Get Serious About C02

Thanks to amazing local groups like ours, in 2008 the Big Ask campaign forced the Government to adopt the first ever Climate Change Law in the world. We are now committed to an 80 per cent cut in emissions by 2050.

Now we need to make sure that happens. Get Serious About CO² is about practical, effective solutions to reduce emissions on a local council level, asking councils to make reductions of 40% by 2020 and develop an action plan for that. Local Councils are major institutions: they spend up to £100 billion of public money each year, look after housing, energy and transport- three crucial areas in the fight against climate change. Without their immediate and ongoing action, we cannot make the progress we desperately need.

So how are we trying to make Hackney Get Serious About C0²? Well, we're aiming to get Hackney's councillors to support a motion to adopt the target and the action plan, and to that end:

• We've written to all Hackney's councillors to explain the campaign and its importance and asking them to support it. A number of councillors have gotten back to us with queries and offers of support.
• We've been out on the streets getting local residents to write postcards to their councillors, asking them to support the campaign. So far, we've gathered well over 300 such postcards and we'll be gathering more in the coming months.
• We've met a number of councillors to discuss the campaign and to ask for their support in person.
• We've met with council officers to discuss the campaign, and we'll soon be meeting with Cllr Sophie Linden, Hackney's cabinet member for crime, sustainability and customer services.
• We've been getting in touch with local community groups and businesses asking them to lend their support by writing to Hackney's Mayor, Jules Pipe, about the campaign. So far, these organisations are supporting the campaign:
  • Hackney Green Party
  • Growing Communities
  • Hackney City Farm
  • Shakespeare Neighbourhood Residents' Association
  • Hackney Cyclists
• In October, we presented a deputation to Hackney council, arguing for them to adopt the 40% target. You can read all about it in our news pages. Cllr Linden commited to a 'challenging medium-term target' for reducing C02 emissions, and committment we will be supporting her to keep to.

If you think this sounds as exciting as we do, do get in touch to find out how you can help, or come along to a meeting to find out more.

You can find out more about the developments in the national campaign on the FoE HQ website.