Councillors back ambitious new plans to achieve climate change targets

The proposals are outlined in a wide-ranging policy paper written by council leader Simon Hogg which has been approved by councillors on the finance committee.

Cllr Hogg writes: “The world is facing a global climate emergency. We heard from residents how important tackling this emergency is to them. We have tasked officers to work with pace and urgency across the borough to do everything we can in Wandsworth to mitigate this.

“We can only tackle climate change by working together. That means listening to each other and finding a way to move forward with consensus. We will convene a Citizens’ Assembly in the Autumn on air quality in order to listen to our residents’ views and support them to co-produce an action plan for the future, that works for Wandsworth and improves the air we and our children breathe.

“We will continue to support and review active travel opportunities working in partnership with residents on the ambition to make our roads safer, greener and more attractive for active travel."

Wandsworth’s cabinet member for environment Cllr Judi Gasser added: “Getting to net zero is the mission of our generation and the next four years are crucial if we are to achieve this.

“We can only tackle climate change by working together. That means listening to each other and finding a way to move forward.”

As well as convening the Citizens’ Assembly, which will draw on the energy and expertise of local groups and residents committed to tackling climate change, the new policy proposals include:

• Implementing more school streets to encourage walking and cycling to school

• Improving road safety around schools to make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists

• Providing more bike hangars to offer safe storage for bicycles

• Delivering more electric vehicle charging points to encourage emissions free motoring

• Exploring the establishment of an E-bike hire scheme

• Expanding food waste collections to help reduce emissions from food that fuel global warming

• Offering monthly mega skips to ensure fewer vehicle trips to waste disposal sites while reducing flytipping

For more information about the council’s target to achieve carbon neutral status by 2030 and its proposals to tackle climate change please visit https://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/news/campaigns/climate-change/

Some of the policy initiatives outlined above will be subject to further discussion and committee scrutiny before they can be officially adopted.