EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Guide on integrated environmental management for local governments

Guide on integrated environmental management for local governments

Introduction

European urban areas face a number of environmental challenges. Although the scale and intensity of the problems vary, a common set of issues can be identified. In order to help municipal authorities to improve environmental performance, the EU Commission has released a guide on integrated environmental management. The publication is aimed at Europe's local government and is based upon examples of best practice developed by towns and cities themselves.

Description

The guidance is not intended to be a rigid set of rules to be followed in all circumstances. There is so much diversity between cities across the EU that no one solution is applicable nor appropriate for all situations. The guidance should be seen more as a description of the process and a reminder of the key elements that could be considered when developing integrated environmental management programs at local levels.

The guide follows on from the publication by the EU Commission of the Thematic Strategy on the urban environment (2006). The Strategy described the problems facing many urban areas of the European Union and recognised the widely divergent circumstances of European cities. It did not propose uniform binding measures but instead pointed to other ways in which cities' problems could be tackled.

Source: Council of European Municipalities & Regions

Contact info

Council of European Municipalities & Regions
cemr@ccre.org

Publication date

12/11/2007

Links

Download the EU Commission guide on integrated environmental management (PDF, Eng, 335 KB)

Document type

policy

Themes

Urban Policy > Urban environment

Keywords

Environmental sustainability