Amid the consensus and agreement, the only conflict was over how fast Camden would go in bringing in changes and whether the council, as in the case of Unison’s suggestion to close roads to cars for one week in every month, would be willing to be more radical than the first list of suggestions.
Camden its doors to suggestions for tackling climate change and reducing emissions
Environmental campaigners outside the Town Hall before a climate emergency debate
THEY rarely agree on much but on Monday evening councillors from all sides of the Town Hall chamber dropped hostilities and stood united with the same goal of tackling climate change.
With universal support, a motion was passed committing new resources to the battle and formally declaring a climate and ecological emergency. It will look to implement 17 recommendations drawn up by its citizens assembly, a panel of 50 randomly selected residents, which brainstormed ideas on how to reduce carbon emissions and go green.
These include:
* Fitting as many solar panels on houses as possible;
* encouraging residents to eating “zero carbon dietary choices”, which includes consuming less meat;
* planting more trees;
* installing more cycle lanes;
and improving infrastructure for electric vehicles.
The wording of the motion included the solemn text: “This council formally commits to tell the truth to Camden citizens about the scale and seriousness of the emergency.”
Members of Extinction Rebellion had broken off from their direct action protests in central London – including a blockade of Westminster Bridge – to greet councillors as they entered the building.
Those sympathetic to their aim of forcing the issue of climate change up the global political agenda and public consciousness also filled the public gallery inside the chamber at the Crowndale Centre in Eversholt Street.
