Camden’s new Climate Action Plan has been adopted Camden Council’s cabinet.

The Plan commits the Council to tackle the climate emergency and includes a zero carbon by 2030 goal and taking forward all seventeen recommendations put forward by a dedicated citizens’ assembly.

Action on energy figures large. The plan says: “We will also need to increase the amount of energy produced from renewable sources to help the move to lower carbon electricity. While the potential for large scale renewable energy in Camden is limited, there is still significant potential for solar and air source systems for new and existing buildings. We need to ensure that new buildings meet the highest environmental standards, do not add to carbon emissions or air pollution and are built to last.”

Other action on energy includes:

*In 2020, switch the Council’s corporate estate and schools to green electricity, and look at further ways to reduce the emissions associated with our energy supplies through renewable energy.

*In 2020, complete a feasibility study to install a large-scale solar project on housing estates. Subject to feasibility, deliver the project in 2021 and extend thereafter.

*In 2020, deliver a low-cost solar panels programme for residents in Camden through Solar Together and explore other group-purchasing schemes to support building retrofit.

*In 2020-21, create a public database of all renewable energy installations in Camden.

*In 2021, review and extend the Camden Climate Fund to provide financial support for energy efficiency improvement and renewable energy and heat deployment with a focus on the fuel poor and community groups.

A quarter of Camden’s direct emissions come from heat and electricity supplies to housing. Approximately 60% result from non-domestic buildings such as offices, shops, universities and schools.

Climate Action Plan 2020-2025: http://democracy.camden.gov.uk/documents/s89478/Appendix%201%20_%20Camden%20climate%20action%20plan.pdf

PUNL responds to Islington’s zero-carbon 2030 Vision

PUNL has responded to Islington Council’s consultation on how it intends to reach zero-carbon by 2030.

PUNL thinks there is a lot in the consultation paper that gives cause to cheer but a lot that is unsaid about how the council’s ambitious target will be achieved in 10 years’ time.
 
It contends that the ambitious goals in the paper can only be met if the aspirations are converted into a prioritised set of SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely) goals with clear financial commitments for investment and targets for carbon saving. 
 
The consultation paper rightly identifies the need for funding from government and the devolution of powers in order to achieve the goal of a zero-carbon borough by 2030. 
 
PUNL believes that community energy must play a significant role to help ensure the transition to a low carbon economy and a smarter energy system given the complex and fundamental changes that energy users will experience.
 
The response commends the Council on its establishment of the Islington Community Energy Fund (ICEF), which has supported energy efficiency, carbon reduction and fuel poverty alleviation projects in the borough.  It will be good to see ICEF funding for projects that align closely with the top priorities to achieve zero carbon 2030, including the switch from gas boilers to renewable heat systems.
 
The response explores further how PUNL can be involved in behaviour change along with funding and other initiatives.
 
Read the full response here (thanks to Tanuja Pandit for co-ordinating responses)

The consultation closes on 31 July and readers are encouraged to respond.

Details: https://bit.ly/2ZKsDWG

Document: https://bit.ly/2NZ3Hph

Energy in our Community

What can we do in our use of energy to promote a low carbon lifestyle? Find out on Wednesday 24 June, 7-8.30pm, at a Think & Do webinar.

How do we make our homes more energy efficient?

Hear from Power Up North London about renewable energy projects in the area – and how you can get involved? Camden Council is talking about energy in relation to meeting the net zero carbon target for 2030; and local architect Anna Woodeson is covering challenges to our industry, the trajectory to zero carbon, what a zero carbon world could look like and retrofitting our homes.

Join this Think & Do webinar to hear more about how anyone in our community can contribute to tackling the climate emergency to help Camden achieve net zero carbon by 2030. There will be plenty of time for questions.

Zoom:https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwodeqrpjkuE9fk5Z2XSFpQ2MQ-IXdmiaim

Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/energy-in-our-community-tickets-109560121272

More information: https://www.thinkanddocamden.org.uk/

Scaling up community energy

How can we scale-up community energy action in our cities? – is an online event held by Community Energy London on 25 June between 6-8pm.

Some of the questions explored will be: what are some of the best UK or international examples? Do frameworks to create scale exist in the community sector? What are the barriers to scaling up projects in the urban environment and how could we overcome them?

Urban projects face a number of unique difficulties in relation to access to space, the built environment in which they are situated and often higher costs in relation to installation. But the popularity of community energy schemes is growing, helped by climate emergency declarations and net zero carbon commitments.