Many of those initiatives will be key if cities want to meet the requirements of the new accords, Anderson said.

"Salt Lake City's programs have been so comprehensive and effective that the international community really looks at our community as a model of what municipal government can do both to reduce greenhouse gas emission and criteria air pollutants, which cause the kind of smog we see through this valley today," he said.

Locally, Anderson has been in discussions with Gov.-elect Jon Huntsman Jr. and Salt Lake County Mayor-elect Peter Corroon about joining in Salt Lake City's efforts.

The urban accords will mesh with World Environment Day, which has the theme of "Green Cities" this year.

The daylong conference will "promote an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing attitudes towards environmental issues," according to the United Nations.

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E-mail: bsnyder@desnews.com