Energy provision needs to be addressed under climate emergency

Buildings are one of the biggest contributors of carbon emissions causing climate change.

It is estimated that 40% of the carbon emissions generated in the UK come from domestic and non-domestic buildings, so it is clearly an area that has to come under focus as part of the climate emergency declared by Redbridge Council in June.

Under the Mayor’s London Plan any new built homes are supposed to have been zero carbon, since 2016. The latest plan, extends this provision to non-domestic buildings.  

Local Planning Authorities are supposed to set up carbon offset funds for developers, so that if they do not meet the zero-carbon provision a payment has to be made.

In Islington, they have been operating such a scheme since 2012, with the funds raised from the carbon offset funds being used to insulate social housing stock.

The Mayor has also operated a number of other innovative schemes to cut emissions, including the London Community Energy Fund, Re-Fit – a retrofitting scheme and Solar Together.

In Redbridge, we need to take a comprehensive look at energy provision and emissions. It is an area that cuts across many council functions. So there are public buildings, schools, housing and a variety of other areas all impacted upon. This would include existing buildings and new housing stock, that may come about through council buying property or new builds. Equally on public buildings there are existing buildings like the town hall and new builds such as under the hubs programme.

All of these existing buildings must be on a council property inventory, which needs to come under a sustainable energy audit. This will  be a big piece of work but needs to be done if the council are to reach the targets of carbon neutrality by 2030 and zero carbon by 2050.

Redbridge council also needs to work with other neighbouring boroughs, particularly on things like renewable energy networks. There can be joint networks and schemes that can really help reduce the overall carbon footprint.

There is much to be done, with little time to do it but the will is certainly there to bring about the change.

Individuals and civil society must play a part as well. There is a surprising lack of renewable energy schemes in Redbridge, say compared to other parts of the country. Only relatively small numbers of people seem to have got solar panels and the like fitted to their homes. Then there are other energy sources such as heat pumps.

There was an interesting session earlier this week, as part of the Wanstead fringe events, looking at green roofs. These are another biodiverse way of being more energy efficient.

If we really do want to be cleaner and greener, then people need to look to live more sustainably - which includes energy use.

There are though also civil groups like churches, who really do want to have some of these schemes. In the past, they have been frustrated in that ambition, now things need to change, with help and support being provided for groups that want to make these positive changes.

There is lots we can all do to address the climate emergency and using energy more sustainably is certainly a key area.