Green encounters and hopes in New York

by Miriam Eisermann on 12 November 2008 / 447 visites

The victory of Barack Obama has been impatiently awaited by those Americans committed to a more ecological economy, a sustainable energy policy and better climate protection. Gérard Magnin, executive director of Energie-Cités, has had the opportunity to sense this excitement during a trip to New York from 20 to 25 October.

Invited by the Columbia University, he presented the experience of European cities at several occasions (see documents below). Mr. Magnin has also met the energy efficiency team of NY City whose actions are part of the city’s strategic plan “PlaNYC2030 - A Greener, Greater NY », published in April 2007.

During his visit, he could discover that the civil society is very much mobilized

for a greener city, such as the Sallan Foundation, established after 9/11 or
for the creation of jobs in the field of energy savings such as the NGO “Urban Agenda” with the initiative "Apollo Alliance Urban Habitat" developing a "Vision for a green economy and equitable development".

With Obama, the post-Kyoto negotiations will be given new wind: we are looking forward to the results of December’s UN climate summit in Poznan, Poland. Read here how the Climate Group predicts the actions of Obama’s new administration at this summit.

Click here for information on the Poznan Local Government Climate Sessions that all Energie-Cités members are more than welcome to join!