There is no more important challenge facing the global community today than the protection of the planet and its natural resources. Simply put, all human beings need to learn how to inhabit this planet in a safe and sustainable way. Hurricane Katrina, Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth, and the stark erosion of the Artic icecap have combined to illustrate the dangers, while the Stern Review, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and a parade of high-level conferences have reflected a growing political awareness. Through the confluence of these and other events, climate change has become the central, defining issue of the 21st century. But, while international mechanisms are very important, it has become clear that waiting for comprehensive international agreements to enter into force is not enough.

Fortunately, local and regional authorities in several parts of the world have not waited. Many of them have developed strategies focusing on renewable energy and energy efficiency, which are already beginning to have measurable effects in mitigating climate change. These strategies, relying on local resources and local know-how, place sustainable energy and ecological innovation at the heart of economic development, and in many cases have achieved large-scale reductions in energy consumption and carbon emissions over a relatively short period of time. Besides offering significant benefits to local communities, local and regional actions plans have also begun to influence national government policies. As a component of the Salzburg Global Seminar's Eco-Innovation Initiative, this session will seek to support these critical strategies by helping regions in different parts of the world to learn from each other, and by developing a framework for global cooperation in the areas of renewable energy and improved energy efficiency. Working with expert renewable energy agencies, eco-businesses, and local and regional governments, the session will also aim to develop a process for extending workable ideas and sustainable strategies to regions and localities around the world that need support and expertise to help them adopt more sustainable practices.

The fee for this session is 3,300 EURO. The fee covers the cost of the program, accommodations, and meals.

Limited scholarship funding may be available for those who are unable to pay the full fee (i.e. from developing countries or NGOs). Participants seeking scholarship assistance must submit an application for financial aid to our admissions office.