Climate Emergency Declaration – Where do we go from here?

On 10th July, Councillors voted unanimously to declare a climate emergency. The support for this cross-party motion from all corners of the borough shows how urgent the problem is, and how important it is to reduce the impact that the borough has on climate change.

The declaration stated our intention to decarbonise the borough by 2050.  We know that the Council cannot achieve this alone. 97.5% of Merton’s emissions come from the buildings we live and work in, and the vehicles we drive. This means the personal choices we all make about the way we live, travel, shop and deal with waste matter.

We also know that the Council has a key role to play in helping change happen. The Council will seek to decarbonise its own buildings, transport and services by 2030. By doing this we hope to demonstrate how we can overcome challenges and grasp the opportunities that green growth has to offer.  We also want to support real and lasting change through the way in which we serve the needs of  the borough.

Over the coming months we will be developing an action plan to set out how we  intend to decarbonise the borough by 2050. You can get involved in the ways set out below.

(1) We are looking to form a climate emergency working group which will provide input and challenge into the process.  This will be our main way to consider, with members of the borough, the key direction and prioritisation of possible actions for the plan. We will accept applications for the working group up to 9 August, with the first meeting taking place in late September.

(2) We want to know what you think you, and the Council, should do to reduce our carbon emissions. To capture these views, we intend to issue an online survey in September.

(3) We want to learn about activities which are already being carried out by Merton’s residents and businesses to tackle climate change. Hearing about existing projects in the borough will help us share ideas with others and  accelerate change.  If people want to share lessons learnt, or are looking to initiate action and want some input from the Council, please contact one of our climate officers at Future.Merton@merton.gov.uk.

Read Merton Council’s News Room release https://news.merton.gov.uk/2019/07/10/merton-council-declares-a-climate-change-emergency/

For more information about how you can take part, please go to Merton Council’s  Climate Emergency web page https://www.merton.gov.uk/planning-and-buildings/sustainability-and-climate-change

There has never been a better time to act, and we look forward to working with you over the coming months.

Climate Emergency Working Group

Merton Council will be drafting a Climate Change Action Plan to set out how they intend to make the London Borough of Merton carbon neutral by 2050. To advise on the development of the Action Plan and communicate ideas and feedback from the wider Merton Community, Merton Council will be forming a A Climate Emergency Working Group.

Find out more and how you can apply.