ICLEI Europe’s network of local governments committed to sustainability continues to grow. The newest members are Maribor (Slovenia), and Cannes (France).
Maribor is located in north-east Slovenia, and is the country’s second-largest city. Maribor has committed to not only strengthening the circular economy locally, but also to pushing forth circular economy successes across Europe. The city was, for instance, a founding signatory to the European Circular Cities Declaration, which was designed to help accelerate the transition from a linear to a circular economy in Europe, and thereby create a resource-efficient, low-carbon and socially responsible society.
The coastal city of Cannes (France) is looking forward to sharing and building on their impressive work in the field of marine biodiversity protection. The city has already undertaken a wide variety of impressive actions in this field, which includes:
- the creation of underwater ecological sculptures, which form artificial reefs to serve as refuge for underwater flora and fauna;
- daily surface cleaning of the sea, and systematic cleaning of the seabed;
- the establishment of a 44-hectare zone, in which there is a total ban on anchoring, except for professional fishing vessels inside an ecological anchorage area;
- the installation of 75 fish nurseries in the Cannes ports since 2018 to support endangered species;
- the protection of endemic marine plants;
- the development of the most ecologically strict cruise charter in the Mediterranean;
- the launch of a campaign to deter passers-by from littering, in order to prevent waste from ending up in the water; and
- the launch of a “zero plastic plan”, which commits event organisers, restaurant owners, beach attendants, and more to eleminate the sale and provision of single-use plastic tableware.
The Mayor of Cannes explains, (translated from French):
“Since 2014, the Municipality of Cannes has been committed to proactive sustainable development and environmental protection policies, and, in particular, to the preservation of marine environments.
By joining ICLEI, the world’s largest network of local authorities dedicated to sustainable development, Cannes intends to strengthen this commitment and strategy.
Cannes will benefit from learning about initiatives that can be replicated in its territory, participating in the implementation of cross-border European- and privately-funded projects, connecting with private partners, and developing its actions through the global ICLEI network.
Finally, with the support of ICLEI, Cannes proposes hosting an event bringing together the Mediterranean cities that are ICLEI Members at its Palais des Festivals et des Congrès to reflect on common issues, and, in particular, to discuss the necessary establishment of a regulatory zone for pollutant emissions in the Mediterranean Sea.”
Source: ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, 3 December 2020