The Worldwatch Institute will release State of the World 2016: Can A City Be Sustainable, the latest edition of its signature book series. The report discusses how can we make our cities better places to live, both for us and the planet.

Where: Norden Hus, Sturlugata 5 - 101 Reykjavík
When: May 23, 2016, 14.00-17.00

14.00 - 14.05 - Welcome Address
14.05 - 14.15 -Presentation of the annual State of the World 2016: Can A City Be Sustainable? by Stephanie Loveless, Worldwatch Institute Europe
14:15 - 14.30 - Acceleration of Urban Transition to low carbon in EU - Peter Vangsbo, Climate-Kic Nordic
14.30 - 14.45 How to design sustainable cities -Ólöf Örvarsdóttir, Head of Department of Environment and Planning, City of Reykjavík
14.45 - 15.00 Can Business Be Sustainable - Ketill Magnússon, FESTA, Managing Director
15.00 - 15.15 Panel discussion Auður H. Ingólfsdóttir, Birföst University, Assistant Professor
15.15 - 15.30 Tea and Coffee Break
15.30 - 15.45 Inclusive Urban Planning in the Nordic Region - trends and examples , presented by Liisa Perjo, Nordegio
15.45 - 16.00 Nordic Built Cities by the case of Kópavogur - Árni Geirsson, Alta, Advisor
16.15 – 16.30 Urban Innovation in Reykjavik, Þorsteinn R. Hermannsson, Director of Transportation, City of Reykjavík
16.30 – 16.45 Panel discussion led by Kristín Linda Árnadóttir, Head of the Environment Agency 
15.50 – 16.00 Wrap up and final salute

Please sign up by May 16.
Seminar is free but registration is required.
The seminar is held in English.

RSVP, contact: Event Co-ordinator, Stephanie Loveless, sloveless@worldwatch-europe.org, tel.: +45 5282 9391

More info from Worldwatch Europe.

Can a City be Sustainable?
The growth of the city demands our attention. How can we make our cities better places to live, both for us and the planet, when cities are expanding at such a phenomenal rate in many parts of the world? Every city faces different challenges so when it comes to “defining a sustainable city” there will be no one size fits all. There are of course underlying principles that support good, sustainable urbanism – firstly, good city governance, powerful city leaders who know their region and can respond quickly as issues arise. And secondly, citizen engagement is required to create and maintain smart, sustainable cities - smart cities and sustainable solutions should start and finish with the citizens.
 
SOW 2016
The title of the State of World 2016 is ‘Can a City be Sustainable?’ This year’s publication delves into the mobilization of cities around the world to achieve sustainability. The SOW 2016 explores the challenges and innovative approaches across multiple dimensions of sustainability at the city level including economic, environmental and social – and how they contribute to shared prosperity. From 12 specific case studies, the SOW 2016 explores the significant challenges and trade-offs that policy makers face in ensuring that these gains are socially inclusive, encompass resilience, and that they are achieved in an environmentally sustainable manner.

These diverse efforts are the subject of the latest volume in the Worldwatch Institute’s highly regarded State of the World series. The 2016 edition, marks the Institute’s 42nd anniversary. 
 
About State of the World
Worldwatch's flagship publication, State of the World, has educated a broad audience of students, journalists, policymakers, and concerned citizens about trends in sustainable development for a quarter century. The book has been published in 36 languages, and over the years it has authoritatively assessed issues ranging from population, energy, and agriculture to materials use, health, and trade policy. Topics are covered from a global perspective, with an emphasis on innovation and problem solving. State of the World is recognized as a classic of environmental literature, having attracted luminaries from Kofi Annan to Mikhail Gorbachev to write forewords for the book. News media, policymakers, and NGOs worldwide cite the book for its cutting-edge analysis, reliability, and careful documentation of its arguments, all marshaled to speed the global transition to a sustainable world.

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About Worldwatch Institute
Worldwatch is an independent research organization based in Washington, D.C., that works on energy, resource, and environmental issues. The Institute's State of the World report is published annually in more than a dozen languages. For more information, visit www.worldwatch.org.
 
About Worldwatch Institute Europe
Worldwatch Institute Europe is in affiliation with Worldwatch Institute in Washington D.C. and we coordinate our activities with the Institute’s global priorities and operations. For more information, visit www.worldwatch-europe.org

More info from Worldwatch Europe.