Cities should tackle climate change to stay competitive - Milan, 9-10 October

www.oecd.org/gov/urbandevelopment/milanconference.

2/10/2008 - Cities are a major source of air pollution and must lead efforts to combat climate change. Mayors and ministers will meet in Milan to discuss ways to promote environmentally sound transport, energy, waste and water services, while retaining economic competitiveness.

OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría, who will lead the discussions, warns that “Improvements in urban design, housing stock, traffic congestion and accessibility, and waste management are crucial components of a strategy to combat global warming. If cities fail to deal effectively with environmental challenges, our planet is in serious trouble.”

Participants will meet on 9-10 October at the Istituto per gli Studi di Politica Internazionale, Via Clerici 5, Milan for this conference organised by OECD and hosted by the City and the Province of Milan. 

They will study the costs and benefits of reducing climate change and the efforts needed by all levels of government, as well as civil society, to build consensus around policies to ensure that cities are environmentally sustainable and economically competitive.

The conference is open to the media. To register please contact Valeria Bottelli (+39 3355941252 – valeria@gruppobandello.it).