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Iclei World Congress 2003 COUNCIL REPORT Agenda Item 5.13 27 November 2003 ICLEI WORLD CONGRESS 2003 Committee Environment, Sustainability and Indigenous Affairs Presenter Cr Risstrom Purpose 1. To report on the key outcomes for Council arising from the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives World Congress held in Athens from 3-7 November 2003. Recommendation 2. That Council note this report. Council Report Attachment: 1. Environment, Sustainability and Indigenous Affairs Committee, Agenda Item 3.8, 20 November 2003 ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABILITY AND Agenda Item 3.8 INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE REPORT 20 November 2003 ICLEI WORLD CONGRESS 2003 Division Sustainable Development & Strategy Presenter Robyn Leeson, Manager Environmentally Sustainable Development Purpose 1. To report on the key outcomes for Council arising from the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) World Congress held in Athens from 3 - 7 November 2003. Background 1. The objectives of the World Congress are to: 1.1. exchange information on challenges experienced and successes achieved by local governments in the area of sustainable development; 1.2. evaluate strategies to accelerate local action in this area; 1.3. develop specific programs to advance such strategies and commitments; and 1.4. input into the development of the ICLEI Strategic Plan 2004 – 2009. 2. The World Congress is organised by ICLEI and attendance is by invitation only. Councillor Risstrom was invited in his capacities as: 2.1. a member of the ICLEI Executive and Management Committee; and 2.2. the leader of the ICLEI – Australia/New Zealand delegation. 3. Councillor Risstrom and Robyn Leeson attended the Congress on behalf of Council. Travel was endorsed by Council’s Travel Committee. Issues Invited contributions 4. Three presentations were delivered to the floor of the Congress on behalf of Council: 4.1. Letting the Sunshine In: Using Renewable Energy in Melbourne which outlined Council’s greenhouse gas reduction program and key renewable energy projects such as the Queen Victoria Market Photovoltaic Project and Council House 2. The paper was presented to a session on the Cities for Climate Protection program. 4.2. The Business of Local Government: Managing for Sustainability Using Triple Bottom Line was presented to a session on managing for sustainability. The paper featured Council’s planning model and business approach which uses triple bottom line. 1 4.3. Some Experiences from Sydney: Greening the Olympic Games 2000 which was presented to a session on Greening Events. The presentation outlined some of the lessons learned from the Sydney Olympics and preparations Melbourne is making for the Commonwealth Games in 2006. 5. Cr Risstrom was invited to contribute to a local government consultation of the Cardoso Panel which is the United Nations Secretary-General’s High Level Panel on Civil Society. The Panel emphasises an open, transparent and consultative process and seeks to improve the interaction between civil society and the United Nations. Cr Risstrom highlighted the need for a focus on global common goods, security through cooperation and the role local government can play as a conduit between communities and the United Nations. 6. Cr Risstrom was invited to present “The Athens Call” to a meeting of cities (including the Coalition of 21 Greek Cities) in the Chamber of the Athens Town Hall. The Athens Call was a key outcome of the Congress session on Greening Events which heard experiences and advice from cities involved in staging large events including the Olympic Games. The cities present endorsed the Athens Call. Key strategic outcomes 7. Cr Risstrom was elected Vice-President of ICLEI and Asia-Pacific Regional Chair at the meeting of ICLEI’s Executive Committee. Such a level of representation will assist Council in progressing its environmental objectives and also increase the contribution to ICLEI from the region. 8. The Melbourne Principles featured in the keynote address by Dr. Klaus Topfer, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme. The Principles (refer to Attachment 1) were presented by the Lord Mayor to the floor of the World Summit on Sustainable Development last year. The Principles were endorsed by the Summit and are reflected in Local Action 21, the working document for local government. The Principles were also the subject of a joint paper by Environment Canada and the Victorian EPA on the need for principles in the pursuit of sustainability by local governments. As a result, the City of Melbourne is involved in further discussions with the State Government, the Canadian Government, UNEP and ICLEI on the ongoing development of the Principles. 9. Robyn Leeson attended a briefing session for cities which have formally expressed interest in bidding to host the next ICLEI Congress in 2006. The criteria outlined by ICLEI place the City of Melbourne in a strong position to be successful in its bid. This was enhanced by a physical presence at the Congress and the ability to discuss and elaborate on Council’s environmental achievements as well as its unique ability to host a successful international meeting. 10. The City of Melbourne stall in the ICLEI “Market Place” was well attended and prompted a lot of interest from delegates. The stall was stocked with key publications and profiled both our key environmental projects as well as profiling the city as a destination. 11. In addition to the profiling opportunities afforded by pre-arranged presentations and discussions, attendance at the ICLEI World Congress offered a number of other opportunities to the City of Melbourne. 11.1. the Congress papers offered a unique opportunity to exchange best practices with other local governments and to learn from others (eg. Energy conservation programs in Copenhagen); 11.2. key contacts were made with other cities that may result in future partnerships (eg Vancouver’s Cities PLUS initiative); and 11.3. contact was made with staff from the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) regarding the public sector supplement. There is strong interest in Council making a contribution to the development of public sector sustainability reporting at an international level. 2 Finance 12. The cost of accommodation and conference registration for Councillor Risstrom was borne by the Congress organisers. The cost to the City of Melbourne of $6,800 included travel expenses for Dr. Leeson, exhibition space, preparation of publications and incidental expenses. Legal 13. This report is for information only and no legal consequences arise. Sustainability Connected and Accessible City 14. There are no significant impacts arising from this report. Inclusive and Engaging City 15. There are no significant impacts arising from this report. Innovative and Vital Business City 16. Representation at the Congress may result in the success of Council’s bid to host the Congress in 2006. If this is the case, the city’s businesses will benefit from the event through increased patronage by delegates. (eg most directly hotels, conference venues, restaurants and translation services) Environmentally Responsible City 17. Travel to the Congress resulted in greenhouse gas emissions. Recommendation 18. That the Environment, Sustainability and Indigenous Affairs Committee receive this report. Attachment: 1. The Melbourne Principles for Sustainable Cities 3 Attachment 1 Agenda Item 3.8 Environment, Sustainability and Indigenous Affairs Committee 20 November 2003 THE MELBOURNE PRINCIPLES FOR SUSTAINABLE CITIES Principle 1 Provide a long term vision for cities based on sustainability. Clarification of Principle 1 A farsighted vision that addresses the sustainability is the starting point for catalysing long term change towards this outcome. The vision should express the shared aspirations of cities that wish to become more sustainable. A sustainability vision will help align and motivate communities, governments, businesses and others around a common purpose, and provide a basis for developing a strategy, action program and processes to achieve that vision. Principle 2 Empower people and foster participation and inter-generational equity. Clarification of Principle 2 People have a right to be involved in the decisions that affect them, and they add value to the final outcome. The journey towards sustainability needs the support of all, and attention needs to be given to empowering those whose voices are not always heard, such as the poor. This approach also allow for the mobilisation of local resources as well as the early and active participation of all in long term planning and implementation. Empowering people will provide access to local knowledge, which is important in identifying issues and yielding solutions. Equity means equal opportunity in accessing both natural and human services, and ensuring that natural and human capital is not degraded for future generations. Principle 3 Recognise and build on the characteristics of cities including their human, cultural, historic and natural systems. Clarification of Principle 3 Cities have specific human, cultural, historic and natural characteristic that provide insights on compatible and acceptable pathways to sustainability. Building on existing characteristics facilities the motivation and mobilisation of human and physical resources of cities to achieve sustainable development and regeneration. 1 Principle 4 Build on the characteristics of ecosystems. Clarification of Principle 4 Adopting features of natural ecosystems as a model for urban
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