The Workshop

The Emerging Leaders in Environmental and Energy Policy Network (ELEEP) hosted a half-day workshop for a transatlantic exchange on issues faced by urban planners and city leaders in the EU and the US.

ELEEP is a collaborative initiative of the Atlantic Council and Ecologic Institute. It is a first-of-its-kind social network for American and European leaders in environmental and energy policy to exchange lessons and best practices. ELEEP is financially sponsored by the European Union and the Robert Bosch Foundation. To learn more about ELEEP, see here.

Urban populations have been swelling for decades, and now over half of the human population lives in cities. This trend seems certain to continue, and it has serious implications for energy usage, transportation systems, climate change and a host of other issues. Regions face different challenges when approaching these issues. In the US and Europe, one of the biggest challenges is figuring out how to make cities more sustainable, improve livability, provide jobs, and respond to citizens’ needs.

The Post-Carbon Cities workshop highlighted how leading cities in the EU and US are forging ahead in creating a post-carbon future for its citizens. This discussion was drawn from the POCACITO research project sponsored by the European Union. ELEEP Members highlighted policy recommendations from a recent study tour to Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington on how cities are using transportation planning to reimagine urban development. Dr. Peter Engelke, Senior Fellow, Strategic Foresight Initiative at the Atlantic Council, provided welcoming remarks. Prof. Anthony Bigio from The George Washington University, lead author IPCC 5th Assessment Report,  provided a keynote address to frame the day’s discussion. Dale Medearis, Senior Environmental Planner for the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, discussed ongoing work in Arlington County and Northern Virginia on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy use while improving livability.

For more information on the event, see here.

Date

4 March 2014

Time

8:30 am - 11 am

Venue

Atlantic Council
1030 15th St., NW, 12th Floor
Washington, DC 20005