Lambeth council to work with community to become carbon neutral

Lambeth council has launched a new project to collaborate with the community to help the London borough become carbon-neutral by 2030. 

The biggest contributor to carbon emissions in Lambeth is homes (40%), followed by the industrial and commercial sector (34%) and then transport (25%).

The council is responsible for less than 5% of carbon emissions in Lambeth, therefore the borough will only be able to reach carbon-neutrality by working with the community.

Recent research has revealed that the majority of Lambeth residents are concerned about climate change and are already, or are willing to consider, taking action like recycling, shopping locally, eating less meat, driving and flying less.

Through the Lambeth Climate Action website, the council hopes to get the community talking about climate change, and provide a space to discuss ideas for a greener, fairer economy.

These ideas will then be considered by the citizens’ assembly and in the development of Lambeth’s borough-wide climate action plan.

The Lambeth citizens’ assembly on climate change will involve residents in Lambeth who will be selected at random. The assembly will then review evidence, discuss trade-offs and arrive at recommendations.

The aim of the assembly is to develop a set of proposals to respond to the climate crisis in Lambeth.

Cllr Claire Holland, deputy leader (Sustainable Transport, Environment & Clean Air) said: ‘The lockdown forced real changes in behaviour which in turn resulted in a marked reduction in traffic, a significant increase in cycling and walking and reduced emissions. This resulted in cleaner air and communities using their streets differently.

‘The majority of households in Lambeth don’t own a car and live in flats with no access to outside private space.

‘We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make major progress towards our bold aim of becoming carbon neutral by 2030 and to tackle multiple inequalities at the same time and support the physical and mental well-being of our residents.

‘But there’s still much to do which is why we’re determined to leverage the huge passion in this borough for improving our air quality, innovation and doing our bit to tackle climate change.’

Photo Credit – Pixabay