Results of the Baltic Cities Sustainable Development Survey 2006/2007

The aim of three phased assessment carried out by the Union of the Baltic Cities is to monitor the state of sustainable development in the UBC member cities and local authorities evaluating the success of the Action Programme. The first of assesment was carried out in the occasion of the start up of the UBC Agenda 21 Action Programme (2004/2005), the second is an interim one (2006/2007). The final assessment will be held in 2009/2010.

The new Survey 2006/2007 report presents the results and conclusions of the second assessment of the state of the art of sustainable development in the UBC member cities and local authorities.

According to the survey results, cities seem to be doing well on the policy level in the issues like: keeping the air quality, water management and good governance. However, the level of waste management is not satisfactory. There is still a lot to be done if we want to have a visible change at the end of the programme period. The most needed actions here are to start implementing EMSs, make use of resources more effective, set tangible targets for CO2 reduction and decuople the linkages between economy transport and sustainability.

Both of the surveys represent the five thematic areas of sustainable development in the cities, as defined in the UBC Action Programme. The chosen indicators are mostly based on the data that already exist in most UBC member cities.

The results of the first two assessments shows no negative trends. However, it remains clear that there is a need for stronger political commitment and action.