Hackney Council asks residents to scrutinise its plan for tackling climate crisis

Local politicians with Cardinal Pole students after discussing the climate crisis with them. Photograph: Hackney Council

Hackney Council is asking the public to review the first draft of its climate action plan to reach net-zero emissions.

Residents, businesses and local organisations can have their say at drop-in events around the borough and through a survey.

At the council’s climate summit in March, locals fed into the plan by contributing their thoughts and priorities for tackling climate change within the borough.

Now, the first draft outlines the steps required for businesses, organisations like the council and NHS, and local residents to reduce their climate impact and achieve cleaner air, greener neighbourhoods and cheaper heating and electricity.

The plan includes protecting vulnerable residents from climate change impacts, reducing fuel poverty, and decreasing energy usage by installing more solar panels and removing gas boilers.

It also covers reducing transport emissions, improving air quality and biodiversity.

Another point is to “change what and how everyone in the borough buys, uses and sells”.

The draft goes into further detail with goals and objectives for residents, organisations and businesses.

Last week, Hackney Council rejoined the UK100, pledging alongside more than 100 local authorities to reach net-zero emissions in 2030.

Mayor of Hackney Philip Glanville said: “When it comes to tackling the climate crisis, we’re one of the most ambitious councils in the country.

“Since we declared a climate emergency in 2019, we’ve planted thousands of new trees, installed new zero-carbon energy on lots of our buildings and transformed more than half of Hackney’s streets to make them better for walking and cycling.

“As a council, we are responsible for about five per cent of the borough’s emissions, so it’s key that we all work together to do everything we can to rebuild a greener Hackney, and call for more resources, funding and action from government, national institutions and big business where we need it.”

Cllr Mete Coban, cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “This climate action plan is designed as a guide that everyone can refer to and that we can work together on.

“We welcome your comments, your scrutiny and, above all, your participation in tackling the climate and ecological crisis.”

The consultation, which closes on 10 January 2023, is available here, along with information about drop-in events.