CIFAL Atlanta: Sister Cities Economic Development Partnership Forum - Energy Efficiency and Renewables
The seventh objective of the U.N. Millennium Development Goals, as agreed to by 192 member countries, focuses on ensuring environmental sustainability by 2015. To meet this goal, governments must act now to reduce emissions and pollution, to protect natural resources, to adopt conservation principles, and to look for alternative clean energy sources.
Local governments are becoming more active in developing policy to combat climate change, achieve carbon neutrality, and implement sustainable business and growth practices. In the USA, over 700 mayors have signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement pledging to significantly reduce emission of greenhouse gases by 2012. Cities will realize this goal through a multi-pronged effort which includes energy and land conservation, alternative energy use, and the creation of healthy cities.
Many proactive governments and corporations are finding that adopting long-term sustainable practices carries true benefits in terms of economic growth and job creation, lower energy bills, and quality of life improvements such as reduced congestion and green space preservation.
This event will gather industry experts and local authorities with the following objectives:
- To introduce participants to Landfill gas-to-energy technologies and project models;
- To exchange information on local renewable Energy Market and carbon trading Markets.
- To promote mutually beneficial public-private partnerships
Learning objectives for participants are as follows:
- To understand the concept of Landfill gas-to-energy technologies and project models
- To understand the local renewable Energy Market and carbon trading Markets and how it can contribute to cities goals to contribute to environment sustainability
- To initiate partnerships, cross-sharing, and networking practices across public and private sectors and especially among local authority representatives.
Structure: UNITAR Knowledge Management Methodology and best-practice sessions, experts plenary-talks, panel discussions, and site visits.
Topics include: Local renewable energy markets, public-private partnerships, successful LFGTP in the region.
UNITAR Knowledge Management Methodology for face-to-face learning, including:
- Field visits
- Peer review
- Self assessment modules
- Mayors,
- Landfill and public works directors, and
- Industry experts
The goal of CIFAL Atlanta’s Environmental Sustainability program is to provide a forum for governments and civil society leaders to share best practices for implementing ecologically sound policies that support and stimulate long-term economic growth. Workshops will examine sustainability in water management, land use and regional planning, integrated waste management and methane capture and reuse, and transit / green space initiatives to improve quality of life and reduce congestion.