Local Government Websites for Renewable Energy
Many local governments that are actively involved in implementing their renewable energy goals have websites dedicated to explaining their activities, and divulging the process to their citizens, and other cities and governments. Below, a number of these cities are listed.
Betim, Brazil
Betim has installed extensive solar thermal in poorer city districts. Currently, it is integrating biofuel into the public transport system and the municipal fleet. Click here to read about renewable energy in Betim.
Bhubaneswar, India
The first city in India to adopt a city level energy policy to promote conservation of energy and energy efficiency, this city is committed to reducing its emissions and promoting the use of renewable energy. Click here to read about Bhubaneswar's renewable energy policies.
Bonn, Germany
The former federal capital of Germany and a key United Nations city, Bonn's role in the Local Renewables Model Communities Network project is to provide expertise in the engagement of stakeholders and provide links to its extensive international network of contacts.
Bristol, United Kingdom
Bristol City Council’s Energy Management Unit oversees the city’s energy plans, and this website outlines the aims and steps the EMU is taking. The EMU’s Renewables Reference: Sustainable energy planning reference that guides viewers to various documents on the subject of renewable energy, found here.
Cape Town, South Africa
The second most populous city in South Africa, Cape Town's energy policy aims to have 10% of its homes supplied with solar hot water by 2010 and 10% of its energy supplied by renewable sources by the year 2020.
Coimbatore, India
A prime participant in Local Renewables and Cities for Climate Protection Project in ICLEI, it was selected for implementing the “Urban Climate Project - Building Clean and Efficient Cities” by ICLEI and the Indian Institute of Urban Affairs. Click here to read about their work in renewable energy.
Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
World renowned as the solar hub of Europe, this green city aims to generate 10% of its electricity from renewables and improve energy efficiency by 10% by 2010. With an ambitious climate policy, the city aims to reduce its CO2 to 40% by 2030. Freiburg is a Resource Community in the Local Renewables Initiative. Click here to visit Freiburg's green energy website.
London, United Kingdom
The City of London, UK has a page dedicated to sharing information on the Mayor's energy policy. Click here to read more about this.
Malmö, Sweden
By 2020, the City of Malmö will be climate neutral and by 2030 the whole municipality will run on 100% renewable energy. Energy plans include solar, wind, water and biogas energy production. Click here to visit their website and read about their ambitious plan.
Milan, Italy
The city of Milan aims to reduce its CO2 emissions to 20% by 2020 by improving energy efficiency, promoting the use of public and environmental friendly transport, creating new green areas, installing photovoltaic systems and promoting the use renewal energy. Click here to visit the official website of the city of Milano, which is available in Italian.
Nagpur, India
The first International Workshop on Local Renewables Model Communities took place in Nagpur in 2008. Click here to read about the state of renewable energy in Nagpur.
Nottingham, United Kingdom
Nottingham City Council outlines the ways businesses can receive grants for installing renewable energy equipment. Click here to visit their website.
Porto Alegre, Brazil
A key large city to the relatively high energy consuming southern Brazil, the newest Model Community to join the network is currently exploring renewable energy policy options and preparing the set-up of their resource centre. Click here for the official website of Porto Alegre, which is available in Portuguese.
Växjö, Sweden
A world destination for those seeking to learn about climate action, Växjö committed to becoming a fossil fuel-free city in 1996. In 2006, 52% of all energy came from renewables. The city was dubbed 'Europe's greenest' by The Independent in 2007. Växjö offers technical visits and study tours of many kinds, and information on the city can be viewed here.
Woking, United Kingdom
The city of Woking has produced a concise introduction to its renewable energy policies as well as numerous other documents regarding sustainable energy. Woking was awarded Beacon Council status for Sustainable Energy back in 2005. Visit Woking's city website on sustainability here.
