Background Italy ratified the Kyoto Protocol on 30 May 2002, and has the objective of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 6.5% by 2012 (compared to 1990 levels). This objective has been formalised in a National Action Plan, which was adopted in December 2003. Achieving the target implies action at both national and local levels. The city of Rome must play its part in helping Italy achieve the designated target. Objectives The ROMAPERKYOTO project would draw up an action plan for the city of Rome for tackling greenhouse gas emissions, as part of the overall Italian target of a 6.5% reduction by 2012 . Expected results were: Pilot projects to be set up to collect data and indicators on emission reductions; Demonstration of the effectiveness of Rome's action plan through data produced by the pilot projects, and adoption of the action plan by the municipality of Rome; Dissemination of information to citizens, explaining the plan's objectives and its relevance, with the aim of encouraging citizen participation; and Sharing of information and results with other EU Member States and capital cities. Results The ROMAPERKYOTO project achieved its main expected deliverable with the approval of its Plan for the Reduction of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) by the Municipal Council of Rome. The scientific partners (ENEA of Italy and ITT of Ireland) carried out analysis and modelling work to define various scenarios based on the different projected levels of GHG emissions in future years. The main stakeholders involved in the GHG issues (electric power producers and distributors, oil processing companies, public transport agencies, public institutions, research institutes, and many others) were involved by the beneficiary in an advisory group which was the main key to the success of the project. The Municipal Plan contains policy recommendations and actual prescriptions on actions to be carried out in the various fields of municipal planning (e.g. public transport, traffic, waste management, energy appliances, management of public buildings, etc.). The project also implemented seven small-scale demonstration actions in Rome (e.g. the use of highly efficient heating systems or solar panels in public buildings; the installation of innovative solar street-lights along a cycling lane; the design and implementation of traffic plans to reduce bottlenecks and delays by buses; the use of green accounting; and green procurement practices; and the implementation of an urban forestry installation covering more than 10 ha). Except for the forestry action, which did not produce the foreseen results because the need for maintenance and surveillance was under-estimated, all other demonstration actions were successful and served as examples for information and dissemination purposes and as models for replication. The repetition of the forest plantation is already foreseen in the Municipal Activity Plan and Budget for 2010. The project was presented at several scientific meetings at international level and managed to involve a high number of international observers through its website and its newsletters. All other EU capital cities were invited to the final conference held in Rome, but only 10 of them participated. All representatives signed a statement committing themselves to plan and implement concrete actions to reduce the GHG emissions. The continuation of the project’s activities is ensured by the establishment, by the Municipal Council, of a Permanent Observatory on Climate Change. The former LIFE Project Manager has taken charge of this new body, which should ensure a continuation of the project's approach and philosophy. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Communication Plan (see "Read more" section).