Taking action to address the climate emergency is a key priority for this administration. There can be no social justice without climate justice.

Addressing the climate crisis also means addressing the biodiversity crisis and the borough’s health and cost of living crises. They are all connected.

We are addressing biodiversity and climate resilience with our meadow planting programme, the upcoming co-produced community green spaces programme, rainwater gardens and other flood management programmes, as well as the work we’re doing to protect and enhance our ancient woodlands.

We are on course to plant 2,000 trees this year, I believe a Haringey record. We’ve expanded our trees team from a team of two just two years ago, to seven this year, with an officer dedicated to planting and our developing Urban Forest programme.

We are going pesticide-free, starting with the rapid reduction of spraying underway in our parks right now. We are in the process of drafting a far-reaching Local Plan with climate and the protection of trees and biodiversity at its core.

Ham & High: Cllr Mike Hakata says that tackling the climate emergency is a priority for Haringey CouncilCllr Mike Hakata says that tackling the climate emergency is a priority for Haringey Council (Image: Haringey Council)

We are exploring local renewable energy production and distribution. Our Streets for People programme, which includes the fastest growing school streets programme in the capital (23 currently and 15 more going out for consultation this spring), three low traffic neighbourhoods, expansion of safe crossings, improved walking environments and wayfinding and the implementation of 20mph on all borough roads, a network of protected lanes on main roads, a borough-wide e-bike scheme launching shortly and the development of a parklets programme.

The council fleet is going completely EV, alongside our expansion of EV charging points with over 100 new points going in annually.

I’m so proud of our Community Carbon Fund, which has been supporting dozens of local net-zero projects. Council events and catering will soon be plant-based. We have launched one of the most ambitious retrofit programmes in the country, with a pathway to making our entire council housing stock energy efficient, reducing the bills of many on the lowest incomes, with homes warm in winter, cool in summer and well-ventilated. 

This is just the beginning.

Cllr Mike Hakata, deputy leader and cabinet member for Climate Action, Environment and Transport, Haringey Council.