Islington Council adopts most ambitious carbon target yet (Islington Liberal Democrats)

Islington Liberal Democrats <Islington_ld@cix.co.uk>

Islington Council adopts most ambitious carbon target yet

March 19, 2010 12:30 AM

Terry Stacy and Laura Willoughby with solar panels on Central Library.

Councillors Terry Stacy and Laura Willoughby with the rooftop solar panels that power Islington Central Library.

Islington's Liberal Democrat council has adopted its most ambitious target for cutting carbon emissions in the borough - 40% by 2020. Friends of the Earth are running a 'Get Serious on CO2' campaign to encourage all councils to adopt this carbon goal. Islington's executive committee of councillors adopted the target this week, although they admit that reaching it won't be easy.

A new report for the Council from the Centre for Sustainable Energy presented to the Council's executive shows that the national measures to reduce CO2 emissions fall far short of what is necessary to reach a 40% target. Even the Government's best case scenarios for their plans leave a carbon gap in Islington of 148kt of CO2 by 2020. Government targets are for a 21% reduction by 2020, meaning that additional local action will be needed to reach the ambitious 40% goal.

Islington won the highest praise from the Audit Commission this year, for being one of the most pioneering authorities in the country on combating climate change. The Government inspectors particularly highlighted the Climate Change Partnership of more than 200 local organisations and businesses, coming together to cut carbon, and the council's £4 million 'Climate Change Fund' investing in renewable energy and sustainable transport,

The council will now begin to draw up a full action plan for reaching the 40% target.

Islington's Liberal Democrats are:

Developing borough-wide 'combined heat and power' networks, providing local homes and businesses with cheaper energy bills from electricity and central heating generated locally, such as at rebuilt leisure centres in the borough.
Introducing a new development strategy for Islington, with tough environmental rules for developers building in the borough.
Extending the work of the Islington Climate Change Partnership.

Council environment chief Lib Dem Councillor Greg Foxsmith said:

"In Islington we are already one of the best councils for cutting carbon. Lots of public bodies sign up to carbon reduction targets - but in Islington we mean it. The Islington Lib Dems believe that we must all play our part in avoiding catastrophic and irreversible climate change, and we want to keep Islington one of the country's most environmentally-friendly boroughs."

At the executive meeting councillors also agreed funding from the Climate Change Fund for:

Solar Panels at the post office being rebuilt as part of the revamp of Highbury Corner.
Solar Panels at the Walter Sickert Community Centre in Canonbury.
A contribution towards an electric delivery van and pedal cycle delivery cart for a local florist business.