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Raise the bar on climate targets
• CLIMATE change is a major threat to all of us.
Camden Council say in their sustainability plan that “climate change is the greatest environmental threat we face”, and that they “have made sustainability a top priority”.
But this just seems to be empty rhetoric.
Ten local councils,including Camden neighbour, Islington, have signed up to take part in the 10:10 campaign just launched, which aims to cut CO2 emissions by 10 per cent in 2010.
However, Camden have not signed up. I have been told that council officers “do not think we can achieve a
10 per cent cut in 2010”. Camden’s own target is a ridiculously low 10 per cent CO2 reduction by 2012.
Are they just trying to make their own jobs easy for themselves?
We face 40-year waits for allotments in Camden, air pollution in the borough is often above dangerous levels, the cost of energy is ever-increasing, but the council seem unwilling to do anything, or even consider helping Camden residents live better, healthier and greener lives.
If the council was to invest in cutting CO2 in the borough all of us could benefit. Kirklees council in Yorkshire offers free insulation for every single home, helping cut CO2 as well as cutting residents’ energy bills.
Investment in such schemes, and increasing renewable energy generation, creates local jobs and improves the environment for all of us.
Islington have recognised this, and their climate change partnership aims to cut CO2 by 15 per cent by 2010.
And the Maldives – an entire country – aims to go carbon-neutral in just 10 years time.
If Camden really wants to show that they are “committed to providing leadership” (as they say they are) they need to set targets worth aiming for and reduce CO2 now instead of just talking about it.
SUSAN POUPARD
Mornington Court, NW1
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