Local Renewables Conference sends out a call for action on sustainable energy to local governments and decision-makers

Last week, ICLEI together with the City of Freiburg held a European conference on sustainable energy, which attracted over 200 experts from local governments, academia and the energy industry.

The conference Local Renewables Freiburg 2007, held from 13-15 June 2007 in Freiburg i. Br., Germany, clearly illustrated the reality, the effectiveness and the incredible potential of sustainable energy solutions implemented at community level. The conference was organised by ICLEI in close collaboration with the City of Freiburg.

As a conclusion to this successful event, the Mayor of Freiburg, ICLEI and the participants adopted the Freiburg Outreach as a position paper and vision for the development of sustainable energy at local level. The Freiburg Outreach demonstrates why local governments should move towards 100% sustainable energy, what kind of local action is necessary for achieving this goal, and what legal frameworks need to be put in place at national and EU level to support such a movement.

“We are ambitious enough to use 100% of our potential, not only 2/3rds. To achieve this we require and insist on national and European support”, stated Freiburg’s Lord Mayor, Dr. Dieter Salomon.

More than 200 participants from 34 countries attended the conference to explore the interconnection between sustainable energy and three key issues relevant to local communities:

- Climate protection

- Security of energy supply

- Sustainable local development, local resources

In over 60 presentations, experts from local government, research and development institutions and the energy industry shared their experience and latest innovations in sustainable energy.

For more information on the conference, please visit www.local-renewables2007.org or download the Freiburg Outreach here.