Lambeth Council launched a new website on Tuesday (July 28) to inform residents about what it is doing to tackle the climate crisis and get their ideas on what else could be done.   

Everything the council is doing to tackle the climate emergency is now available on a central hub on website Commonplace, which includes sections on climate change in Lambeth and in general, what residents can do to reduce their environmental impact, and ongoing projects in the borough. 

The council has created a Lambeth climate action map, where it asks the public for suggestions to improve the environment in their neighbourhoods, and includes environmental projects already in place, such as Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses. 

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Lambeth, which was the first council in the country to declare a climate emergency, had to delay its citizens’ assembly on climate change due to the Covid-19 crisis. 

A council spokesperson said the website “will help provide the ideas and the evidence needed for the [assembly] and in the development of Lambeth’s borough-wide climate action plan”. 

The site will be live until the end of October and the council said it is working with community organisations to help reach those who can’t access digital channels.

We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make major progress towards our bold aim of becoming carbon neutral by 2030 and to tackle multiple inequalities at the same time and support the physical and mental well-being of our residents

Cllr Claire Holland, deputy Leader and cabinet member for sustainable transport, environment and clean air said the lockdown had “forced real changes in behaviour which in turn resulted in a marked reduction in traffic, a significant increase in cycling and walking and reduced emissions”.  

“This resulted in cleaner air and communities using their streets differently.  

“The majority of households in Lambeth don’t own a car and live in flats with no access to outside private space.  

“We know that nearly 10,000 Londoners a year die from toxic air related conditions. Covid-19 is a disease which hits the respiratory system and disproportionately impacts older residents, those with underlying health issues and our Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.  

“Climate change too exacerbates existing inequalities. 

“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make major progress towards our bold aim of becoming carbon neutral by 2030 and to tackle multiple inequalities at the same time and support the physical and mental well-being of our residents.  

“We have already put a series of measures in place to cut car use and support greener transport, to support local business, to increase recycling and to make homes and offices more sustainable. 

“But there’s still much to do which is why we’re determined to leverage the huge passion in this borough for improving our air quality, innovation and doing our bit to tackle climate change.  

“Before lockdown we have some of the most polluted air in the UK, with our children and the most at risk suffering the worst impacts. 

“We will not go back to how it used to be, and we want to get everyone involved in tackling inequality this environmental crisis.  

“We need to really understand the impacts it will have on our borough and communities, capture the local solutions that exist already, and develop new ideas for a greener borough.

“The new Lambeth climate action website will play an important role in achieving that aim,” Cllr Holland said.