14th European Forum on Eco-Innovation Webpage Header (European Commission)

Clean air is essential both to our own health and that of the environment. Since the industrial revolution, however, the quality of the air we breathe has deteriorated considerably as a direct result of human activities. Rising industrial and energy production, the burning of fossil fuels and of biomass, and the dramatic rise in traffic on our roads, all contribute to air pollution in our towns and cities. In the past few decades, our response has been to put in place substantial efforts to reduce air pollution, but more remains to be done. The Year of Air Air pollution is the number-one environment-related health risk in Europe, being the cause of many health effects ranging from lung conditions, such as asthma, to premature deaths: ten times more Europeans die each year from air pollution-related causes than from road accidents. With 68% of EU citizens living in an urban environment, the issue of air quality is a major concern for many Europeans. Too many people are exposed to dangerous levels of hazardous substances as cities fail to meet existing health-based environmental standards. Piecemeal initiatives like car-free days are increasing in number but their impact is clearly below what is required. There is a need for a more comprehensive approach that encourages local authorities to move towards a substantial change in urban policies. Environment Commissioner Potočnik has declared 2013 The Year of Air in order to draw greater attention to the issue of local, national and European authorities and to stimulate more efficient efforts towards improved air quality. In this context the European Commission has launched a comprehensive review of EU air policy and has turned to innovation as a key mechanism to address the challenges we face. Smart Cities and Communities One of the greatest challenges facing Europe is how best to design and adapt cities as more sustainable environments. Smart innovative solutions for cleaner air already exist. It is often their widespread adoption that needs to be encouraged. In this context, in July 2012 the Commission launched a European Innovation Partnership (EIP) for Smart Cities and Communities. One aspect of the EIP is dedicated to demonstrating commercial-scale solutions in a small number of locations, in order to support cities and communities meet their commitments in the fields of transport, energy, air quality and climate change mitigation. EIPs are designed to mobilise actors across the innovation cycle and across sectors to speed up the up-take of innovative solutions to target societal challenges, including major energy and transport challenges in cities and communities. Smart urban technologies can provide an important contribution to the sustainable development of European cities. The Smart Cities and Communities EIP aims to catalyse progress in areas where energy production, distribution and use; mobility and transport; and information and communication technologies (ICT) are closely linked. It will offer new interdisciplinary opportunities to improve services while reducing energy and resource consumption as well as greenhouse gas and other polluting emissions. The 14th European Forum on Eco-innovation provides an opportunity for participants from across Europe to inform the Smart Cities and Communities European Innovation Partnership with key messages and recommendations for action. The Forum will explore how we overcome barriers to achieving cleaner air in our cities by presenting: the latest evidence on urban air quality and why it has assumed a high political priority examples of effective urban strategic planning innovative solutions harnessing change in mindsets innovative solutions to financing urban infrastructure programmes. partnerships and networks with citizens that create a better quality of urban living A specific session will be devoted to generating innovative ideas to solve real issues facing Czech cities. If you want to discover how cities are succeeding in turning into sustainable environments, if you want to make your innovator’s voice heard in Europe, come to Prague in May and participate to the 14th EcoAp forum! Admission for the forum is free but upon registration only. If you are interested to participate please request an invitation online, you will receive an answer within a week.

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