Urban Environment
Aalborg Charter and Aalborg+10 Commitments
The European Sustainable Cities and Towns
Campaign was launched at the end of the First European Conference
on Sustainable Cities and Towns that took place in Aalborg,
Denmark in 1994. The Conference adopted the Aalborg
Charter (pdf~30K) which provides
a framework for the delivery of local sustainable development
and calls on local authorities to engage in Local Agenda 21
processes. Nearly 2,000 local authorities in Europe participate
in the Campaign. A group of 10
networks of cities and towns active in different aspects
of sustainable development have joined together to form the
Campaign and support local authorities in their work on local
sustainable development.
The campaign has organised 4 regional conferences on sustainable
cities and towns in 1998 and 1999 (Turku, Sofia, Seville and
the Hague). It has also organised 3 further European Sustainable
Cities and Towns Conferences (Lisbon 1996, Hanover 2000 and
Aalborg +10 in 2004).
The 4th European Sustainable
Cities and Towns Conference ("Aalborg
+10") adopted the Aalborg +10 Commitments. These commitments are an
important step forward in turning sustainable urban development
from words into real actions. The then Environment Commissioner,
Margot WALLSTRÖM, said at the conference "the Aalborg
+10 Commitments are a courageous initiative. I congratulate
you on this impressive achievement."
By signing the Commitments, cities voluntary
agree to undertake a baseline environmental review of their
city within the first 12 months. Within 24 months, cities
must have identified targets for action, in consultation with
stakeholders, for a range of environmental issues. Cities
must monitor progress in delivering the targets and make regular
reports to their citizens.
To see the signatories to the Aalborg +10 Commitments, click here. |