Lewisham Council has declared climate emergency. Pic: Matthew Kimemia
Lewisham Council has declared a “climate emergency” and pledged to do everything in its power to make the borough carbon neutral by 2030, according to its newly published meeting report.
The council took action after Labour Councillors Tauseef Anwar and Louise Krupski proposed the motion on “climate emergency” during the council meeting on February 27.
The motion was presented on the same day that the council began demolishing the Old Tidemill Wildlife Garden in Deptford. The demolition was heavily criticised by the public.
Clean air campaigner Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debra was quoted by the News Shopper as saying: “Did the clueless council declare a climate emergency on the same day they demolished Tidemill? A council with no clue, how insensitive. Deptford has high pollution levels but creating a clean air zone is [a] very low priority.”
Labour MP Ellie Reeves for Lewisham West and Penge, said: “The government needs to urgently show that they are serious about tackling climate change.”
We only have 11 years to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. If we are serious about tackling climate change then the Government must urgently enshrine in law a before 2050 #NetZero emissions target. pic.twitter.com/bejytoHPYE
— Ellie Reeves (@elliereeves) 4 March 2019
Lewisham Council said: “A changing climate will have severe and enduring social, economic and environmental implications, and that tackling climate change is an issue of inequality as the greatest impact will be on the most vulnerable and those least able to protect themselves.”
Lewisham’s recycling, composting and re-use rate increased by 280% between mid-2017 and 2018. The council launched a food waste collection service, urging residents to recycle more, in 2017.
According to their Draft Transport Strategy and Local Implementation Plan 2019-2041, Lewisham Council is working to improve paths for walking, cycling and public transport across the borough.
The council will also publish another Action Plan on Climate Change before the end of the municipal year 2019/20.
