ICLEI is delighted to extend a warm welcome to its two newest members, Bethlehem (State of Palestine) and Limerick (Ireland). These vibrant cities join a community of forward-thinking municipalities dedicated to driving sustainable urban development and combating climate change. With their inclusion, ICLEI gains invaluable partners in shaping a greener, more resilient future! Together, we look forward to fostering innovation, sharing best practices, and collectively building sustainable and thriving urban environments for the benefit of all.

Bethlehem

Bethlehem lies in the central region of the West Bank. It is surrounded by picturesque hills and holds significant historical and religious importance. Its population of around 35,000 embraces a unique urban landscape that combines ancient landmarks with a vibrant tourism industry – tourism is the city’s main economic driver.

Bethlehem Municipality has a vision to because sustainable across various fields, viewing sustainability in relation to culture, heritage, tourism, safety, and smart development. They have key plans in place related to sustainable mobility, tourism, energy, and green infrastructure. Municipal representatives are keen to work with ICLEI and its network to find new solutions to local challenges, and to implement these to continue to build a more sustainable city.

Limerick City and County

Limerick, a city and county situated in the southwestern region of Ireland, boasts a blend of rich history and modern charm. Nestled along the River Shannon, it enjoys scenic landscapes, including greenery and waterways. With a population of approximately 100,000, Limerick thrives as a dynamic urban hub, driven by diverse industries like technology, pharmaceuticals, and education.

The City and County Council’s Development Plan sets out policies to enhance access to urban green space, provision of nature-based play areas, protection of biodiversity, and more. Limerick is hard at work to ensure that its richness of green and blue areas continues to thrive and support local health, resilience, and wellbeing.

Limerick became an ICLEI Member for a number of reasons, including to access the support that the organisation and network provide to find and implement sustainable solutions to local challenges.

Welcome to these newest ICLEI Members! To learn more about ICLEI Membership, visit https://iclei-europe.org/join-iclei/.