Ealing Council is continuing its efforts to meet the climate emergency by taking further steps to become more environmentally-friendly, reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality. It is also working with residents and other groups to develop a wider strategy for the borough.
Earlier this year, the council declared a climate emergency – joining authorities and governments from across the globe in recognising the urgent need for action.
In a bid to make the borough ‘carbon zero’ by 2030, the council has now set up five working groups to gather evidence in five areas, which are: Energy, transport, food, green infrastructure and waste. Local people, schools and businesses are all to be involved in the work.
The groups will each compile recommendations and collectively present a zero-carbon strategy to the council’s cabinet next summer. The adopted strategy will start to affect council policy in all areas of its work as soon as possible.
In November, the council committed to using 100% renewable electricity in all its buildings, street lighting and in some schools. All for 30% less than the previous cost of green electricity to the council.
The council is also looking at greener options for its gas supplier and will consider changes that represent value for money for council tax payers.
Leading the charge for greener roads
The council has also kickstarted the process of swapping its diesel vans for cleaner, greener electric ones. A total of eight vans are already in use by council officers in parks and facilities management service areas following the announcement, which was made earlier this year.
Local people across the borough are also benefiting from more options when it comes to greener travel. There are now more than 130 on-street electric vehicle charging points (EVCP) in place across the borough – with more on their way.
Chargers are being installed on-street with dedicated parking bays as well as being placed in local lamp-posts, enabling residents without off-street parking to charge their cars.
Subject to the outcome of the public consultation, these EVCPs would be installed early next year and would be the largest, single introduction of EVCPs in London so far.
The increase of EVCPs on the borough’s streets is part of the council’s ambitious transport strategy, launched last year. The aim is to lower the environmental footprint within the borough and across London by increasing the electric vehicles on local roads and improving air quality.
There could be up to 11,500 electric cars on Ealing’s roads by 2025 – which is why it is central to the council’s long-term plans to boost the number of EVCPs in use.
