Haringey residents and groups passionate about the environment are being invited to partner with the council in the fight against climate change.
In 2019 the council declared a Climate Emergency with the bold ambition and shared purpose of becoming a net-zero borough by 2041.
The Climate Action Unit (CAU) will give structure to this shared purpose and will bring together the council, residents, local businesses, partners and groups to explore the practical action needed to tackle climate change.
The CAU’s launch is part of the Haringey Deal - recognition that the council doesn’t have all the answers and needs to draw on the expertise, insights and energy in our communities.
Along with community outreach projects, it will be tasked with the groundbreaking mission of co-producing a review and re-draft of the borough's Climate Change Action Plan.
Recruitment to the CAU will begin in the autumn. No professional expertise will be required to join, only a passion for our community and desire to protect the planet.
Cllr Mike Hakata, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Environment and Transport said:
“We’re determined to tackle the climate emergency head-on, whilst ensuring a just transition to a low-carbon future.
“But this must be a shared endeavour. To this end the Climate Action Unit will enable real democratic participation and ownership.
“I would urge anyone with a commitment to climate action and community engagement to join. Let’s knit together and harness all the energy out there to do our utmost to beat our already ambitious net-zero target and build a fairer, greener borough.”
To help ensure the council is meeting its net zero targets and ending fuel poverty, it has set aside £100 million to begin an ambitious decarbonisation retrofit of our council stock.
The council planted a Haringey record 1,500 trees in 2022/23. It has set out targets to increase canopy cover to 30 per cent in all wards and plant at least 10,000 trees by 2030 to kick start this process.
Other climate and environmental commitments include the recent approval of plans to almost treble the number of School Streets to 61 as part of our comprehensive Streets for People programme, focused on reducing motor traffic, cleaning our air and creating low-carbon, safe and vibrant neighbourhoods for everyone.
