Representatives from academia, science and research, the local economy, civil society, and policy have come together to form the new 40-person Sustainability Council of ICLEI member and host city Freiburg (Germany). On 6 November, Lord Mayor and ICLEI Regional Executive Committee member Dieter Salomon welcomed the council members to their first meeting at the University of Freiburg.

Established in 2008, the local Sustainability Council acts as an advisory body to the municipal council and city government in the implementation of urban sustainability goals. Input from key local institutions and organisations is generated for the implementation of the city’s 60 sustainability goals drawn from 12 parent policy areas, and covering topics including education, culture, improved mobility, and city planning and urban development. At the same time, members of the local Sustainability Council act as multipliers for the goals within their respective communities.

The ICLEI European Secretariat is a member of the council, and is represented by Deputy Regional Director Stefan Kuhn. ICLEI works closely with fellow council members to support the local government in the incorporation of the sustainability goals into the municipal budget, and the development of a new sustainable neighbourhood for the growing city.

For more information, visit the Freiburg City website [in German].