ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability

ICLEI — Local Governments for Sustainability is an international association of local governments as well as national and regional local government organizations that have made a commitment to sustainable development.

Over 1000 cities, towns, counties, and their associations worldwide comprise ICLEI's growing membership. ICLEI works with these and hundreds of other local governments through international performance-based, results-oriented campaigns and programs.

ICLEI provides technical consulting, training, and information services to build capacity, share knowledge, and support local government in the implementation of sustainable development at the local level. Our basic premise is that locally designed initiatives can provide an effective and cost-efficient way to achieve local, national, and global sustainability objectives.

Founded in 1990

ICLEI was founded in 1990 as the "International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives". The Council was established when more than 200 local governments from 43 countries convened at our inaugural conference, the World Congress of Local Governments for a Sustainable Future, at the United Nations in New York.

Official Name

The organization is now officially called "ICLEI — Local Governments for Sustainability". In 2003, ICLEI's Members voted to revise the organization's mission, charter, and name to better reflect the current challenges local governments are facing. The "International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives" became "ICLEI — Local Governments for Sustainability" with a broader mandate to address sustainability issues.