European and US Cities Sign Stockholm Appeal Urging World Cooperation at COP15

STOCKHOLM, November 4/PRNewswire/ --     The mayors of the largest cities in Europe and the United States have

co-authored a mutual appeal, 'The Stockholm Appeal on Climate Change'. The

appeal manifests the signatories' desire for the COP15 meeting in Copenhagen

to result in an international climate change agreement.

    The Mayor of Stockholm, Sten Nordin, initiated the cooperation between

the mayors, represented by EUROCITIES and the United States Conference of

Mayors (USCM). The appeal complements the ambitions of the Swedish

government, which is currently holding the Presidency of the European Union.

    The Stockholm Appeal provides a powerful statement of intent to the

national governments in the run-up to COP15. By stating the cities' mutual

climate protection and sustainability aspirations, the appeal aspires to

serve as further incentive for the heads of state at COP15 to reach an

agreement.

    "We know it is possible to combine economic growth with strong

environmental measures. Our cities are putting into practice many innovative

and effective strategies to protect the environment. With our strength,

knowledge, experience and successes at the local level, the local governments

of our cities play a crucial role in climate protection. Our citizens and

cities will help implement the agreement signed by government officials at

COP15," says Sten Nordin, Mayor of Stockholm.

    The Stockholm Appeal will be officially presented on 27 November at the

EUROCITIES 2009 Stockholm conference. The appeal will be handed over by Sten

Nordin, the Mayor of Stockholm, and representatives of the Presidency of

EUROCITIES and the Presidency of the USCM, to representatives of the Swedish

Presidency of the European Union and the Obama Administration.

    "With the Stockholm Appeal on Climate Change, we urge the decision-makers

at COP15 to sign the agreement in December, and to use this opportunity for

real change. We need the legislation and economic means to put your words

into action," says Sten Nordin, Mayor of Stockholm.

    "The battle against climate change will be won or lost in the

cities of Europe, where 80 percent of European citizens live. City

governments are best placed to find local solutions to this global challenge.

Not only are cities leading by example but they are also closest to the

citizens and businesses that need to use our planet's resources more

efficiently," says Jozias von Aartsen, Mayor of The Hague and President of

EUROCITIES.

    "U.S. mayors proudly stand with our European counterparts in asking

international recognition of the role of local leaders in climate protection.

At the forefront of creative strategies, U.S. mayors have forced our national

government to act to combat climate change. To date, one thousand mayors have

signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, pledging to meet or beat

Kyoto goals. Mayoral leadership is a major impetus in climate protection,"

says Greg Nickels, Mayor of Seattle and President of USCM.

    The appeal refers to the EUROCITIES Declaration on Climate Change, the

USCM Climate Protection Agreement and the Local Government Climate Roadmap,

expressing the common position of networks of local authorities from all

continents.

    More about EUROCITIES work on climate change:

    http://www.eurocities.eu/include/lib/sql_news_card.php?newsID=1430

    More about the US Conference of Mayors' Climate Protection Agreement:

    http://www.usmayors.org/climateprotection/agreement.htm

    The City of Stockholm

    Stockholm is a city of research and innovations and one of Europe's most

dynamic regions. With continual high growth and world-leading clusters within

life science and ICT, Stockholm is also a center for fashion and design.

Stockholm has a consistent record of achieving high environmental standards,

and is committed to environmental improvement and sustainable development.

Stockholm has been designated European Green Capital 2010. For more

information see: http://international.stockholm.se

    EUROCITIES

    EUROCITIES is a network of major European cities. Founded in 1986, the

network brings together the local governments of more than 140 large cities

in over 30 European countries. For more information see:

http://www.eurocities.eu/

    The United States Conference of Mayors

    The U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) is the official nonpartisan

organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are 1,201

such cities in the country today. Each city is represented in the Conference

by its chief elected official, the mayor. For more information see:

http://usmayors.org/

    Images:

    Stockholm images:

http://international.stockholm.se/Press-and-media/Pictures-of-the-City-Hall/

    Sten Nordin, Mayor of Stockholm:

    http://www.moderaterna.net/sten/press/pressbilder/

Source: City of Stockholm, EUROCITIES, and United States Conference of Mayors

For more information on the Stockholm Appeal: Helena Widegren, press officer, The Mayor of Stockholm Sten Nordin, Tel: +46(0)76-122-98-78, Email: helena.widegren@stadshuset.stockholm.se; Roisin Hughes, information officer, EUROCITIES, Tel: +32(0)2-552-0886, Email: roisin.hughes@eurocities.eu; Elena Temple, press officer, United States Conference of Mayors, Tel: +1(0)202-861-67-19, Email: etemple@usmayors.org