Croydon is set to declare a climate emergency in a bid to tackle climate change and improve the environment for residents now and for future generations.
Making the borough more sustainable is a major priority for the council as it sets out a raft of ambitious targets to make the council carbon neutral by 2030.
A global temperature increase of just 1.5oC would have wide-ranging and damaging impacts to the environment and the council is looking to lead from the front, recognising the climate emergency and working to address it.
The authority’s commitment to tackling climate change was launched at Croydon’s first sustainability summit, where residents and school children discussed how to make the borough a greener place.
The summit also saw the announcement of a £250,000 fund to support green initiatives across the borough and a new grass verge management routine to encourage wild flower growth, creating a better environment for bees.
Croydon is already working to improve sustainability. This includes boosting the borough’s recycling rate by 9%, planting 3,500 trees by 2023, reducing energy use, creating School Streets, installing electric vehicle charging points and making it easier to cycle and make other sustainable journeys across the borough.
A recommendation, set to be debated at council on Monday 15 July sets out ambitious targets to make Croydon Council carbon neutral by 2030 and a commitment to work with our communities, while lobbying central government to tackle climate change.
“We are facing a climate emergency – not just in Croydon but across the globe, and everyone must play their part to tackle this crisis.
“In Croydon we are committed to doing everything we can to make our borough more sustainable. We have a long way to go but we will work with our residents and communities to meet this challenge.
“I am proud that this council is set to lead the way with ambitions to become carbon neutral in just 11 years.”
Councillor Tony Newman, leader of the council
