Cllr James McKay, Birmingham City Council Cabinet Member for Green, Safe and Smart City, has been appointed as Chair of the Eurocities Environment Forum.
The appointment means that Cllr McKay is effectively the spokesperson on behalf of European cities on environmental matters and is recognition of Birmingham’s strong commitment to sustainability and environmental growth.
Comprising over 90 cities, the Eurocities Environment Forum works to bring about a better environment and work towards achieving sustainable development, by sharing knowledge and expertise. The Forum is working closely with the European Commission and European Environment Agency on the development of new policies and actions leading up to 2020. As cities produce nearly 80% of greenhouse gas emissions it is vital that their voice is heard at European and national government levels
Cllr McKay said: "The Forum's priorities over the next 12 months, include green growth, air quality and health, and climate adaptation and mitigation, and I am looking forward to working with colleagues on these issues which are so important to us in Birmingham as well."
Cllr McKay accepted the role of Chair at the Eurocities Annual Meeting held in Nantes today and chairs his first meeting of the Forum in Nuremberg on the 13 to 15 March next year.
(CD/GK)