Within the framework of the “CAT-MED. – Changing Around Time” project, co-animed by the Institut de la Mediterranée, a Public Seminar about urban good practices to fight against the climate change is organized in Athens (Greece) on 24 September, 2009. Experts and metropolitan actors will animate three discussion sessions.

The cities, territories that are the mayor greenhouse gases transmitters of the Med space, show a delay in the sustainable development principles implementation, in spite of the importance of natural risks (which will be increased by the climate change) to which they are exposed. However, they concentrate the majority of the population and the economic activities (in particular those with high added value) of the South of Europe, which increases the impact of the risks related to the climate change.

The cost of the inaction being higher than the cost of the action (Stern Report), a proactive approach, and not only a reactive one, is today crucial.

In spite of the stake, the recommendations in terms of metropolitan actions of prevention are weak and they are addressed initially to the States (Kyoto objectives, European Climate Plan).

The action of the infra-national levels is mainly perceived like an accompaniment of more overall policies. However this articulation, completely justified, should not exonerate the infra-national levels of their responsibilities. It is imperative that on their scale, the territories implement a comprehensive strategy and tools making it possible to effectively prevent the natural risks related to the global warming.

CAT-MED is based on a systemic approach of the fight against the global warming, and includes the sustainable urban development principles. Indeed, only a global approach would make possible to perennial the results of the metropolitan actors’ involvement. The partners thus chose to attach an equal importance to the environmental, the economic and the social issues, to the territorial approach and to the governance.