ICLEI Europe’s network of local governments committed to sustainability continues to grow. The newest members are Hammersmith & Fulham London Borough Council (United Kingdom), and Karşıyaka Municipality (Turkey).

Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council is the local authority for the borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, which is part of the Greater London area. The borough is rich with public green space and cultural attractions. These characteristics make for ample room for exchange and knowledge-sharing with other ICLEI Europe Members.

Karşıyaka Municipality is located in western Turkey on the Gulf of İzmir. The municipality’s environmental department is actively working on a variety of sustainability topics, prominently including efforts to reduce waste. For example, a new packaging waste collection programme was launched in December 2019, which includes a door-to-door information campaign and distribution of “blue bags” for separating recyclable waste. This year, efforts will be extended to engage street collectors and provide support to establish street collector co-operatives to be included in the new system.

Ms. Saadet Çağlın, a Council Member at Karşıyaka Municipality, explains, “We, Karşıyaka Municipality, are determined to follow a consistent policy for sustainability in our city. It is now an obligation, not an option, to take local action for our environment. We must decrease carbon emissions, we must focus on renewable energy. We must create a natural, well-developed, liveable and equitable future. That is our main reason to join ICLEI. We must build a sustainable world together!”

For more information on ICLEI membership, click here.