Birmingham’s boast that it is to stage the world’s first ever climate change festival collapsed last night after it emerged other cities have already held similar events.
Council leaders said a week in June dedicated to promoting the green agenda would be unique and promote the city’s sustainability credentials.
But Birmingham has already been beaten by Wellington, in New Zealand, which launched its inaugural climate change festival in October 2006.
And several hundred people attended a festival at Exeter Cathedral in January this year, where speakers from across the world spoke about the dangers of uncontrolled carbon emissions.
Cambridge City Council staged a Sustainable City Festival last year at which participants were asked to think creatively about climate change.
Birmingham has been chosen to run its climate change festival from May 31 to June 8 by CABE, the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment.
Deputy council leader Paul Tilsley, who has special responsibility for sustainability issues, accepted that the city may have been "over-egging the pudding" by claiming a world first.
He added: "However, the fact is it will be the only climate change festival in the UK and will draw attention to what we are doing in Birmingham.
"It will bring into focus much of the good work already underway in the city, and provide a real platform from which all interested parties can come together to promote sustainable growth and development in the future.
"That we have been chosen as the first city in the UK to host this festival provides yet more evidence of our credentials and determination to lead the way in tackling this issue, perhaps the most issue of our time."
But he added: "The fact is it will be the only climate change festival in the UK and will draw attention to what we are doing in Birmingham.
"It will bring into focus much of the good work already underway in the city, and provide a real platform from which all interested parties can come together to promote sustainable growth and development in the future.
"That we have been chosen as the first city in the UK to host this festival provides yet more evidence of our credentials and determination to lead the way in tackling this issue, perhaps the most issue of our time."
A council spokesman said people, local businesses and public sector organisations would be challenged to do more to support sustainability.
He added: "With its ambitious plans to drastically reduce carbon emissions by 2026, Birmingham was chosen as the ideal location for the festival, a highlight of which will be the launch of the city’s pioneering climate change strategy."
He said events to be held throughout the week would prompt people in Birmingham see their city through different eyes.
"They will range from community-based performance to a hothouse event for professionals working in the built environment sector, and a green day for schools in the city.
"As Birmingham makes this commitment to becoming a low carbon city, the festival will bring alive how it can do this in a way that is sociable and smart, not drab and dreary," the spokesman added.
But the festival was condemned as "fluff and spin" by Councillor Steve Bedser (Lab Longbridge), who chaired Birmingham’s sustainability and climate change scrutiny committee.
He said the council appeared to be "repackaging" World Environment Day, which is normally celebrated with events in Victoria Square.
"It all sounds very noble, but it’s really a bit of spin on top of what’s been happening annually for a number of years.
"There doesn’t appear to be very much substance or detail about what exactly is going to take place," Coun Bedser added.
Council advice about how people can get involved in the festival includes:
* For businesses – use the week to motivate and reward teams for helping the company become more efficient and environmentally responsible
* For organisations promoting sustainability – it will be the issue of the week in Birmingham, so why not schedule an event and get members involved
* For housing associations – this is the time to talk to people about fuel poverty, insulating homes and the grants and support available
* For schools – get involved in a Green Day event or plan activities you could do to make your school sustainable.
