Protecting the environment for us and for future generations
Our goal is to make Camden a low carbon and low waste borough by 2012
Why this issue is important
Climate change is an urgent priority and public services in Camden are committed to doing our fair share to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, the main climate change gas, in line with national targets. Over half of Camden’s climate change gases come from businesses and a quarter from homes. All of us need to consider how we reduce our ‘carbon footprint’.
Protecting, promoting and enhancing the environment is a wider concern than climate change. It is up to us all to make sure that we use natural resources wisely; reduce, reuse and recycle our waste; protect plants and wildlife; and reduce pollution.
We need to make it easier for people to reduce their impact on the environment.
What is already being done
For several years we have performed well at reducing waste and recycling. In 2006 our recycling rate of 27% was the highest in inner London. The borough is also reducing traffic levels which have fallen by over 20% since 1993 through, for example, parking controls.
The Council offers grants to residents in all types of housing to improve the energy efficiency of their homes and has saved the equivalent energy of heating 3,900 homes through insulating and glazing its own housing stock.
Camden’s schools are helping children and young people to lead sustainable lifestyles, for example, by involving them in the design of their school environment.
Here are some of the specific aims we are working towards:·
- making Council owned housing more energy efficient
- increasing the amount of waste recycled or composted
- reducing the amount of waste collected per resident
- reducing levels of traffic
What people have told us
During the consultation we received a lot of comments on environmental issues. People think climate change is a significant issue and want to play their part and for the Council and its partners to lead the way locally. People want businesses to get more involved in protecting the environment. Opinion is divided between whether we should use penalties or incentives, but crucially, people want it to be easier for everyone to do their bit.
What the Council and its partners will do
- reduce carbon emissions and waste from their buildings and services in line with national targets
- make it easier for residents and businesses to protect the environment including:
- reducing, reusing and recycling their waste
- reducing their carbon footprint
- encourage all developments and growth to be:
- sensitive to the environment, including to open spaces, local character and the natural environment
- as low carbon and low waste as possible; and overall
- to promote sustainable development
- explore how major developments could generate heat and power for surrounding areas
- reduce pollution from transport through both traffic reduction and the use of cleaner vehicles, including the promotion of walking, cycling and public transport
How local people can contribute
- reducing the amount of energy and water used in the home
- walking, cycling and using public transport, including for the school run
- reducing waste and recycling more
- shopping locally
- using trains rather than planes where possible - the Eurostar will be on our doorstep from November 2007
- if you are a business, taking action to reduce your impact on the environment
