Figueras offers IMAGINE as a support to local governments

Richard Elelman, the Deputy Mayor of Figueres (SP) represented Energie-Cités at the European Summit of Local Governments held at the World Trade Center in Barcelona at the end of February.

Elelman speaking to an audience of European municipal politicians and technical experts talked of the twenty years of experience that Energie-Cités represents in the promotion of a ’low energy - high quality way of life’ and went on to explain the importance of the IMAGINE project which is the essence of the need for local authorities to work at territorial level hand in hand with the private sector, academic institutions and national and international institutions.

Reiterating the importance of the city in the creation and implementation of effective energy policies, Elelman made a call for concrete action and the development of a vision that goes far beyond the objectives outlined by the Covenant of Mayors.

"IMAGINE is a project designed to link different decision-making levels and to, above all, involve local participants and citizens using creative methods in order to spread the message of the IMAGINE memorandum through a series of local events."

Reflecting the consensus which has been evolved at annual meetings held near Besançon, the representative of Energie-Cites whilst applauding the Covenant of Mayors spoke of the need for further ambitious and far-reaching action. A long term vision and a high degree of participation at all levels is essential if we are to achieve a high quality, low energy lifestyle for everybody within a generation.

Elelman offered IMAGINE as a support to local governments who wished to commence such a process. Finally, speaking as a local politician in Spain he made a call for better local financing so that these authorities would have the means of ensuring the correct implementation of environmental and effective energy policies.

Know more about the IMAGINE initiative