IESD works with the local authority in Figueres to help them to become one of Europe's low energy cities

(02/07/2010)

A city in the northeast of Catalonia is hoping to become low energy with help from sustainability specialists in Leicester. Experts from De Montfort University’s (DMU) Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development (IESD) are working with the local authority in Figueres, helping them to become one of Europe’s low energy cities.

The institute is taking up the role of training partner for the city in the area of energy and sustainability and hopes to help it achieve its vision of boosting local development through capitalising on a low carbon economy.

Staff from the IESD deliver short courses, as well as providing masters and PhD opportunities for people across Europe working in local authority energy and environmental sectors and businesses working in sustainable development. The city will also be acting as the location for a series of research projects concerned with energy efficiency and climate change.

IESD and Figueres are also working with ‘Energy-Cities’, the association of European local authorities, which promotes local sustainable energy policies; and are taking part in the IMAGINE programme, which aims to encourage local participation in creating low energy living.

The first event took place last month and was designed to promote the exchange of experience and ideas between the organisations involved. Representatives for the IESD also delivered a talk on how they can help public and private sectors achieve lower carbon emissions.

Professor Paul Fleming, Director of Sustainable Development at the IESD, said: “We having been working with ‘Energy-Cities’ for more than 20 years, encouraging cities across Europe to become more sustainable. It is a great opportunity for us to be able to work with Figueres and we hope that by providing the city with specialised training and research, we can help them to become a low energy city.”

Richard Elelman, Councillor of the Environment for the city of Figueres, said: “Figueres is a city that has an ambitious long-term project which requires the collaboration of the very best experts and we are convinced that our relationship with De Montfort will be of enormous benefit to both parties. Figueres is determined to be an example of a sustainable, low energy, high quality community and the IESD forms an essential part of our plan."

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