Feb. 14, 2008
In recognition of his commitment and leadership in efforts to deal with
global warming on a local level, County Executive Andy Spano has been appointed to the Board of Directors of
ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability U.SA. He will be the representative of the northeast region of the United States.
The American organization is an affiliate of ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, an international membership association of local governments dedicated to addressing environmental problems through local actions. It was founded in 1990, originally named the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives.
“ICLEI U.S. is the preeminent national organization of local governments working to combat climate change and promote sustainable development,” Spano said. “The people of Westchester County are working hard to do our share to address climate change. We have benefited greatly from our ICLEI U.S. membership, and I am honored to serve on its Board of Directors to help it continue its important work.”
Westchester County joined ICLEI in 2006, the same year the county executive appointed a Global Warming Task Force to prepare a countywide “Action Plan” to combat climate change. The action plan will be unveiled on Feb. 26.
Learn more about the county’s efforts to combat global warming.
Serving on the ICLEI board are local leaders from across the country, including mayors and county executives representing each region of the country. The board will help drive ICLEI strategy. There are more than 70 participating local governments in the northeast region, including several Westchester communities, and 350 local governments nationwide. The group’s
membership has grown significantly in the last year.
ICLEI's flagship campaign is Cities for Climate Protection® (CCP). The program is designed to educate and empower local governments worldwide to take action on climate change. CCP is a performance-oriented campaign that offers a framework for local governments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve livability within their municipalities.
In addition to Spano, the new or reappointed members of the ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability U.SA., Inc. Board of Directors are:
- David Cadman, Corporate President and Board Chair ICLEI Global President City Councilor, Vancouver, BC Canada
- Konrad Otto-Zimmermann, Corporate Secretary General, ICLEI Toronto, Canada/Freiburg, Germany
- Margaret Pageler, Corporate Treasurer, former Councilmember, City of Seattle ICLEI Executive Committee Urban Sustainability Advisor, Seattle, Washington
- Jeb Brugmann, GlobalFounder, ICLEI Urban and Global Business Strategist
- Heather Fargo, Mayor, City of Sacramento, California
- Mark Begich, Mayor, City of Anchorage, Alaska
- Ron Sims, County Executive, King County, Washington
- Martin J. Chavez, Mayor, City of Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Patrick Hays, Mayor, City of North Little Rock, Arkansas
- Maryann Smith, Alderman, 48th Ward, Chicago, Illinois
- Harvey Ruvin, County Clerk, Miami-Dade County, Florida
