First US-European Conference of Metropolitan Regional Councils International Conference on Climate Change Sharing Knowledge – Developing Joint Action April 9-12, 2008

New Connections – Stimulating Dialogue First meeting between U.S. and European regional councils 170 policymakers from over 40 U.S. and European regional councils

New Connections – Stimulating Dialogue Shared and exchanged innovative regional climate and energy programs “Declaration of Cooperation” introduced new era of formal learning and information exchange on climate and energy between U.S. and Europe

Feedback “I found it stimulating and I sensed a real need to share, at our regional level, experience and knowledge…I enjoyed the ‘openness’ and honesty of American colleagues, although I do think that you underplay your achievements in this field. Many are innovative and exciting. There is much, positive and negative, that we can learn from the US…” - Glasgow

Feedback “I had reluctantly planned to fly home Thursday evening due to significant conflicts but after I got there and saw what was going on I stayed until Saturday morning. Looking forward to more opportunities to be plugged into the network you have built over the last several years.” - Sacramento “It was one of the best conferences I ever attended.” - Atlanta

Dynamic Speakers Point Out Potential Neal Peirce Ambassador John Bruton Congressman James Oberstar

Neal Peirce Syndicated Columnist, Washington Post Writers Group International authority on metropolitan regions and trans- Atlantic relation Affirmed that metropolitan regions are the key to addressing economic development and climate change on both continents –“Climate is the most globally binding issue in world history” - Peirce, during his keynote speech

Ambassador John Bruton Head of EU Delegation to U.S. Former Prime Minister of Ireland Transatlantic economic relationship is the most vigorous in the world with profound implications for sub- national/regional actors – “This global problem will be solved locally”—Bruton during his keynote speech

Congressman James Oberstar Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure The science of global climate change is indisputable – temperatures are rising due to anthropogenic activities U.S. Regional Metropolitan Planning Organizations need to be the direct recipients of federal transportation funds There is much to learn from Europe in all matters of regional transportation planning

Session Highlights Advancing Economic Development Innovative Transportation Regional Climate Action Plans Climate Change and Water Management Greenhouse Gas Inventories

Advancing Economic Development –Many European regions have integrated climate change and regional economic development activities. Germany will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 21 percent (against 1990 levels), but its energy consumption per dollar of GDP is 50 percent that of the United States! –In Germany, the renewable energy sector employs over 215,000 people. If growth trends continue, by 2020, renewable energy will employ over 500,000.

Innovative Transportation Planning –Sacramento Blueprint Project –Stockholm Congestion Pricing

Regional Climate Action Plans –Helsinki has linked climate, economic development and regional transportation planning. 62 percent of all trips in Helsinki are on public transportation. –The Washington D.C. region emits 65.6 million metric tons for a population of 4.9 million. The entire country of Finland emits 57.0 tons and its population is 5.2 million –By 2050, the Paris region plans to meet 1/3 of its energy demands through renewable energy

Climate Change and Water Management –Atlanta Prepares 30 year Water Plan –Rotterdam has innovative integrated vision

Greenhouse Gas Inventories –Many U.S. regions have challenges developing accurate greenhouse gas inventories at regional level (individual inventory efforts are sometimes disparate) –EU Regional Greenhouse Gas Inventory Program (GRIP) has been developed to establish inventories in 23 EU regions and seeks to inform stakeholders about practical policy alternatives –GRIP could potentially be applied for the Metropolitan Washington region and Northern Virginia

Next Steps – Actionable Plans Declaration of Cooperation sets stage for regional strategies, international sharing of best practices, cooperative activities and educational and technical exchanges, including: –Potentially beta-testing GRIP in North America; –Developing “community energy and plans” informed by METREX best practices for local authorities in northern Virginia; –Expand exchanges between Northern Virginia regional business, technical and political leaders and EU counterparts in Stuttgart and Hamburg – June 2008; –Explore concept of “solar region Northern Virginia”; –NVRC Executive Director to speak at National Association of Regional Councils and Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions; –Discuss long-term cooperation – specifically the “Transatlantic civil dialogues EU-USA,” and GRIP project in London, October 2008.

Solar Energy Germany (at left – not to scale) is the world’s largest solar market, despite solar resources significantly poorer than the United States. A solar panel in Ohio will produce 20 – 25% more energy than the exact same panel in Germany. (solar maps – National Renewable Energy Laboratory, European Commission)