IEE/10/380/SI st International Workshop – Big changes start in small towns - June 21st Brussels Mr. Sandro Pelati – Councillor for Environment, Comune di Copparo, Italy We will save us and move on if we act together and not alone The experience of the Copparos Municipality on managing environment and energy issues.

IEE/10/380/SI st International Workshop – Big changes start in small towns - June 21st Brussels Mr. Sandro Pelati – Councillor for Environment, Comune di Copparo, Italy Before describing our experience I believe it is very important to know the territory from where I come from. The area we are talking about is on the north of Italy in a Region called Emilia Romagna and in the province of Ferrara. My town is called Copparo and has a surface of about 157 km2 and about inhabitants with a population density of about 100 inhabitants per km2. I will, present you also other 5 towns close to Copparo that are called: Ro, Berra, Jolanda di Savoia, Formignana e Tresigallo. Before describing our experience I believe it is very important to know the territory from where I come from. The area we are talking about is on the north of Italy in a Region called Emilia Romagna and in the province of Ferrara. My town is called Copparo and has a surface of about 157 km2 and about inhabitants with a population density of about 100 inhabitants per km2. I will, present you also other 5 towns close to Copparo that are called: Ro, Berra, Jolanda di Savoia, Formignana e Tresigallo.

IEE/10/380/SI st International Workshop – Big changes start in small towns - June 21st Brussels Mr. Sandro Pelati – Councillor for Environment, Comune di Copparo, Italy In these days, unfortunately, my region has become known for the dramatic events that have affected thousands of Emilian people. Since last May 20th in the Po Valley were recorded in 1800 earthquakes, including 7 above magnitude 5 and 26 between magnitude 4 and 5. I dedicate this day that is so important for my small town to those people affected by the earthquake, who have lost everything, hoping that things will soon return to normality and that they can soon find the strength to start over. In these days, unfortunately, my region has become known for the dramatic events that have affected thousands of Emilian people. Since last May 20th in the Po Valley were recorded in 1800 earthquakes, including 7 above magnitude 5 and 26 between magnitude 4 and 5. I dedicate this day that is so important for my small town to those people affected by the earthquake, who have lost everything, hoping that things will soon return to normality and that they can soon find the strength to start over.

IEE/10/380/SI st International Workshop – Big changes start in small towns - June 21st Brussels Mr. Sandro Pelati – Councillor for Environment, Comune di Copparo, Italy 2000 CONSTITUTION OF THE 6 MUNICIPALITIES ASSOCIATION 2001 ADHESION TO THE LOCAL AGENDA APPROUVAL OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN 2007 STARTING WORK OF THE ASSOCIATE PLAN OFFICE 2011 PLANNING CONFERENCE 2010 COSTITUTION OF THE LANDS AND RIVERS UNION 2010 ADHESION TO THE COVENANT OF MAYORS The Copparos way toward the Covenant of Mayors

IEE/10/380/SI st International Workshop – Big changes start in small towns - June 21st Brussels Mr. Sandro Pelati – Councillor for Environment, Comune di Copparo, Italy This chart summarizes the basic principles that guided the work done by the City of Copparo with the other 5 municipalities of the Land and Rivers Union during the last 12 years. In year 2000 the 6 municipalities begin to work together, in 2001 they center the environment on their projects, in , they study a strategy, from 2007 till now they plan their strategy, in 2010 they extend cooperation between the 6 municipalities founding the union and in 2010 Copparo joined the Covenant of Mayors. In 2011 Copparo presented his SEAP. A circle closes, starting from the strategies, through planning, reaching actions. ALWAYS with an essential component: the participation and sharing with citizens.

IEE/10/380/SI st International Workshop – Big changes start in small towns - June 21st Brussels Mr. Sandro Pelati – Councillor for Environment, Comune di Copparo, Italy The 6 issues of the strategic plan (2002), for a territory sparkling of water. Infrastructures and urban quality Environment Sustainabilit y Union of municipalitie s New territorial identity Research, training, employment widespread Welfare

IEE/10/380/SI st International Workshop – Big changes start in small towns - June 21st Brussels Mr. Sandro Pelati – Councillor for Environment, Comune di Copparo, Italy In 2009 Copparo won the first national prize in the methodology section for including among the planning tools the energy component. HOUSES INDUSTRIES ROADS ENERGY

IEE/10/380/SI st International Workshop – Big changes start in small towns - June 21st Brussels Mr. Sandro Pelati – Councillor for Environment, Comune di Copparo, Italy In 2011 my Mayor Nicola Rossi happily announced the realisation of our SEAP

IEE/10/380/SI st International Workshop – Big changes start in small towns - June 21st Brussels Mr. Sandro Pelati – Councillor for Environment, Comune di Copparo, Italy At the end of this presentation the message that I would like to leave you is that we cant do anything if we act alone and only joining our forces we can guarantee our success. Politicians have always to stand on the front line in ordet to LISTEN and talking with people and technicians have to plan and implement our communities sustainable development. The central thread must always be THE COMMON GOOD.