Local Renewables 2007

Freiburg 13 – 15 June 2007

Sustainable energy concepts for cities and municipalities

The important issues of climate protection, local development, local energy economy, security of supply, municipal services and urban planning are considered during this top-class conference - reflecting the tremendous opportunities provided for the economy and communities when changing to sustainable energy.  

Freiburg, 23.05.2007 – Can renewable energies contribute to the future energy supply and climate protection at the local level? Which financial reforms support this? How should the framework conditions be (re-)structured such that the local economy also profits? The international conference Local Renewables 2007 – ‘Powerful local action for secure and sustainable energy in Europe’, June 13-15, considers these issues, attracting local decision-makers and experts from around the globe to come to Freiburg. The event is supported by the EU Programme “Intelligent Energy Europe” and also reflects the focus of the German EU Presidency on environment and climate. It takes place under the patronage of the Federal Minister of the Environment, Sigmar Gabriel.

Approximately 50% of the world population lives in cities, producing around 75% of global CO2 emissions. Cities therefore need to take responsibility for greenhouse gas emission reduction, and also need to  respond to the expected impact of climate change. City planners and local decision-makers world-wide are increasingly considering how to address these issues, as well as how to become less dependent on increasingly scarce and expensive fossil fuels.

The conference Local Renewables 2007 seeks to facilitate the transformation of abstract CO2 reduction targets into concrete implementation concepts for local energy supply and economic development. Expected participants of the event are decision-makers and experts from national and local administrations, local energy suppliers, energy consultants and representatives of the energy industry.

The focus of this three-day conference and the accompanying exhibition, both taking place in Freiburg’s Solar Info Center, are the wide range of technologies and processes, particularly concentrating on sustainable energy solutions and approaches in the post-oil era.

It is recognised that we are currently in the peak oil phase, and despite available reserves that could last for decades,. it is clear that no new vast untapped oil wells are being discovered. Furthermore support for the fossil energy industries is decreasing as energy costs rise, and the world-wide demand for and use of energy is increasing exponentially. As such it is clearly time to address the transition to alternative fuel sources, and regard energy as a valuable resource. In addition to the rising oil and gas prices there is political uncertainty about energy supply, and the struggle to supply Europe also reflect these changes – thereby alarming cities and municipalities in view of energy supply security.

Renowned experts, providing an overview of the possibilities provided by available sustainable technology, will open the event. These options incorporate quite a range: the use of passive and active solar energy (e.g. for space or water heating), solar thermal cooling and electricity production;  geothermal heating and cooling of residential and commercial buildings – using a diverse range of energy options such as water, wind, bioenergy, and fuel cell technology. At the forefront are implementation aspects also addressing financing and exemplary case studies from various parts of the globe.

The Local Renewables 2007 Conference follows closely on the Large Cities Climate Summit of the C40 (14th-17th May, New York). At this event the world’s 40 largest cities were in the foreground, considering effective CO2 reduction solutions. In Freiburg, which is regarded as an exemplary city for the C40, the focus is on mature technologies, framework and finance reforms and successfully implemented concepts for communities, particularly in Europe.

The leading organisation in this event is the international network ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, founded in 1990 and with its headquarters in Toronto, Canada. This global consortium of local governments and their associations works towards sustainable development. Over 500 cities and municipalities are members of ICLEI, including 180 in Europe. Further to this over 1 000 cities participate in ICLEI’s Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) Campaign. The European Secretariat of ICLEI is based in Freiburg, Germany, and closely involved in the conference progarmme development.

Dr. Dieter Salomon, Freiburg’s Lord Mayor, is a member of ICLEI‘s international Executive Committee. In his role as Lord Mayor of ICLEI’s host city, Dieter Salomon will give an account of sustainability concepts and  successful implementation in Freiburg. These examples include Germany‘s first zero-emissions factory, the rotating heliotrope and Energy-Plus Residences of renowned architect Rolf Disch, as well as the low energy district of Vauban, which integrated renewable energy and sustainability at the conceptualisation phase. In the area of R&D the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) is an international leading research institute located in Freiburg, which is a well-known university city in the south of Germany.

Local Renewables 2007 is linked to the “10th International sun21 – Forum” for renewable energies and energy efficiency, taking place June 15th-22nd in Basel (CH). The conference is also a precursor to the “Intersolar 2007” trade fair for solar technology, which has taken place annually in Freiburg since 2000. It has become Europe’s leading trade fair for solar technology with approximately 23,000 visitors from around the world attending the trade fair last year.


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At a glance 

Local Renewables 2007

Date:     June 13th – 14th, 2007

Location:     Freiburg im Breisgau - Solar Info Center

Target group:     

- Municipal officers and decision-makers from cities, towns, and districts
- Heads of departments and staff  of energy, building, planning, and economic      development departments, including their partners and private providers in these areas
- Politicians and councillors from all levels of governments
- Energy providers
- Business representatives
- Experts in the areas of sustainable development and politics

Conference languages:     

- English
- German (simultaneous translation)
- French, Italian, Portuguese (limited selected translation)

Host:   

City of Freiburg

Programme:     

ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability
European Secretariat
Leopoldring 3
79098 Freiburg
Tel.: +49-761 / 368 92-0
Fax: +49-761 / 368 92-79

Conference fees:

    € 380 - Regular fee
    € 320 - Reduced fee

- Registrations received after 8 June 2007 require an additional administration cost of € 50.-

More information and registration     

www.local-renewables2007.org

About ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability

ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability is an international association of local governments and national and regional local government organisations that have made a commitment to sustainable development. More than 550 cities, towns, counties, and their associations worldwide comprise ICLEI's growing membership.
ICLEI works with these and hundreds of other local governments through international performance-based, results-oriented campaigns and programs. As an international association of local governments, ICLEI has Observer status in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change of the United Nations (UNFCCC). ICLEI was founded in 1990 and has its headquarters in Toronto, Canada. The European Secretariat is located in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.

About ICLEI’s Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) Campaign

The CCP Campaign was initiated in 1993 as an international campaign to bring together cities and towns active in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and addressing climate protection in diverse areas of action. Currently, over 800 local governments world-wide take part in this campaign, including around 160 from Europe.

Media requests and accreditation:

Press centre Local Renewables 2007
c/o York Communications GmbH
Ulrich L. Schneppel

Tel. +49-(0)761-48080-0
Fax +49-(0)761-48080-55
local-renewables2007@york-communications.de