Have your say on how to cut pollution in Southwark
Town hall leaders are asking residents what projects they would like to see to cut pollution.
Southwark Council has launched a new online portal to help find out what local people and businesses are willing to do to help it tackle climate change. The survey asks people to contribute ideas within five environmental themes.
In light of the threat posed by COVID-19, the council had to adapt its planned programme of community focused work on the climate emergency. But this survey marks the start of a new conversation between local people, the council and others that will extend into the summer.
COVID-19 and the lockdown have changed how everybody lives, works and travels. If such positive changes – like less car travel and more working from home – can be adopted, this would result in significant environmental benefits and improvement to the quality of life and health, for everyone in Southwark.
The council wants to further and build on such changes and is asking people who live, work, study and visit Southwark, to share their ideas. It wants to know about changes that people could make to help address climate change, within the following themes:
- Transport and travel
- The energy we use – gas and electricity
- Biodiversity, trees and green spaces
- What we all consume – food, clothes, etc.
- Building, constructions and regeneration
In March 2019, the council joined the international Climate Change Campaign by declaring a Climate Change Emergency. This declaration reinforced its commitment to combat carbon emissions and do all it can to tackle rising global temperatures.
Southwark Council has reduced its emissions, cutting them by 37% since 2010. Moving forward, the council hopes to join forces with everybody in the borough, to try and make Southwark carbon neutral by 2030.
Cllr Richard Livingstone, Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and the Climate Emergency, said: “We need to work with everybody in Southwark to bring about the change that is necessary to reverse the climate emergency. Together we must work to reduce the amount of carbon we produce to create a healthier, greener and more sustainable future for generations to come. You can take a step onto this journey with us, by letting us know what changes you could make, or continue with, to start living more sustainably. ”
This survey is the first part of the council’s ongoing work to understand how it can best support and work with residents, to tackle climate change together: southwark.gov.uk/yourclimatethoughts
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