Everyone has a role to play in addressing the climate emergency

Redbridge Council's declaration of a climate emergency was welcome news for residents.

There were commitments to go to carbon neutral by 2030 and zero carbon by 2050.

There will be a green audit of council services and measures to tackle air pollution - particularly around schools.

Plastic use is to be radically reduced in council operations, with efforts being made to cut single use plastic right across the borough.

The waste and recycling elements of the motion look to very much focus on stopping producing and throwing away so much in the first instance. 

Existing council owned property will be made as energy efficient as possible.

Renewable and sustainable energy will be positively encouraged in Redbridge, through the council’s planning, estate management, investment and procurement policies.

Ideas like municipal renewable energy companies will be looked into alongside other London boroughs.

There will be big efforts to improve biodiversity, with tree planting plus the extension of wildflower planting schemes.

There will also be advice for individuals and businesses on how to live in a more sustainable way.

Looking at how much of this agenda can become reality on the ground requires a look at some of the developments planned.

Take the five community hubs plus the development in Ilford, which should become beacons of good environmental practice when it comes to addressing the climate emergency. These centres can include all of the most up to date sustainable developments like solar panels, insulation and green roofs. It is up to the local communities to help frame the hubs – a substantial grass root input on what people expect to see can ensure that the beacon status on all things environmental can be achieved.

However, it cannot all be down to the council. Other bodies operating in Redbridge need to help out. At a recent external committee it was somewhat disarming to see the level of disinterest shown by Network Rail representatives to a suggestion made by the chair that they might look at having a green roof as part of the work being done on Ilford station.

Equally, Transport for London seem keen to have volunteer groups like the community gardeners in Wanstead help out. At the same committee meeting the TFL representative suggested there could be similar help offered for South Woodford Station.

In Wanstead, community gardeners already help out keeping the gardens around Wanstead and Snaresbrook station in such fantastic condition.

However, when it comes to helping local councillors in developing environmentally sustainable developments alongside the M11 Link and Selsdon Road it seems TFL are not interested. No one even responds.

This is a give and take operation. Redbridge does not exist to simply provide resident resources to support outside bodies, whether it be TFL, Network Rail or the City of London Corporation – with its vast parkland areas around the borough.

All need to contribute in the spirit of the climate emergency motion to ensure that all stakeholders play their part in planet survival.