1. Aberdeen’s Baseline Review Aberdeen’s Baseline Review 5th European Conference on Sustainable Cities and Towns Seville 2007 21-24 March 2007 Jan Falconer, Strategist Sustainable Development

2. Local Government towards Sustainability - A Scottish Experience Aberdeen’s Baseline Review About the City Background Process in a Change environment Performing a review Negotiation to Publication Lessons learned Next Steps

3. About the City A Place of history - ‘Act local think global’ Patrick Geddes The knowledge capital of Scotland The Oil & Gas capital of Europe 2nd most competitive place to do business in Britain Winner of Scotland and Britain in Bloom A great place to live, work and enjoy life

4. Background 9th April 1996 signed the Aalborg Charter 1999 aberdeenfutures the City Community Plan –Social Inclusion –Prosperity & Jobs –Sustainable Development Success with Green City Fun Day Implementation of Sustainable Procurement Signed the Aalborg Commitments June 2004

5. Process in a Change environment Change and modernisation in late 2005-2006 New staff New processes Green City Fun Day now EcoCity New statutory requirements Joint working Measuring ecological footprint

6. Performing a review Prepared a plan –Initially taking an academic approach –Reality checks –Best Value audit to check validity Review Take Stock Be prepared to change the plan

7. Scoring system

8. Performing a review Scoring system –transparency –opportunity for debate Continue to review Network support UK, SSN Keep everyone informed –internally and externally

9. Negotiation to Publication The Aalborg Baseline Review a critical step Can be contentious Many plans put no actions Some actions and no plans Officer Debate before taken to Council Important to have everyone aware of the process The Baseline informs the critical steps to community engagement To be clear of what is a Baseline and what it isn’t!

10. Lessons Learned Fortunate to have Corporate and Council leadership Build on existing strengths Gather all available data and vigorously test it Make certain everyone understands the purpose of the baseline Report regularly Ensure that there are no surprises Keep it simple

11. Next Steps Use the baseline to set targets for the Sustainable Development Strategy by 30 June 2007 Incorporate Statutory Measures Undertaking Procurement Transformation Focus on Sustainable Construction and providing a Code Updating Carbon Management Targets Aim for Excellence and collaboration