Croydon is taking major steps towards becoming London’s greenest borough by appointing the first chair of the Climate Crisis Commission to help deliver a sustainable Croydon.
Miatta Fahnbulleh, the chief executive of the New Economics Foundation, a think-tank promoting social, economic and environmental justice, has been appointed to lead the commission, set up to tackle the climate and ecological emergency, when it meets in March.
The independent body will draw on the findings of a new citizens’ assembly, which meets for the first time this week, made up of 72 people from across Croydon who are of different ages, backgrounds, faiths and other protected characteristic and were chosen to reflect Croydon’s diversity.
The assembly will discuss the climate challenge facing Croydon and ways to lower the borough’s carbon footprint.
Miatta will lead the commission as it uses the citizens’ assembly’s findings to form an action plan to make Croydon more sustainable.
She said: “I am delighted to be chairing this exciting commission. Councils across the country will have to grapple with how to respond to the climate emergency and it’s great that Croydon want to blaze a trail for how to work with the local community to develop an ambitious response. I look forward to working with partners across the borough to make this happen.”
“I am delighted Miatta will be chairing the commission and I’m sure her experience and knowledge will be a great asset.
“Through the citizens’ assembly we are empowering Croydon’s communities, especially young people, to have their say in shaping the borough’s response to the climate and ecological emergency we all face.
“The Sustainable Croydon Commission, led by Miatta, will drive Croydon towards its goals, recommending actions to reduce the borough’s carbon footprint and to help the council become carbon neutral by 2030.”
Councillor Tony Newman, leader of the council
