Pierre Laconte
New kinds of multilevel challenges and opportunities arise from the effects of climate change, the energy and resources crunch, and the loss of biodiversity. These challenges affect citizens and decision makers at international, regional, national and local level. All planning related decision makers and professions have a proactive role to play in developing practices at each spatial level.
The publication discusses this processes on three levels: at world level, at the level of the European Union and at city and regional level.
PART I
The planetary framework of climate change and related energy policies
1. From world-wide awareness to attempted regulatory action - key dates
2. Copenhagen COP15 : aftermath and perspectives
3. 2010: Year of Biodiversity
PART II
The European Union's pioneering policy responses to climate change and related issues -
an experience of consequence to other world regions and the developing world
1. The European Union - a reminder of how it works
2. The EU's climate and energy related policies
3. European coastal protection strategies
PART III
Sustainable city/regions - challenges and practices
1. The challenge of Megalopolis/Ecumenopolis
2. Climate change and fossil energy shortage - cities as part of the response
3. "Best practice" in sustainable cities worldwide
Conclusion
References
Abbreviations