On 12 October from 16:30-18:00 CEST, join ICLEI Europe, the European Network for Social Integration Enterprises (ENSIE), EUROCITIES, the Polish city and Green City Accord signatory, Gdynia, and the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) for the session ‘Clean and resilient cities & a social economy for a just and green transition’ at the 2021 European Week of Regions and Cities.

The pandemic has highlighted the inextricable link between human and environmental health in urban settings. To build clean, healthy and resilient cities, a green and just recovery is imperative.

Based on city, regional and civil society perspectives, this session will reflect on experiences in planning and implementing actions towards a green recovery, while emphasising the benefits of a Social Economy. It will also explore how initiatives, like the Green City Accord, can strengthen the political will and capacity of key actors to protect and safeguard the urban environment in close collaboration with citizens and relevant stakeholders.

The only way to mitigate future risks and increase the preparedness of urban communities and environments to handle growing climate threats and other disasters, is to ensure no one is left behind.

Confirmed session speakers include: Audrey Linkenheld, First Deputy Mayor, City of Lille (France); Katarzyna Gruszecka-Spychała, Deputy Mayor, City of Gdynia (Poland); Lina Liakou, Global Director, Engagement & Knowledge, Europe & Middle East, Resilient Cities Network; Attracta Ui Bhroin, Vice-President, European Environmental Bureau (EEB), Facilitator for the Environmental Law Implementation Group; and Augusto Lima, Councilor of Integrated Local Development, City Council of Famalicão (Portugal).

And video interventions from mayors of three Green City accord signatories: Jorge Azcón, Mayor, City of Zaragoza (Spain) and member of the Committee of the Regions; Ana Oregi, Deputy Mayor, City of Vitoria-Gasteiz (Spain); and Katrin Stjernfeldt Jammeh, Mayor, City of Malmö (Sweden); followed by Paolo Pelliccioli, Mayor of Mozzo (Italy); Szilvia Temesvári, Deputy mayor of Budapest Metropolitan Area Terézváros Municipality (Hungary); and Daniel Beger, President of Świętochłowice Municipality (Poland).

The Green City Accord is a movement of European cities committed to safeguarding the environment. In signing the Green City Accord, city leaders agree to take further action to protect the natural environment and to achieve ambitious goals by 2030 by making progress in five target areas: air, water, nature & biodiversity, waste & circular economy, and noise.

ICLEI Europe, EUROCITIES and CEMR are supporting the European Commission in developing and implementing the Accord.

To learn more about the Green City Accord, please visit www.greencityaccord.eu or contact: contact@greencityaccord.eu

Register for the session here