(17 June 2013) – “Europe in transition: Local communities leading the way to a low-carbon society” is the title of a new publication by AEIDL, which explores the recent growth in Europe of community-led action on climate change.
In cities, towns, villages and rural areas across Europe, small groups of people are coming together, meeting in living rooms, cafés and community centres, to develop and implement practical, local initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the dependence on fossil fuels, and to strengthen the resilience and sustainability of their communities.
The publication tracks the development of this movement and profiles activities across 13 EU countries, from Transition initiatives in Leicester, to ecovillages in Ireland and Germany, community energy projects in Denmark and community supported agriculture in France. It also examines the networks, both national and international, that have developed to support these local projects and identifies the need for, and benefits of, further support and coordination at European level.
In this context, AEIDL is currently facilitating a discussion with partners from across Europe on the establishment a European network, ECOLISE, to support local, community-based action on climate change. A first meeting of stakeholder representatives took place in Brussels on the 13-14 June and further developments are expected in the coming months.