Policy & advocacy
ICLEI connects ambitious local and regional governments with leading peers, national governments, as well as the European Commission and related institutions, the United Nations, business, academia, finance and NGOs. By doing so, they can learn and advance at a quicker pace.
ICLEI represents local and regional governments in European and global policy processes. We work with the European institutions and other networks to influence and shape the debate on urban sustainability policies and legislation and ensure that project financing is formulated to address sustainability challenges, and is accessible to cities, regions and public authorities.
Working with partners to influence change
As an organisation, ICLEI is involved in a number of processes and initiatives with local and regional sustainability governance. Below are key pieces of advocacy work at ICLEI and their broader impacts in the sustainability field.
Those working for a city are often approached to join initiatives or to become signatories of Commitments, Declarations and Messages in the area of sustainable development. You may ask yourself, “why are these important and why should my city participate?”
As a global network of politically strong cities, towns and regions, ICLEI and its Members have the opportunity to shape the debate and profile their cities at a European and international levels.
Learn about how your city can take advantage of these European and global initiatives to support your work locally.
Driving the European movement for local sustainable development
Since its founding, ICLEI has been one of Europe's primary advocates for local sustainable development. Through its European Sustainable Cities and Towns conferences and a series of initiatives and documents housed on the European Sustainable Cities Platform, it has mobilised thousands of local governments in Europe and beyond in the name of sustainability. There have been some key milestones on this journey:
The Aalborg Charter
The 1994 Charter marked a turning point for local sustainable development in Europe. Inspired by the Rio Earth Summit’s Local Agenda 21, it was developed by individuals, municipalities, NGOs, national & international organisations, and scientific bodies.
The Aalborg Commitments
The Aalborg Commitments came a decade after the Charter. The Commitments encompass a list of qualitative objectives organised into 10 holistic themes that provide a local level framework for embedding sustainability across municipality sectors.
The Basque Declaration
The Basque Declaration was the main outcome of the 8th European Sustainable Cities & Towns Conference in 2016. It outlines 15 pathways for socio-economic, cultural and technological transformation for a more liveable, sustainable and inclusive Europe.
The Mannheim Message
The Mannheim Message was launched at the 9th European Sustainable Cities & Towns Conference in 2020. It outlines five core systemic changes and nine policy shifts needed to bring about transformation for a sustainable Europe.
Position papers
Collaborating with leaders
Overarching
Urban 5
A group of five European city networks (Climate Alliance, Energy Cities, ICLEI Europe, EUROCITIES, CCRE CEMR) committed to sustainable urban development and the transition to renewable energy at the local level.
Committee of the Regions (CoR)
ICLEI works closely with the Committee of the Regions (CoR) to mobilise the resources needed to develop and fund urban adaptation, to support cities in project preparation, and to aid national governments in creating policy-enabling environments to finance such projects.
Category A liaison in ISO Standard setting on sustainable communities
ICLEI is a category A liaison in ISO Standard setting on sustainable communities and cities (ISO TC 268), which includes the development of requirements, frameworks, guidance and supporting techniques and tools related to the achievement of sustainable development. It also contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals through its standardisation work.
Climate change mitigation / adaptation & governance
The European Commission’s Working Group on Green Infrastructure and Restoration
ICLEI Europe is a member of the Working Group on Green Infrastructure and Restoration through which the European Commission exchanges with Member States and non-governmental organisations on activities and policies to promote green infrastructure.
Making Cities Resilient 2030
In a world impacted by cascading emergencies, including COVID-19, floods, earthquakes, climate change and other disasters, the need to understand and reduce systemic risks
and increase resilience has never been stronger. UNDRR's Making Cities Resilience 2030 (MCR2030) offers cities a clear, three-stage resilience roadmap to assessing, planning
and implementing risk reduction and resilience-building initiatives. ICLEI Europe serves as co-chair of MCR2030's Regional Coordination Committee (RCC) for Europe, working with the RCC Europe Secretariat on developing and implementing the MCR2030 Europe Regional Roadmap.
The EIP-SCC Manifesto on Citizen Engagement
Recognising the importance of greater engagement of local authorities with citizens in developing responsible, inclusive and sustainable smart cities through discussion and implementation of concrete policy measures and tools, ICLEI is a signatory of the EIP-SCC Manifesto on Citizen Engagement, which was launched in 2017.
Local Government Climate Roadmap
ICLEI is the facilitator of the Local Government Climate Roadmap, an international process used to present the UNFCCC with key issues that local governments want to include for consideration in the international climate negotiations.
Procurement
Green Public Procurement Advisory Group
Since 2006, ICLEI has been supporting the work of the European Commission regarding green public procurement (GPP), contributing expertise to discussions held by the GPP Expert Group of the EU-27, chaired by DG Environment.
UN Marrakech Task Force on Sustainable Public Procurement
ICLEI Europe was part of the United Nations Marrakech Task Force on Sustainable Public Procurement to promote and support the implementation of public procurement programmes that encourage the uptake of sustainable products and services.
Procura+ European Sustainable Procurement Network
Initiated and co-ordinated by ICLEI since 2003, Procura+ is a network of European public authorities and regions that connect, exchange and act on sustainable and innovation procurement. The network comprises 44 public authority participants, 7 strategic partners and a regional network, impacting on 43 million citizens in 14 countries.
European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform
The European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform is a joint initiative by the European Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee. The platform brings together stakeholders active in the broad field of the circular economy in Europe, with the aim of providing a meeting place for stakeholders to share and scale up effective solutions and address specific challenges. The Platform also bridges existing initiatives at local, regional and national level, and supports the implementation of the circular economy. ICLEI is a member of the platform's Coordination Group.
Energy & climate
Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy
ICLEI is part of the Founders Council of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy. The Founders Council, with its subsidiary technical working groups, will ensure that the Global Covenant of Mayors continues to serve, and be supported by, this important constituency and, above all, the cities and local authorities they represent worldwide.
European Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy
Based on a Memorandum of Understanding with DG ENERGY, ICLEI Europe is an active Supporter of the European Covenant. It engages in representation and advocacy, and offers strategic and practical support to cities and towns, as well as to other Supporters and Coordinators of the Covenant of Mayors.
Urban Water Agenda 2030
ICLEI is collaborating with EUROCITIES to establish the Urban Water Agenda 2030, which acknowledges the essential role of cities in water resources management. The initiative encourages and enables local governments and their water utilities to take voluntary action that complements Member States' efforts to meet EU water policy.
Trans-disciplinary Advisory Board of JPI-Climate
ICLEI Europe has a representative on the Trans-disciplinary Advisory Board of JPI-Climate, the European platform that coordinates large-scale European efforts in research, innovation and governance (mitigation and adaptation).