–4000 people on a monthly basis, is one of the factors that explains this very low participation rate. There are many other elements that make Geneva stand out among other Swiss cities in terms of voluntary work: women are more involved than men (31% versus 27%)

11 COMMITMENT 2: LOCAL MANAGEMENT TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY

SITUATION ANALYSIS perspective, with 1490 million CHF allocate an annual amount of 95 million (986 million €) of debt. As of 31 December CHF (63 million €) to investments. We For the past few years, a good economic 2008, the amount owed by the City of have a financial investment plan that situation has enabled the City of Geneva Geneva totalled 1.38 times its revenues. lists our projects by order of priority for to generate significant excess revenue. the next 12 years. This plan is continu- In 2008, this excess revenue was in the ously being updated and a new version is amount of 155 million CHF (103 million €) WHAT THE CITY OF GENEVA IS DOING issued each year. and represented a 10% share of our net revenue. In order to ensure the healthy state of our finances, which is essential for Municipal revenue, which was 1192 the ongoing success of our actions at We are committed million CHF (795 million €) in 2008, was the municipal level, the Administrative to implementing effective mostly based on taxation (78%) and Council scrupulously controls the evolu- management cycles, revenue from goods (14%). Government tion of our spending, while granting au- from formulation through spending represented 1037 million CHF tonomy to municipal departments with implementation to evaluation. (691 million €) in 2008 and included regard to their allocation of resources. personnel-related expenditure (39%), Since 2004, each department of the City subsidies (21%), acquisition of goods, of Geneva has received a global budget The political authorities of the City give services and merchandise (18%), depre and is free to spread its expenditure municipal services a series of missions, ciation (6%) and interest on debt (6%). among services and types of spending or services, that are to be carried out as it sees fit. On top of this fixed bud- on an annual basis. The mission state- The investments made by the City of get package, each department is free ments are used to present objectives Geneva focus primarily on city planning, to make requests for additional funds, and ensure the transparency of budget cultural infrastructures, the sanitation which are subject to approval by the Ad- allocations for specific missions and of water treatment systems and housing ministrative Council. services. The budget is presented along and building. In 2008, 66 million CHF (44 This effort to control spending at the with an explanatory document drafted million €) were spent in these areas. municipal level is crucial as the City of by the Administrative Council. Geneva can only accurately assess its For some years now, the self-financing revenue several years after the end of Following a motion in 1998, the Municipal margin of the City of Geneva has enabled any given financial year. It is, therefore, Council implemented a management us to finance all of our annual investments unable to make annual expense plans control process that aims to verify the and to reduce our level of debt. Our based on its revenue. suitability of missions or services and financial balance sheet reveals a healthy their objectives, as well to assess the status. We have, however, a high level of With regard to our investment strategy, success of their implementation. debt when viewed from an international the objective of the City of Geneva is to

Debt/revenue ratio of the City of Geneva (1964 – 2008) Self-financing margin of the City of Geneva (1964 – 2008)

% 30 %

500 25

400 20

300 15

200 10

100 05

00 00

1964 1966 1968 1964 1966 1968 1970 1972 1974 1976 1970 1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2002 2004 2006 2008

The debt/revenue ratio provides an indicator of the financial health of a public community. The self-financing margin of a given public community measures its ability to finance The graph shows the level of debt of the City of Geneva compared to its revenue over a its expenditure and investments, after settlement of operational costs. The graph shows 30-year period. the evolution of this indicator over a 30-year period. Source: Department of finances and housing, City of Geneva Source: Department of finances and housing, City of Geneva

12 This process includes organisational au- CHALLENGES dits, specific analyses and monthly con- FOR FURTHER INFORMATION sistency controls. For the moment, it does The challenges that lie ahead for the Finances of the City of Geneva: not assess the suitability of municipal City of Geneva if it is to achieve sustai- www.ville-geneve.ch/themes/ strategies and fails to include sustainabil- nable local management are many and economie-finances-emploi/ ity criteria. Furthermore, internal auditing varied. On the one hand, it must be able finances-communales/ of municipal services is conducted by the to ensure the sustainability of its current financial control centre, which is primarily and future actions, based on healthy fi- Public spending: focused on the City’s accounting. On aver- nances. On the other hand, the City of annual budget, expenditure and age, eight reports are produced per year. Geneva must take specific steps: (i) to subsidies granted by the Department ensure that the methods used to ma- of culture of the City of Geneva: Several important municipal projects nage its financial and non-financial re- www.ville-geneve.ch/ follow the various steps of a precise sources are consistent; (ii) to establish administration-municipale/ project management cycle and include an integrated management process with departement-culture/argent-public/ associated monitoring instruments. regard to municipal action – be it initia- Public accounts: Among these include the establishment ted by the Administrative Council, the supervisory body of the Cantonal of a Plan directeur communal (Commu- Municipal Council or the Municipal Ad- administration, public institutions nal Director Plan, which is a municipal ministration; (iii) to implement an objec- and subsidised agencies: long-term urban development plan), the tive-driven environmental management www.ge.ch/cdc European Energy Award®, the implemen- system; and (iv) to establish a four-year tation of our “City Lighting Management financial investment plan based on sus- Swiss cities’ indicators: Plan” and the creation of a “Municipal tainable development criteria. national platform of sustainable Centre of Acquisitions” (CMAI). However, development indicators: municipal actions do not yet systemati- www.are.admin.ch/themen/ cally adhere to all the rules that usually nachhaltig/00268/00552/ index.html?lang=fr govern management cycles.

13 Commitment 3: NATURAL COMMON GOODS

SITUATION ANALYSIS occupies is also home to an 800-kilo- Despite high urban densities, the ter- metre network of rivers and the biggest ritory of Geneva is home to a very rich The intense traffic levels in the city of drinkable groundwater reserves of the biodiversity. The stretch of the river Geneva are responsible for two thirds of region. The inhabitants of Geneva view Rhône that runs through the territory the pollution recorded in the region. Fur- water as a plentiful resource, a fact of Geneva has been listed among the thermore, the fact that the city is locat- compounded by its relatively low cost. wetlands of international importance of ed in a topographic basin causes the air Water costs approximately 3 CHF (1.98 €) the Ramsar Convention. Around 20% of pollution to be retained in the city. Con- per cubic metre per cubic metre). Water the city’s territory consists of parks and sequently, air quality is poor and exces- consumption is high with 162 litres per urban forests. There are approximately person per day. The World Health Orga- 40 000 trees (forming the equivalent of We are committed nization (WHO) estimates that 50 litres a 50-kilometre alignment) and 428 000 to fully assuming of drinkable water per day per person plants, including 600 species of flower- our responsibility to protect, is the required minimum. The manage- ing plants, around a quarter of which are to preserve and to ensure ment of wastewater must be monitored threatened at different levels. Approxi- with care, as a slight after-treatment mately 200 bird species are listed for the equitable access increase of pollutants has been noted in territory, including a significant number to natural common goods. recent years. of migratory birds. Geneva is on migration paths and a popular destination for sive levels have been noted for three of Nonetheless, the quantity of pollutants wintering birds. the most harmful pollutants – nitrogen released into the environment is follow- dioxide, ozone and fine particles. In fact, ing a downward trend. the average rate of these pollutants reg- WHAT THE CITY OF GENEVA IS DOING ularly exceeds the Swiss legal limits for In certain areas of Geneva, the qual- air pollution. This situation is worrying in ity of the soil has been affected by hu- Despite limited capacities in this field, terms of public health, and yet, over the man activity. This soil pollution gener- the City of Geneva is actively pursuing a years, no progress has been made in our ally stems from industrial activities campaign aimed at protecting and pre- efforts to find a solution. and varies in severity. Soil pollution has serving the exceptional natural resour been recorded on 192 decommissioned ces the territory of Geneva has to offer. The city of Geneva enjoys a comfortable or active industrial sites. A map of pol- It has implemented numerous measures situation in terms of its water supply: it luted and contaminated sites has been to reduce air pollution levels, in compli- is located on the shores of the largest established and a plan has been drawn ance with cantonal guidelines, including: water reserve in Europe, Lake Geneva, up for their decontamination over the – promoting soft mobility; and the 820 square-kilometre basin it next 25 years. – supporting regional action projects

Long-term air pollution index (IPL) in Geneva (2003 – 2007) Presence of post-treatment water pollutants in Geneva’s sewage treatment facilities (2003 – 2008)

IPL

6 Urban Suburban Rural Released waste units/inhabitant

5 250

4 200

MAXIMUM MAXIMUM LIMIT LIMIT 3 150 ACCORDING ACCORDING TO FEDERAL TO FEDERAL LEGISLATION LEGISLATION 2 100

1 50

0 00 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

The IPL is a mixed index that provides information on air pollution based on concentration The graph shows the quality of water leaving Geneva’s sewage treatment facili- levels of the three most harmful air pollutants: nitrogen dioxide, ozone and fine particles ties, measuring the quantity of mud, nitrates and phosphates released into the Source: Cantonal Service for the Protection of Air, Geneva environment in relation to the number of inhabitants connected to the water system. Source: Industrial Services of Geneva (SIG)

14 aimed at reducing individual offered to the residents of Geneva. The protecting the territory’s natural re- motorised traffic; steps that have been taken include: (i) sources. The new Communal Director – developing the cycle path network the establishment of closed circuits for Plan includes ecological “green corri- and pedestrian routes; the water cycle of fountains; (ii) the re- dors” that are to be protected or created – improving public city planning; cuperation of rainwater, leading to a 95% in the heart of the urban area. – upgrading the municipal heating reduction of drinking water consumption; system; and (iii) the use of rainwater to wash state- – taking measures to reduce the owned vehicles, to water parks and sports CHALLENGES environmental and climatic impact centres, and to fill flush tanks. of transport by the Municipal The City of Geneva will pursue its on- Administration; In 2009, the City of Geneva adopted a going efforts to ensure that air qua- – establishing a climate and energy new Communal Director Plan, with one lity does not negatively impact public policy. of its main objectives to establish a ra- health. This has been identified as a tional and sustainable exploitation of priority. Furthermore, the collabora- Since 1996, the City of Geneva has been our land. In parallel to this effort, mu- tion of all the residents of Geneva and of pursuing a diversified strategy for a judi- nicipal services have initiated a coordi- the France-Vaud-Geneva agglomeration cious management of its water supplies. nated strategy for the decontamination is required if we are to achieve a sus- This project has resulted in a 35% reduc- of the 54 polluted sites identified in the tainable compliance with the relevant tion of the municipality’s water consump- territory under municipal responsibility. standards. This objective also implies tion, while maintaining the level of service The City of Geneva actively promotes the a rescaling of our road network and the biodiversity of its territory’s “green heri- establishment of limits governing indi- FOR FURTHER INFORMATION tage”. Parks, walking paths and green vidual motorised traffic. spaces are cared for according to “dif- In order to increase biodiversity in its Geneva 2020, sustainable renewal ferentiated management” principles territory, the City of Geneva is deve- of a centre-city: that take into consideration their uses loping a network of natural spaces and Communal Director Plan: and purposes. Municipal services and habitats. The aim of this project is to www.ville-geneve.ch/themes/ institutions are currently involved in a create a diversified and natural envi- amenagement-construction- dozen projects of regional, national or ronment that is perceived as a factor of logement/urbanisme-planification/ international scope that are aimed at well-being by the population. plan-directeur-communal/

Green spaces in town and sustainable development: a list of best practices for the management of Geneva’s green areas: www.ville-geneve.ch/fileadmin/public/ publications/developpement_durable/ nature-developpement-durable- brochure-ville-de-geneve.pdf

Conservatory and Botanical Gardens of the City of Geneva: www.ville-geneve.ch/plan-ville/ parcs-jardins-plages-bains-publics/ jardin-botanique/

Museum of Natural History of the City of Geneva: www.ville-ge.ch/mhng/

Air Sanitation Plan in the Canton of Geneva: http://etat.geneve.ch/dt/air

Geneva’s Information System (SITG): geo-referenced maps with numerous environmental indicators: http://etat.geneve.ch/sitg/accueil.html

15 Commitment 4: RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND LIFESTYLE CHOICES

SITUATION ANALYSIS energy represents a financial and struc- consumption and increasing its use of tural danger. renewable energies. These efforts have Globally, Switzerland is among the yielded good results; the energy con- countries that show the highest levels The lighting of public areas represents sumption for heating municipal facilities of economic development. The gross more than 20% of the municipality’s elec- has decreased by 40% and the electric domestic income is 66 365 CHF (43 938 €) tric consumption. The pool of lighting fix- consumption of the municipality has per inhabitant. The general living condi- tures, which includes over 14 000 lamps, also been reduced. In 2006, an ambitious tions in Switzerland are marked by is outdated and shows poor energy ef- strategy was implemented to make the an intensive use of natural resources ficiency. Nearly one third of all lamps are energy consumption for heating pur- and a high consumption of goods. As obsolete and at least half show very weak the second biggest city of the country, energy efficiency. Geneva does not escape this trend. We are committed The electricity consumption in Geneva Switzerland shows a slow, albeit constant, to adopting and facilitating shows a slight upward trend but it remains upward trend with regard to the consump- the prudent and efficient below the Swiss national average. The most tion of goods that are produced according use of resources commonly used heating source in city hous- to the principles of sustainable develop- and to encouraging es is fuel (71.4% of homes), followed by gas ment. Certain sustainable products are sustainable consumption heating (23.6%). gaining increasing popularity and have ac- quired considerable market shares (66% and production. The City of Geneva is one of the biggest for recycled paper, for instance). employers of the canton and owns ap- poses of all municipality-owned build- proximately 800 buildings, making it a sig- The volume of waste produced in Geneva ings 100% renewable by 2050. Now, when nificant consumer of energy and goods. per year is 390 kilograms per Inhabitant ever a municipal building is constructed One third of its demands in terms of en- on average, which is 10% higher than the or undergoes renovation works, high- ergy are met by renewable or environmen- Swiss average. Around 33% of this waste energy efficiency standards are set tally friendly resources and two thirds by is recycled, which is less than the Swiss and new alternative sources of energy non-renewable fossil fuels. The electric- average (51%) but some progress has are used such as geothermal and wood ity it uses comes from 100% renewable been made in this area. energy. or environmentally friendly sources. The sources of energy used for heating the ad- In 2009, the city of Geneva was awarded ministrative facilities of the City of Geneva WHAT THE CITY OF GENEVA IS DOING the European Energy Award® label in break down as follows: 50% gas; 44% fuel; recognition of its active efforts in the 4% wood; and 2% solar. The impact on the For the past 30 years or so, the City of field of sustainable energy production. environment is, therefore, high and the Geneva has been pursuing a proactive dependence on non-renewable sources of strategy aimed at reducing its energy The City of Geneva has already achieved

Electricity consumption per inhabitant in the city of Geneva Waste sorting rate in the City of Geneva and and in Switzerland (2003 – 2007) in Switzerland (2001 – 2007) kWh/inhabitant City of Geneva Switzerland % City of Geneva Switzerland

8000 50

7000 40

6000 30

5000 20

4000 10

3000 00 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

The graph compares the electricity consumption trends in Kilowatt hours (kWh) per Waste sorting rate = [Total amount of sorted waste collected]/[Quantity of household inhabitant per year in Geneva and in Switzerland for the period 2003–2007. waste that is incinerated or dumped (=combustible household waste) + quantity of Sources: Cantonal Energy Service, Geneva; Federal Office of Statistics sorted waste collected]. Source: Cantonal Office of Statistics, City of Geneva

16 we must increase the number of selective collection sites, intensify awareness- raising campaigns that target the population and take measures to facilitate waste sorting in households. The use of sustainability criteria governing the acquisition of goods and services by the City is crucial and must be implemented, and it should extend to purchases made by independently managed City-owned facilities and by subsidised organisations. The City of Geneva is planning to intensify and pursue its efforts with regard to its energy and climate policy, with the aim of achieving 100% renewability over the entire territory of the city by 2050. As a result of our efforts in pursuing a sustainable energy strategy, in 2010 we won the European Energy Award® GOLD, the highest European prize with regard to three quarters of the goals that qualify consumables and office supplies, which energy and cities. a town for a European Energy Award®. reduces the amount of waste produced This excellent result places Geneva and limits transport and associated en- FOR FURTHER INFORMATION among the best-performing communes ergy consumption. of Switzerland and Europe in terms of Energy and sustainable development: energy policies. The city of Geneva manages ten waste overview of the best practices regard- recycling plants and 110 waste sorting energy management in Geneva: The City of Geneva has also defined a ing facilities in its territory. It bears the www.ville-geneve.ch/themes/ new objective for its “energy and climate burden of the costs relating to its waste developpement-durable-energie/ policy” by proposing a long-term vision, management policy, whereas compa- energie-climat/ecogestes/ dubbed “Together for a 100% renewable nies have to bear the burden of theirs. “100% renewable energy by 2050” city by 2050”. Strategic objectives and A series of measures has been taken strategy for heating municipal specific programmes were identified to improve the collecting and recycling buildings: and an agenda of energy-related pro of waste. An intensive programme was http://www.ville-geneve.ch/themes/ jects has been established until 2013. successfully implemented to address developpement-durable-energie/ the issue of illegal dumping of cumber- energie-climat/politique-energetique- A public lighting master plan, the “Light some objects. The Polluter Pays Princi- climatique/chauffage-100-renouvelable/ Plan” was established in 2009. It includes ple is applied to all public events and, as upgrading 4500 light fixtures, which a result, waste sorting facilities have be- Public lighting plan for the City should lead to a 30% reduction of the mu- come commonplace. Several eco-con- of Geneva: upgrading Geneva’s public nicipality’s electricity consumption. tracts have been established between lighting system: www.ville-geneve.ch/themes/ the City and private partners in order to amenagement-construction-logement/ The acquisition of goods and services reduce the impact of commercial activi- urbanisme-planification/plan-lumiere/ is the third highest source of the City of ties on the environment. Geneva’s expenditure and represents Energy and climate policy of 18.7% of municipal spending. In 2007, the City of Geneva: the City of Geneva created an acquisi- CHALLENGES http://www.ville-geneve.ch/themes/ tion centre tasked with purchasing sus- developpement-durable-energie/ tainable goods and services. Already, We must increase our efforts to reduce energie-climat/politique-energetique- our acquisitions in the field of informa- the volume of waste and to make re- climatique/ tion technology equipment and vehicles cycling widespread. The City should ® target products that show a slower rate improve its collection of sorted waste European Energy Award : an award in recognition of the efforts of Swiss of obsolescence. E-commerce has been and its recycling processes in order to communes pursuing a sustainable introduced into our acquisition strate- achieve, as a minimum requirement, the energy strategy: gies pertaining to common consumer same results as those noted in the rest of www.european-energy-award.org goods such as information technology Switzerland. In order to reach these goals,

17 Commitment 5: PLANNING AND DESIGN

SITUATION ANALYSIS considered that a minimum vacancy rate Geneva does have some responsibil- of around 2% is required for the market ity with regard to planning and urban The city of Geneva is the most densely to remain open. Given this shortage, the management. Furthermore, most heri- populated commune in Switzerland and growth of the property market is clearly tage sites and the major symbols of one of the most densely populated cities insufficient (+7.4% in 15 years). architecture and history are located in in Europe (120 inhabitants per hectare). its territory. Federal as well as cantonal The centre of Geneva is the most popu- law protect this cultural heritage of his- lous area and is thus the most exposed to We are committed toric buildings. environmental damages. The peripheral to a strategic role for region of the commune is less densely urban planning and design The City of Geneva owns a considerable populated and is marked by a high de- in addressing environmental, amount of communal public property, a gree of land partitioning. Some parts of social, economic, health fact that implies many challenges. the communal territory are undergoing The City is a major landowner with a and cultural issues for changes and are awaiting an urban re- portfolio that includes a variety of built newal plan – for example, near railway the benefit of all. and non-built sites (e.g. land, buildings, stations and warehouse areas. Geneva is facilities, forests, parks). The municipal- the only Swiss city that has a population The situation has led to a steady increase ity has undertaken a systematic inven- increase (+4.2% in ten years). This rise is of the price of land and property prices. tory of its architectural heritage. accompanied by a slight decrease in the Only one third of the Swiss population number of jobs, which has enabled the consists of home owners, which makes it In the context of its plan for land exploi- city to retain a certain degree of func- the country with the fewest home owners tation (PUS – Plan d’utilisation du sol), tional diversity in terms of employment in Europe. In the city of Geneva, 93.4% which it established in 2007, the City of versus housing (0.7 homes per job). of the population lives in rented homes. Geneva imposed a 70%–80% housing Rents are extremely high and, in Europe, rate depending on the area considered, This situation is threatened by the very are second only to London prices. The av- a mandatory share of public or private difficult situation of the housing mar- erage gross monthly rent paid in Geneva green areas for any plot of land exceed- ket. Indeed, a population increase and is 2000 CHF (1340 €). ing 1000 square metres, and activities economic growth have led to a strong open to the public on the ground floors need for space and generated a hous- of buildings to encourage street level ing crisis. Shortages affect all catego- WHAT THE CITY OF GENEVA IS DOING activities. ries of real estate. The rate of available homes in Geneva is one of the lowest in Communes have limited power in terms In 2009, the City adopted a new Commu- Switzerland and in Europe (0.19%); it is of urban planning. However, the City of nal Director Plan, “Geneva 2020, sustain-

Density of the population in the city of Geneva, compared with Annual variation of the number of homes in the city of Geneva Switzerland and Europe (2005 – 2008) (1992 – 2008)

Density (inhabitants per hectare) Variation of the number of new homes per year, compared with previous year

120 1200

100 1000

80 800

60 600

40 400

20 200

00 00 2004 2005 2006 2007 93 96 07 9 9 1992 1 1994 1995 1 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 20 2008 City of Geneva Five most densely populated cities in Switzerland: Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Bern, Lausanne Five most densely populated cities in Europe: London, Berlin, Madrid, Rome, Paris Sources: Union of Swiss Cities (UVS); Eurostat and Urban Audit Source: Cantonal Office of Statistics, City of Geneva

18 able renewal of a centre-city”. It provides erty market in its entire territory and FOR FURTHER INFORMATION a contractual and strategic framework has, therefore, targeted its actions on and represents a commitment made by maintaining and reinforcing the num- GENEVA 2020, sustainable renewal public authorities. It defines eight priori- ber of affordable accommodations it of a centre-city: Communal Director ties regarding communal urban planning, has to offer and promoting diversity in Plan: establishing a set of mid-term which are to be achieved by 2020. Among the use of public spaces. City-owned and long-term strategies for city planning and the development these priorities are the promotion of a real estate, which includes 5300 homes of its territory: healthy mix of employment and housing, (i.e. 5.25% of the housing units for the www.ville-geneve.ch/themes/ construction of new homes and the avail- entire communal territory), is managed amenagement-construction-logement/ ability of affordable homes. by a central office, the Municipal Real urbanisme-planification/ Estate Management Committee (GIM – plan-directeur-communal/ For the past several years, the City of Gérance Immobilière Municipale). Ap- Geneva’s policy has been to improve proximately 95% of these homes are Municipal real estate management the quality of its public spaces. It has rented according to social criteria and by the City of Geneva: adopted a Communal Director Plan gov- allow low-income residents to live in www.ville-geneve.ch/administration- erning its strategy with regard to its them for half the value of the going rent municipale/departement-finances- public amenities in order to improve on the free market. Approximately 400 logement/services-municipaux/ gerance-immobiliere-municipale/ equipment coherence and its integra- City-owned buildings are administrative tion in the environment. This concept or public buildings (e.g. schools, sport- France-Vaud-Geneva agglomeration: has led to a reduced use of municipal ing facilities, cultural sights). Many of long-term planning of the public spaces and to less heteroge- these have historical value. development of the Geneva region: neous equipment (benches, billboards, www.projet-agglo.org etc.). The City of Geneva does not have sufficient influence to change the prop- CHALLENGES The City of Geneva would like to gain full control of the evolution of its territory and encourages public and private partners to pursue tangible objectives in terms of sustainable urban planning. Building, renovating and managing municipality-owned real estate and buildings by following a sustainable strategy (in terms of energy, building materials, water treatment and skills) is in itself a challenge. So is our project to increase the number of exemplary buildings in terms of sustainability.

The City of Geneva intends to pursue a proactive policy by creating more social housing units (+2000 homes) by pros- pecting the housing market more inten- sively, leveraging its pre-emptive rights and creating new partnerships with private and public stakeholders.

The City also has a principal part to play in enhancing and redeveloping abando- ned or run-down areas and in renovating various industrial areas. Another challenge that the City is keen to address is to ensure that every new neighbourhood is a zero energy development project and that there is an ongoing effort to transform the city into a series of sustainable neighbourhoods.

19 Commitment 6: BETTER MOBILITY, LESS TRAFFIC

SITUATION ANALYSIS In the city of Geneva, personal motorised The modal share of public transport in vehicles are the main mode of transport. the city of Geneva has not evolved much Most jobs in the region are concentrated Proportionally, however, their importance in recent years (+1% between 2000 and in the city of Geneva, whereas the hous- has followed a downward trend with a 2005). The public transport network is ing situation is marked by a much broad- 17% decrease between 1994 and 2005. reaching its limits. It follows a radial er distribution. Consequently, a 2005 The car-to-home ratio is now 0.7, and 36% geometry and is, therefore, ill-suited to survey revealed that there were close to of the population does not own a car (+6% meet the commuting needs of the popu- 500 000 cantonal border crossings per in five years). However, there has been an lation and badly adapted to the current day, with over 90% of cross-border trips increase in the number of two-wheeled traffic conditions. Its performance levels being carried out in individual motorised motorised vehicles (+4% on average). This have reached full capacity. New regional vehicles. Within the canton, approxi- is primarily explained by the development public transport infrastructures are cur- of the cycling infrastructure and of free rently being built and include several parking for two-wheeled vehicles. There tram lines. A transborder railway link are no longer any unlimited free parking (CEVA) between Cornavin station (Geneva) We recognise the places in the commune. and Annemasse (Haute-Savoie) is being interdependence of transport, considered. It would connect the French health and environment For residents, a special system has and Swiss rail networks and would and are committed been established: the payment of a fee include a regional express train net- to strongly promoting entitles them to park their car for an in- work (RER). sustainable mobility choices. definite period in so-called “blue zones”. Visitors may only use short-term park- There is an increasing use of soft mobility ing places, which are free in blue zones by the population (cycling and walking), for one hour, or they may use white zone and in 2000 it became the most widely mately 40% of our commuting needs are parking places, which they pay for at used form of transport in town (49%). met by the use of personal motorised parking ticket machines. Out of the 80 Bicycle traffic is also following a steady vehicles. This situation is damaging to 500 parking places in the communal ter- increase; since 1987, the number of bicy- the quality of living conditions in the ritory, 60% are located on private prop- cles crossing the bridges of Geneva has city as well as to the quality of public erty. Out of these, only 9% belong to the increased threefold. spaces. The road network is saturated, City of Geneva. This is the only leverage the air is polluted and noise pollution is the City has in terms of parking manage- Road safety is generally good in Switzer- increasing. Traffic is the main source of ment. New construction sites are subject land and, in this regard, Geneva follows noise in the communal territory, with 63 to a standard that varies according to the suit. In 2007, there were 3.18 accidents kilometres of streets measuring sound area (maximum of 1.6 parking places per involving victims per 1000 inhabitants levels that exceed the authorised limits inhabitant for 100 square metres of gross (the national average is 3.49). However, and approximately 80 000 inhabitants surface area and a minimum of one bicy- the safety afforded to cyclists remains to affected by excessive noise. cle parking place). be improved.

Evolution of the modal distribution revealing the commuting habits of the Number of daily commuters, by mode of transport, coming population of the City of Geneva (1994 – 2005) into the Canton of Geneva and the city of Geneva (2002 – 2005)

70 Trips/day

60 80000 Individual 50 non-motorised Public transport transport 60000 40 Public Individual 30 transport 40000 transport

Individual 2005 20 motorised transport 20000 10

00 00 1994 2000 2005 2002 2005

Modal distribution is calculated as a percentage of the distances covered. The graph shows the number of people, by mode of transport, coming into Individual non-motorised transport includes cycling and walking. the Canton of Geneva and going into the city of Geneva during an average Source: Director General of Mobility, Canton of Geneva 24-hour working day. Source: Office of Mobility, Canton of Geneva

20 modes of transport – for instance, municipal employees are encouraged to use city bicycles to go to professional meetings.

CHALLENGES

The project of enabling the road network to comply with federal rulings governing noise protection is a major challenge. Municipal authority is limited in terms of traffic and interventions that aim to moderate the flow of traffic are particularly complex to implement on the bu- siest routes of the network.

The city of Geneva is taking part in sustainable mobility efforts within the France-Vaud-Geneva agglomeration by lending its support to the creation of WHAT THE CITY OF GENEVA IS DOING strips, cohabitation with pedestrians and new public transport infrastructures, bus lanes), which amounts to approxi- including exchange centres that will Despite its limited authority in terms mately one half of the total road network. provide vital new public services. of organising and managing traffic on More than 7000 secure parking places for its territory, the City of Geneva has for bicycles have been created and the City The City of Geneva will continue to encou- several years pursued a vigorous stra of Geneva supports an association that rage non-motorised modes of transport tegy promoting sustainable mobility. It promotes cycling and offers bicycle rental through city planning, adequate strate- strives to direct city planning towards a and loan services. gies and the promotion of eco-mobility. functional diversity of housing and jobs and endeavours to improve the quality of An action plan aiming to promote urban life in residential areas. walking was established ten years ago FOR FURTHER INFORMATION and is still actively followed. The City As per the federal ruling on protection of Geneva has adopted a Communal Di- Pedestrian itineraries: Geneva on foot, against noise, the City is legally bound to rector Plan governing the creation of 10 routes with 10 different themes: find solutions for the sections of roads pedestrian paths. The second phase of www.ville-geneve.ch/themes/ mobilite/pieton/10-promenades- that exceed the limit values in terms of the plan, which is to be launched in 2010, decouvrir-geneve/ noise pollution by 2018. A noise-reduction includes the expansion of the pedestrian programme is currently in progress and network and the development of pedes- 20 kilometres/hour and 30 kilometres/ concerns a 63-kilometre stretch of roads. trian priority. Furthermore, interven- hour zones: reduced speed, increased In order to reduce noise pollution and to tions carried out on an ad hoc basis, or enjoyment: improve the quality of living in residential in the context of global projects, have www.ville-geneve.ch/themes/mobilite/ areas in a sustainable fashion, the City improved the safety of walkers and the voitures-motos/zones-20-30 is also establishing a 30 kilometres per continuity of pedestrian itineraries. hour speed limit in certain zones; 15 such GENEVA 2020, sustainable renewal zones have already been created and an- The city of Geneva is taking part in the of a centre-city: other 12 are planned by 2020. sustainable mobility efforts made with- Communal Director Plan: www.ville-geneve.ch/themes/ in the France-Vaud-Geneva agglomera- amenagement-construction-logement/ Each year, there are several awareness- tion by encouraging the creation of new urbanisme-planification/ raising campaigns promoting soft mobility public transport infrastructures that will plan-directeur-communal/ that target specific audiences, and espe- provide important new public services. cially children. In 2004, the City of Geneva Mobility and sustainable adopted a strategy governing its network Several measures have been taken within development: of cycling lanes. Out of 125 kilometres of the Municipal Administration to promote www.ville-geneve.ch/fileadmin/public/ planned cycling paths, 92 kilometres have soft mobility; an example is the “range of publications/developpement_durable/ already been reworked to accommodate transport options” that proposes various mobilite-developpement-durable-bro- the growing number of cyclists (lanes, incentives to use non- or low-polluting chure-ville-de-geneve.pdf

21 Commitment 7: LOCAL ACTION FOR HEALTH

SITUATION ANALYSIS Participating in sports, which is one way tions, sense of insecurity, general atmo- of limiting health problems, is widely sphere, etc. In the Canton of Geneva, life expectancy practised in Geneva. At least 115 000 is 83.3 years for women and 77.6 years people partake in some form of sport- They work towards the social integration for men. An indicator that measures pre- ing activity and the city is home to 800 of inhabitants (French lessons, intercom- mature mortality rates (before age 70) re- clubs and sporting associations. Sports munity meals, reading and homework veals that it has regressed between 1995 are experiencing a growing popular- workshops, meetings between parents and 2005, due to a reduction of infectious ity, in particular with regard to leisure and children of various nationalities), diseases, accidents, suicides and violent activities practised outside the con- on local solidarity projects (neighbourly aggressions. The progress made is essen straints imposed by a club (such as run- support), and on the use of public spaces tially due to medical advances in the ning), and the population is increasingly with a special focus on social relations treatment of cancer, cardiovascular and aware of the impact of exercise and a (mediation between the users of public infectious diseases as well as efforts made proper diet on health. The local boom of in traffic accident prevention and anti- organic foods and markets that offer or- We are committed tobacco campaigns. At least 85% of the ganic products illustrates an evolution to protecting and promoting population considers itself to be in good in ways of thinking and behaviours. or excellent health. There are 750 hospital the health and well-being beds per 100 000 inhabitants (compared of our citizens. to 610 beds per 100 000 inhabitants in WHAT THE CITY OF GENEVA IS DOING Switzerland and 590 beds per 100 000 inhabitants in the European Union). Health planning and public health are the spaces in various neighbourhoods). responsibility of The Canton of Geneva, The main pathologies identified in Geneva while the City is in charge of the social Many preventive actions were con- are representative of those found in Euro- strategy and health-related actions on a ducted among the general public and pean developed countries and are largely community level. in private companies such as raising linked to lifestyle choices. In Geneva, so- awareness in terms of soft mobility or cial and health-related issues stem in Community Action Units (UAC) created by promoting safety at work or at home. large part from the deterioration of social the Municipal Administration operate in cohesion – for example, isolation, margin- various neighbourhoods and focus their A special prevention effort has also alisation, exclusion, and dwindling inter- efforts on identifying the different fac- been made to protect the health of generational relations. tors pertaining to health – living condi- toddlers and schoolchildren, with a

Number of life-years potentially lost in the City of Geneva (1998 – 2007) Number of meals, with a food quality label, served during each school year in the school canteens of the City of Geneva Number of life-years lost City of Geneva Switzerland

8000

7000 Number of meals

6000 600 000

5000

4000 400 000

3000

2000 200 000

1000

00 00 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2004- 2005- 2006- 2007- 2005 2006 2007 2008 The number of life-years potentially lost illustrates the rate of premature mortality. The rate is The number of meals, awarded a label that guarantees a balanced diet, calculated on the basis of the number of deaths that occur before the age of 70 and takes into served to children in the school canteens of the City of Geneva over four account the years of life lost between the age of 70 and the age of death. The rate is standardi- school years. sed for 100 000 inhabitants and is calculated demographically for men and women. Source: Department of social cohesion, youth and sports, City of Geneva Source: Cantonal Office of Statistics, City of Geneva

22 policy ensuring the quality, diversity various associations. Sporting activities aimed at strengthening social cohesion and safety of food served in 40 school are proposed at very low rates in order to is crucial. The City of Geneva intends canteens established and financed by enable access to all. Thus, the younger to respond to and resolve the various the City. These canteens were awarded members of the community enjoy free urban issues as rapidly as possible. the “Green Fork” junior label. The City access to sporting events organised by To achieve this, it must have objective of Geneva also takes the health and liv- the municipality. And for about 20 types assessments of the social cohesion ing conditions priorities of its citizens of physical activity, courses are offered problems it is facing and of the impact into account when selecting building at no cost to people over age 55. These of its action on the health of its citi- materials for construction projects. activities are becoming more and more zens. A locally coordinated municipal popular as attendance has increased by social and health policy can lead to The City of Geneva supports sporting ac- 12.5% between 2003 and 2005. the establishment of a strategy aimed tivities as it considers that they can be at overcoming health inequalities. The used as an instrument of integration for priorities that have been identified, in the promotion of health and social inter- CHALLENGES collaboration with the canton and in the actions, especially when the participants context of prevention policies, relate to are young, elderly or underprivileged. The In a multicultural context such as the dietary issues, mobility, teenage alco- City organises numerous events aimed city of Geneva, strong municipal action holism and depression. at promoting sports among the less privileged members of the population. Furthermore, recreational and sporting activities are organised in schools in underprivileged neighbourhoods. Sev- eral new urban sports, popular among the teenage population, have received our support, for instance, through the construction of skate parks in seven neighbourhoods. The City uses these as a platform to conduct campaigns aimed at reducing the risk of accidents and dis- couraging young people from using drugs. Another way in which the city lends its support to sporting activities is by making school sports facilities available to

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

City of Geneva Community Action Units (CAU): www.ville-geneve.ch/themes/social/ action-communautaire/

Sports and sustainable development: www.ville-geneve.ch/fileadmin/public/ publications/developpement_durable/ sport-dev-dur-brochure-ville- de-geneve.pdf

A city for the elderly: information site for the elderly living in Geneva: www.seniors-geneve.ch/cite_seniors. php

Fourchette verte: a food quality label given to restaurants that promote a healthy diet: www.fourchetteverte.ch

23 Commitment 8: VIBRANT AND SUSTAINABLE LOCAL ECONOMY

SITUATION ANALYSIS largely been replaced by jobs created communal territory’s surface area is in the wake of the massive boom of the farmland, which represents a 50% de- The city of Geneva provides 150 000 jobs, service industry. Nowadays, financial crease over 20 years. At the cantonal which is more than half the jobs available and retail activities are mainly concen- level, the number of farms and agricul- in the entire canton. The service industry trated in the centre of the City. Eight fi- tural jobs has fallen by half but there are represents around 93% of the economic nancial jobs out of ten and six retail and still some farms and land to provide the activity, whereas the manufacturing in- hotel jobs out of ten are located in central city’s population with local produce. Lo- dustry is responsible for the remaining Geneva. The finance industry and luxury cal agriculture, though limited, has seen 7%. The importance of the agricultural, goods business have gradually taken over a surge in popularity. fishing, forestry and mining industry is local shops and services in the centre and marginal. Since 2001, the number of jobs they currently experience a lack of diver- Geneva is also the destination for many has followed an upward trend in Geneva sity in terms of economic activities. business travellers (80% of tourism). The private sector conducts 99.5% of tourist Despite its highly dynamic economy, the promotion activities. The average price We are committed city of Geneva has the highest unem- for a hotel night in town is the highest to creating and ensuring ployment rate among Swiss cities, rising in Europe – 300 CHF (185 €) for a double a vibrant local economy to 7.3% in 2008. This figure is explained standard bedroom. The average price that gives access by structural factors that are specific in European cities is 158 CHF (105 €), to employment without to Geneva: (i) the education level and/or whereas a hotel room in London costs damaging the environment qualifications of the jobless population 235 CHF (156 €). are lower than those of the working population; (ii) there is a large regional pool (+3% per year), while the economic ac- of workers from which companies can WHAT THE CITY OF GENEVA IS DOING tivities carried out in the territory have pick; (iii) longer unemployment periods; fundamentally evolved. and (iv) the average age of the jobless The Canton of Geneva is in charge of population is high, making career oppor- economic promotion, while professional The development of the communes sur- tunities scarce. The unemployment rate training lies within the competence of rounding Geneva has led many industries in the city of Geneva is on par with the the Confederation of Switzerland and to shift their activities from the centre to European average. professional federations. Within the the periphery. In the past 20 years, 62% limits of its responsibilities, the City of the jobs in the manufacturing sector The number of jobs in the agricultural, of Geneva strives to support local jobs have disappeared and the city has lost fishing, forestry and mining industry and sustainable economic activities. approximately 7300 jobs. These have sector is negligible. Only 1.5% of the Through Fondetec, its foundation for the

Unemployment rate in the city of Geneva, compared Real GDP variation (%) with Switzerland and Europe (1999 – 2007)

Number of companies created real GDP

700 5.0 % City of Geneva Swiss cities European Union 4.5 600 10 4.0

500 3.5 8 3.0 400 6 2.5 300 2.0 4 200 1.5

1.0 2 100 0.5

0 00 0 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

The graph shows the unemployment rate compared with the working population in Geneva. This rate is then The number of companies created annually in the territory compared with the average unemployment rate in Swiss cities (no available data for 2007 and 2008) and with of the city of Geneva compared with the annual variation the average unemployment rate in the European Union. (%) in the gross domestic product (GDP) of the Canton of Sources: Cantonal Office of Statistics, City of Geneva; Federal Office of Statistics; Eurostat Geneva. The graph compares the economic situation with the creation of new companies. Source: Cantonal Office of Statistics, City of Geneva

24 The economic promotion of Geneva: www.whygeneva.ch

Fondetec: a foundation that aims to promote new job-creating companies, to support and to develop existing companies and to stimulate innovation in the city of Geneva: www.fondetec.ch

APRES-GE, organisation for a social and solidarity-based economy: www.apres-ge.ch

Think-tank for a social and solidarity-based economy: www.essaim.ch

Fourchette verte (Green Fork): quality label awarded to catering “Unemployment Fund”, which finances tion. It pursues a deliberate strategy in establishments in recognition the social and professional reintegration favour of job creation by increasing the of their efforts to promote health: of the unemployed or people searching for number of apprenticeships and through www.fourchetteverte.ch employment by supporting professional the support provided by municipal ser- reintegration associations and companies. vices to beneficiaries of professional re- Campagnon.ch: guide of ecologically integration measures. The City of Geneva friendly leisure activities and rural Geneva also encourages the social holds a seat on numerous administra- tourism in Geneva’s countryside: economy sector (non-profit, coopera- tive boards and foundation councils and www.campagnon.ch tives, mutual organisations). In 2009, strives to influence the policies imple- Platform for a socially the City of Geneva financed the cre- mented by companies and institutions sustainable agriculture: ation of the first think-tank for social it has some control over. It encourages www.agrisodu.ch economy (Essaim), which will develop such companies to promote and adopt a social and solidarity-based economy best practices in order to address social Geneva’s Tourist Office: by 2014 by combining classic economic and environmental issues. www.geneve-tourisme.ch theory with social and solidarity-based economic concepts. More broadly, the development of jobs and of the economic City is in favour of providing facilities CHALLENGES fabric in the city of Geneva, it promotes and funds to companies and non-gov- new job-creating companies, supports ernmental organisations that contribute The City of Geneva endeavours to col- and develops existing businesses and to the development of a sustainable and laborate with local companies in order stimulates innovation. vibrant local economy. to promote and adopt best practices in terms of their environmental and social Since it was created in 1997, Fondetec The City of Geneva lends its support to cul- responsibilities. Geneva must continue to has lent approximately 47 million CHF tural activities and more generally to the be an attractive city. This may be achie- (31 million €) to over 350 companies. cultural world by allocating about 60 mil- ved by increasing the quality, accessibi- Roughly a quarter of the projects accep lion CHF (39.6 million €) in financial subsi- lity and sustainability of public spaces, ted in 2008 were budgeted at less than dies and about 10 million CHF (€ 6.6 mil- cafes, restaurants and bars owned by 50 000 CHF (33 000 €) and are considered lion) in material resources (i.e. by providing the City. A significant increase in the per- “micro-credits”. The initiators of these facilities). At least six types of grants for centage of local and seasonal produce projects are often unemployed citizens artists are handed out each year. In addi- served in these catering establishments looking for work. Fondetec also strongly tion to facilitating the creation of events, would benefit local producers and lead to supports women entrepreneurs. In 2008, this support allows dozens of local cultural reduced transport of goods. Public spen- nearly half of the accepted projects were institutions to function and employ hun- ding policies are also a manner in which exclusively led by women. dreds of people in this sector. the City may help sustainable companies grow. More generally speaking, contribu- Several projects pertaining to social and With approximately 4000 employees, ting to the establishment of sustainable professional reintegration receive sup- the City is one of the biggest employers tourism and ecotourism is also a major port from the City of Geneva, including an of the France-Vaud-Geneva agglomera- challenge.

25 Commitment 9: SOCIAL EQUITY, JUSTICE AND CULTURE

SITUATION ANALYSIS olent crime remains below the European tonnes in 2006). The city of Geneva pro- average (15 homicides in 2008). Crimes vides a civil protection shelter as emer- Geneva is a prosperous city, an attribute against public and private property rep- gency accommodation for the home- it shares with the rest of Switzerland. resent 80% of all penal code violations. less, with 15 000 beds provided during However, poverty does exist even though The number of car thefts has decreased the winter of 2008–2009. it remains unseen by the general public, by 45% in 15 years and bicycle theft has and the income gap has widened since diminished by roughly 35%. However, The social policy of the City of Geneva 2003. In Switzerland, the poverty thresh- the number of burglaries has shot up focuses on local community actions, old is fixed at 2200 CHF (1450 €) per (+21.6% between 2007 and 2008), espe- whereas the canton establishes poli- month per single-person household and cially in apartments. cies relating to health, social and fi- 4650 CHF (3000 €) per month for a couple nancial assistance, and unemployment with two children. Social services have benefits. However, the City grants sup- noted an increased vulnerability of new plementary financial aid to about 8000 population groups: single and/or iso- We are committed people in the amount of 11 million CHF lated individuals, illegal migrants, young to securing (7.2 million €). The City of Geneva also adults (20–25 years), single-parent fami- inclusive and supportive provides about 5000 social housing lies and families with several children. communities. units.

The population of Geneva includes At the local level, Community Action 182 nationalities, 24 of which count at As in many other similar-sized cities, Units (UAC) work closely with local least 1000 representatives. The foreign there is a strong feeling of insecurity residents to address problems such as population enjoys quite varied socio- among large portions of the population. the isolation of the elderly, integration economic conditions. The integration In some areas, the presence of drug of migrant children and assistance to rate of foreign residents is the highest dealers breeds fear, and large gather- families that have to care for a disabled in Switzerland (7.7% compared with the ings of youths in public areas lead to a relative or a dependent person. The City national average of 5.5%). Schools play sense of insecurity. has developed other instruments to an important role in the integration of facilitate the participation of its resi- foreigners. Geneva’s public teaching fa- Geneva is a culturally dynamic city. It in- dents such as the “Contrat de quartier”, cilities provide schooling for all children, cludes about 40 museums and art cen- a participative programme bringing to- including those without a legal status. tres, around 30 theatres and one opera gether the public and the municipality house, 50 art galleries and exhibitions within specific work groups. Compared with most European cities, and around 15 libraries and cinemas. Geneva is relatively safe. Serious and vi- Approximately 100 festivals and events Although gender equality is a legally presenting a wide range of artistic disci- established right, and despite the sig- plines are held each year. nificant progress that has been made in this area, it is still not a reality. One Income disparity levels in the city of the priorities of the City of Geneva is of Geneva – the Gini Index (2003–2006) WHAT THE CITY OF GENEVA IS DOING to reduce inequality between men and

Gini index women by fighting gender-related ste- Fighting poverty and exclusion remains reotypes. In 2008, it signed the Europe- 0.540 a priority for the City of Geneva. For this an Charter on Gender Equality in Urban

0.520 purpose, it coordinates the actions un- Environments, and in 2009 it adopted dertaken by all of its private and public regulations governing gender equal-

0.500 partners and offers a series of services ity in the Municipal Administration as such as free meals and emergency ac- well as taking a series of related mea- 0.480 commodation. Approximately 80 000 sures. Current human resources policy meals are served in municipal “social (expressed within the new statutes for 0.460 clubs” per year, a figure that has dou- municipal employees) includes a five- bled between 2004 and 2006. The City month maternity leave, a four-week pa- 0.440 2003 2004 2005 2006 also supports a social project called ternity leave as well as parental leave. Partage, which collects food surpluses The Gini Index measures disparities in income distribu- from local companies that would oth- Ensuring safe public areas is also one of tion within a given population. It ranges between a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 1 (0 being the absence erwise be thrown away and distributes the City of Geneva’s priorities. For this of inequality and 1 being the greatest inequality possible). The graph shows the index as calculated on them to private and public social agen- purpose, it installed video surveillance taxable revenue. cies. Approximately 380 tonnes of food equipment in 2009 and employs mu- Sources: Cantonal Department of Finance, Geneva; Cantonal Office of Statistics, City of Geneva were handed out in 2008 (versus 280 nicipal security agents. City-employed

26 school patrollers ensure the safety of children to and from school. In city- owned buildings, janitors are trained to carry out minor conflict resolution. The City of Geneva plays a major role in the cultural life of the region. It spends close to 20% of its budget in this area and 15%–20% of its investments goes to culture, which is one of the highest rates among European cities. Around 20 events are held each year; these il- lustrate the great cultural diversity and heterogeneity of populations and cul- tures in the city – for example, the “Fête de la Musique” (Festival of Music) or the “Nuit de la Science” (Science Night). It supports music, theatre, dancing, cine- ma, modern art, writing, publishing and multidisciplinary events. It pays special attention to new forms of artistic ex- pression and independent productions. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION It’s Your City: neighbourhood festivities that provide the population with the The main priority of the City’s action in Regulations of the Administrative opportunity to enjoy the public space, terms of cultural promotion is the ac- Council concerning gender equality in various stalls and animations: the Municipal Administration: www.ville-ge.ch/culture/vav cessibility to culture for all, indepen- www.ville-geneve.ch/fileadmin/public/ dently of socio-cultural origin, age or Cadre_legal/egalite-reglement-2009- Neighbours’ Party: friendly social income. The biggest cultural events put ville-de-geneve.pdf gathering among the residents of a on by the City are free and special rates building, street or neighbourhood: are offered to the elderly, the young and The City of Geneva’s policy regarding www.ville-geneve.ch/themes/social/ people with disabilities as well as to equality and diversity: manifestations-evenements/ people with a low income. www.ville-geneve.ch/themes/ fete-voisins/ vie-privee-egalite-citoyennete/ egalite-diversite/ Disabilities & Culture: CHALLENGES provides cultural institutions with Social cohesion: best sustainable de- specific measures to accommodate for velopment practices relating to social the needs of citizens with disabilities: In an urban context undergoing issues in the city of Geneva: www.ville-geneve.ch/themes/culture/ constant transformation with strong www.ville-geneve.ch/fileadmin/public/ culture/handicap-culture/publications/ migration flows, the challenge resides publications/social/Cohesion-sociale- in pursuing a local municipal policy developpement-durable-brochure- Cultural chequebook: special offers that preserves social cohesion and that ville-geneve.pdf and discounts on shows and other is adapted to the rapidly evolving envi- cultural events in Geneva: ronment. Neighbourhood meetings and The City of Geneva’s Community www.ville-geneve.ch/themes/culture/ social and cultural projects should be Action Units: culture/mesures-specifiques/ encouraged as they contribute to the www.ville-geneve.ch/themes/social/ participation of the local population. action-communautaire/ Measures facilitating access to culture for a young audience: Culture and sustainable development: www.ville-geneve.ch/themes/culture/ Fighting insecurity and the feelings best practices governing the culture/jeune-public/ thereof, both of which have a nega- sustainable development of the City tive impact on the sense of convivia- of Geneva in the cultural domain: 20 francs for 20-year olds: discount lity in neighbourhoods, are priorities. www.ville-geneve.ch/fileadmin/public/ card for under 20s on cultural events: It is crucial to facilitate collaboration publications/developpement_durable/ www.20ans20francs.ch between different municipal services, culture-et-developpement-durable- in particular between municipal agents brochure-ville-de-geneve.pdf Senior city: information site for the and Community Action Units (UAC) elderly in the city of Geneva: and to further develop the «Contrat de www.seniors-geneve.ch/cite_seniors.php quartier» projects.

27 Commitment 10: LOCAL TO GLOBAL

SITUATION ANALYSIS modern world and the challenges that it nity and in particular that of non-govern- faces are established here: these pertain mental organisations. Geneva is the second-largest United Na- to the environment, health, the economy, tions office and the host city of numerous trade, social and humanitarian assis- The City of Geneva participates ac- governmental and non-governmental or- tance and human rights. tively in the international cooperation ganisations, diplomatic missions and in- between cities. In addition to its UCLG ternational meetings. Geneva is thus one Development aid spent in Geneva (by the membership (United Cities and Local of the world’s main capitals in terms of canton and the communes) is the highest Governments – an international net- multilateral cooperation for peace, jus- in Switzerland. In 2006, it represented work of cities), it is also a member of 30 tice and sustainable development. 46.2% of cantonal and communal contri- general and specialised city networks butions at the national level. at the Swiss, European and global level. It favours networks dedicated to the There is no global monitoring of CO environment, human rights, peace and We are committed 2 democracy. In addition, the City belongs to assuming our global emissions in the territory of the city of Geneva. Nor does the city have any fig- to key networks that are working on cli- responsibility for peace, ures relating to current levels of green- mate protection, for instance, the Mayors justice, equity, sustainable house gas emissions generated by the Council on Climate Change, EnergieCités, development and activities of its administration. However, City of Energy, and ICLEI (Local Govern- climate protection. the climate issue, which was until now ments for Sustainability). tacitly integrated into our energy policies, has become a crucial element of our The city of Geneva has defined its inter- Because of the presence of a wide range future action. national solidarity objectives and aims of political, economic and social stake- to spend 0.7% of its operational budget holders, many of the most serious mod- in this domain. Currently, it allocates ern challenges are discussed and ad- WHAT THE CITY OF GENEVA IS DOING somewhere between 0.25% and 0.4% dressed on a daily basis here, including of its national annual budget to inter- climate change, environmental impacts, The City of Geneva serves as a host city national solidarity. In 2008, the amount pandemics, migration issues and inter- for international organisations, non- allocated in the context of the munici- national exchanges. Geneva is a major governmental organisations, diplomatic pality’s efforts towards international research centre where agreements are representations and international meet- solidarity was of 3.7 million CHF (2.45 reached and consensus is found bet ings in collaboration with the Confed- million €). ween parties. In this process, attention eration of Switzerland and with the is directed to the sustainable develop- Canton of Geneva. It implements many In 2009, the City of Geneva redefined its ment of the world. The rules and stan- measures to facilitate the arrival and energy and climate policy based on a re- dards that govern many activities of the integration of the international commu- duction of consumption and the develop-

Heat expenditure index (IDC) of buildings in the Share of City spending used for international city of Geneva (2002 – 2008) solidarity efforts (2003 – 2008)

% IDC [MJ/m2 x a] 560 0.5

540 0.4

520 0.3

500 0.2

480 0.1

460 0 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

The graph shows the evolution of the average heat expenditure index of buildings in the The graph shows the percentage of the City of Geneva’s expenditure for foreign aid city of Geneva that existed in 1993 and that have five tenants and more than one central (towards development and humanitarian aid) compared with the total of amount of heating system, i.e. 5000 known buildings. The index represents the final energy in the City of Geneva’s current spending (expenditure without depreciation). The actions megajoules, consumed for the production of heat during one year in one building, considered herein include aid in favour of public communities and private structures divided by the reference surface of the building in square metres. that provide public services. Source: Cantonal Energy Service, Geneva Source : Department of finances and housing, City of Geneva

28 ment of renewable energies. Its policy We are currently examining how to best CHALLENGES now integrates climate-related goals. achieve our goals in a long-term vision, dubbed “Together for a 100% renewable The City of Geneva must define a policy FOR FURTHER INFORMATION city by 2050”. Considering the limited au- of solidarity and international co thority of the commune, the action that operation that is both consistent and European Charter of Human Rights the City undertakes to fight greenhouse transparent. Furthermore, it must be in Urban Environments gas emissions mainly pertains to its real accountable and integrate sustainable (City of Geneva is a signatory estate (800 buildings), its fleet of vehicles development criteria. For this purpose, to the Charter): and urban planning. it will allocate 0.7% of its budget to www.aidh.org/Europe/Charte_ international cooperation and solidarity. des_DH.htm In 2010, the City of Geneva will join the 1000 signatory cities of the Mayors’ Con- A voluntary action plan must be esta World Mayors Council on Climate vention of the European Commission, blished to achieve the objectives relating Change: www.iclei.org/index.php?id=7192 which is an association committed to to the municipal energy and climate exceeding European objectives regard- policy, as described in the “Together for Local Governments for ing greenhouse gas emissions, known a 100% renewable city by 2050” project. Sustainability (ICLEI): as the “3 x 20” (reduction of energy con- To do so, it must include accurate www.iclei.org sumption by 20%, covering 20% of ener- instruments to monitor the evolution of gy requirements with renewable energy greenhouse gas emissions. Covenant of Mayors and a 20% reduction of CO2 emissions www.eumayors.eu by 2020). The City of Geneva has also decided to establish calculation and as- European Energy Award®: sessment methods in order to measure www.european-energy-award.org regional and transborder greenhouse gas emissions

29 Conclusion

The Sustainable Development in the City of Geneva: 2010 In December 2009, the United Nations Climate Conference Baseline Review is an essential phase of the process that in Copenhagen highlighted the failure of states to agree on a aims to turn Geneva into a sustainable city. Drawing up this global response to the worldwide challenges that lie ahead. It overview has been a mobilising exercise for the municipality demonstrated the importance of the role that the international and for those who took part in the project. It also has been civil society must play in realising the urgency and gravity of the a difficult process, as is often the case when using a new situation. However, the Conference also had to acknowledge perspective to analyse a situation and establish an action that it is powerless to transform the daily lives of millions of plan. people who are subject to the permanent consequences of flawed development. It confirmed the growing importance of Identifying the strong points, detecting the areas that show cities as new stakeholders in the field of environmental and room for improvement, completing sparse data, monitoring social governance. Their local management role has made the progress made and agreeing on the challenges that are them key actors of local governance. The establishment of to be addressed are all crucial steps in our ongoing municipal networks on a global and continental scale is a significant efforts to achieve sustainable development for the city and measure taken to address the challenges that lie ahead as we its environment. move forward in the 21st century.

The City of Geneva will use this review to continue its efforts Geneva is an “international city” and, for those who know it, a by implementing an action plan for sustainable development city with a strong sense of community. The process that led to that includes a series of priority targets. the signing of the Aalborg Commitments helped us understand the importance of the role we have to play locally. And it also As Geneva enters the second decade of the 21st century, this allowed us to gain a better understanding of the opportunities process provides a solid sustainable development strategy, afforded by our position on the international scene, especially with tangible goals and adequate means to measure the as the European seat of the United Nations and as a member progress made. of the UCLG (United Cities and Local Governments an international network of cities). Minimising the impact of human activity on the environment is, for the industrial society in which we all participate, an Our understanding of sustainable development strengthens exceptional challenge that will change our way of thinking, our commitment towards a global governance that is working and living our daily lives. By consuming less to live capable of responding in a timely and efficient manner to the better, we acknowledge that public administrations have an expectations of the most vulnerable members of society as added responsibility in this area, as their primary mandate is well as to ensure the protection of the planet. to provide what is best for the population. We, therefore, have a duty to set an example and to demonstrate cohesion for all of our citizens.

30 SOURCES

The facts and figures provided in this Sustainable Development in the City of Geneva: 2010 Baseline Review come from the following main sources:

– City of Geneva: www.ville-ge.ch – Republic and Canton of Geneva – Cantonal Office of Statistics (Office cantonal de la statistique – Ocstat) www.geneve.ch/statistique – Swiss confederation – Federal Bureau of Statistics (OFS): www.statistique.admin.ch – French-Vaud-Geneva agglomeration project: www.projet-agglo.org – Industrial Services of Geneva (SIG): www.sig-ge.ch – Geneva Association for Sports (AGS): www.sports-geneve.ch – Database of Swiss cities and cantons: www.badac.ch – Urban audit: www.urbanaudit.org