Look Below
International Initiative in Defence of the Quality of the Night Sky as Mankind’s Scientific, Cultural and Environmental Heritage
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Starlight - Covenant of Mayors Related Initiative

Starlight Tourist Destinations

Starlight Destinations are visitable places characterised by excellent quality for the contemplation of starry skies and the practice of tourist activities based on this resource. The Starlight Tourism Certification System was created with the aim of encouraging, at world-wide level, the improvement of the quality of tourist experiences and the protection of the night skies in Starlight Destinations.The Starlight Certification seeks to guarantee the capacity to enjoy the view of the stars and...

Windows to the Universe

The scientific dimension of a starry night is an essential part of the legacy of the sky. The ability of the planet’s astronomical sites and observatories to detect and interpret data from outside the world we live in should be considered as a resource of extraordinary value for the progress of knowledge, as it has been throughout history. Dark skies are still the windows to our knowledge of the greater Universe. Unfortunately current areas devoted to astronomical observation do not enjoy ap...

Starlight Reserves

A Starlight Reserve is a site where a commitment to defend the night sky quality and the access to starlight has been established. Its main function will be to preserve the quality of the night sky and its associate values, whether they are cultural, scientific, astronomical, natural, or landscape-related. A Starlight Reserve will have a core or dark zone. This is an unpolluted area where natural night sky light conditions are kept intact. This core zone will be protected by a buffer or prote...

Star Parks - One Star at a Time Programme

A StarPark is a window to the firmament that each community voluntarily designates to enjoy the starry night sky. Its function is to claim and secure the right to starlight, especially for future generations.
Just as communities designate areas for recreation, sport, the enjoyment of nature or silence, these same sites and others can be places where the starry sky is enjoyed. A StarPark is an oasis that each community designates for stargazing/observing, a site where to learn under the st...
Published in News - News Features
18Feb 2012

Covenant of Mayors and the Starlight Cities Initiative: Recover the Stars and Save Energy

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February 2012. The Starlight Initiative, through its action “Starlight Cities” is now one of the EU Covenant of Mayors Related Initiatives.


The Covenant of Mayors is the mainstream European movement involving local and regional authorities, voluntarily committing to increasing energy efficiency and use of renewable energy sources on their territories. By their commitment, Covenant signatories aim to meet and exceed the European Union 20% CO2 reduction objective by 2020.

The Covenant of Mayors is not a stand-alone initiative. Quite to the contrary, it strongly interacts with projects, policies and initiatives from European institutions, public administrations and networks.

The Starlight Initiative aims to fight against the harmful effects of light pollution that is a growing problem in our cities and municipalities. The waste of outdoor lighting increases energy consumption and is economically unjustified. It also increases the level of emissions that contribute to climate change.

Starlight Cities is also supported by UNESCO MAB Programme (Urban Systems)

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Starlight Cities and Municipalities will commit to:

  • promote and replicate best practices in cities’ outdoor lighting, aiming to increase energy efficiency of 20% at least, and to decrease light pollution of no less than 40%.
  • disseminate successful ordinances and regulations on responsible outdoor lighting among local authorities.
  • promote sustainable lighting plans respectful of night sky quality and energy efficiency.
  • disseminate and recommend the best eco-efficient and innovative light technologies 
  • develop outreach and training actions addressed to local people, local authorities and those in charge of outdoor lighting.
  • disseminate the Practical Guide for Outdoor Lighting among the main stakeholders and local authorities.
  • to consolidate an annual award for best practices and excellent actions carried out by municipalities.

Read more

Covenant of Mayors web site

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Last Updated on Feb182012
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More information

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING?

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Starlight Initiative collaborates with the

PORTAL TO THE HERITAGE OF ASTRONOMY

Starlight Finder

Starlight related links

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Covenant of Mayors Related Initiative

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Colaborating with IAU Working Group

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IUCN Dark Sky Advisory Group

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Dark Skies Awareness Project

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Partnership Unesco-MaB

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Member of the Knowledge Network

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Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias

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The Starlight Initiative is designed as an international action in defence of the values associated with the night sky and the general right to observe the stars. It is open to the participation of all scientific, cultural, environmental, and citizens' organizations...

In partnership with:
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