Issue - meetings

The Cabinet Member Finance and Sustainability – Councillor Goldberg presented Haringey’s first Annual Carbon report. He informed the meeting that climate change posed a severe threat to the environment, the community and to the local economy. Following a campaign organised by Friends of the Earth involving hundreds of local residents, there was cross party political support to work towards a 40% carbon reduction by 2020. Councillor Goldberg reported that a Carbon Management Plan covering the Council’s operations was agreed in 2010 and which set out an ambitious plan to deliver a 40% reduction in carbon emissions by 2015; ahead of the community wide target. This demonstrated leadership by example and provided a benchmark for other organisations in the borough. Haringey was one of 9 local authorities in England to have been selected to take part in the Department of Energy and Climate Change, Local Carbon Frameworks pilot. The aim of this pilot was to develop best practice in local carbon reduction action planning and bring together a core group of experts to support those pioneering action on climate change.

During 2011 Haringey would lead on the development of a Carbon Management Plan for the borough, which would require support from residents, businesses, organisations and voluntary groups across Haringey and for this reason, a membership organisation for all those wishing to support action on climate change, known as Haringey 40:20, would be established.

This report provided an overview of the carbon emissions baseline for Haringey and set out a transparent framework for reporting on progress towards attaining the carbon target. The report also explained the next steps being taken to develop a Carbon Management Plan for Haringey.

Following Councillor Goldberg’s introduction other Members contributed to the debate together with the following external speakers:-

John Broderick - Tyndall Centre For Climate Change, Elizabeth Cox - New Economics Foundation, Samantha Heath - London Sustainability Exchange,  Tony Bosworth - Friends of the Earth and Warren Hatter, Local Improvement Advisor.

Councillor Goldberg concluded the debate.

RESOLVED

1. That it be noted that the report provided a framework for making transparent the progress being made by the Council and other organisations, in order to support work towards a 40% reduction target by 2020.

2. That full support be given to the development of a Carbon Management Plan for Haringey in 2011 noting that the success of the Carbon Management Plan for Haringey would be dependent on the coordinated action of businesses, faith groups, schools, public bodies, charities and every individual who lived in the borough.