Council to cut CO2 by 40%
Tuesday 6 October 2009
Haringey Council is the first major local authority to sign a pledge to cut carbon emissions by 40 per cent by 2020.
Last week we signed up to the Friends of the Earth Get Serious About CO2 Campaign which sets the target at a 40 per cent reduction because that's the minimum necessary to avert runaway climate change.
Haringey Council leader, Cllr Claire Kober, said:
"We are committed to becoming the greenest borough and after much consideration have agreed to this pledge to cut carbon emissions by 40 per cent. Before doing this I wanted to check exactly what this would mean and whether we could realistically meet that target. I now believe we can.
"We are dedicated to this aim and will develop our action plan and policies to accommodate the low carbon emissions targets. This is a challenge and I am really pleased that we are the first council to make this ambitious commitment to help safeguard our environment."
Haringey will develop an action plan to guide it through the various measures necessary to meet the yearly targets.
Friends of the Earth (FOE) director, Andy Atkins last week joined Haringey Council leader, Cllr Claire Kober, and FOE members from across Haringey, on a visit to Wood Green to witness some of the carbon cutting measures already in place.
Visiting the newly installed electric car charging points in borough car parks, Mr Atkins said:
“It is fantastic that Haringey Council is doing its bit in the fight against climate change.
"The Council's new target to reduce emissions by 40 per cent by 2020 is spot on with the latest science, which shows that any less won't be enough to prevent dangerous climate change.
“Hundreds of people from Haringey called for a serious target to cut emissions as part of Friends of the Earth’s Get Serious About CO2 campaign – it’s great that the Council has listened to them.
“Local action to cut emissions will create jobs, boost the local economy and slash people’s fuel bills – which is much needed in Haringey as many people struggle with the cost of heating their home.”
- Picture shows Haringey Council leader Cllr Claire Kober and FOE director Andy Atkins with an electric car in Wood Green.
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