CONCERTO Final Forum & SMART CITIES

The Final Forum of the CONCERTO initiative of the European Commission took place the 6th and 7th December 2010. Lessons learnt of the last decade as well as the next step after Concerto were crucial themes during the forum. The experiences of CONCERTO highlight for example the benefits due to participation in networks and political support. To achieve sustainable energy goals the Covenant of Mayors is a helpful initiative providing visibility and support to signatory cities. As the MEPs Claude Turmes said during the Final Forum, the Covenant of Mayors is essential to foster local sustainable energy policies, the initiative "should be strengthened and have an outreach as wide as possible".

Another instrument to develop a structured cooperation between the European and local level is the Smart Cities Initiative of the European Commission. This initiative considered as next step after CONCERTO is focused on the sustainability issues of the cities and, more specifically, on their energy systems. Consequent radical reductions of primary fossil forms of energy and of CO2 emissions should be achieved by investments in energy efficiency and local renewable energy. Due to uncertain financial framework, Mr. Turmes launched a strong call during the Final Forum: "We get organised or we will lose". For this reason Cities, regions, Members of the European Parliament and companies supplying innovative energy technologies should build a strong coalition and cooperate to jointly lobby for Smart Cities. For this purpose it is necessary to identify what are the needs at the local level, how financial support could be helpful and in which way the Smart cities initiative could be organised.

The presentations held at the conference can be found on the CONCERTO website, please refer to here

The web streaming material can be viewed in the CONCERTO video gallery at http://www.concertoplus.eu/video/videos