What is the climate emergency?
Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) in our atmosphere help regulate global temperatures.
Over the past century, human activity has rapidly increased the production of greenhouse gases leading to a 1°C rise in global temperatures.
This change in temperature is already leading to more frequent and extreme weather events, such as the flooding event which occurred in Camden last summer.
In 2018, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change declared the need to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 °C. A temperature rise of 2°C would have a devastating impact on our food and water supply, human life and economic growth.
Find out more about climate change on the government website.
What are we doing about it?
In 2019, Camden declared a climate and ecological emergency. This recognised the threat of climate change and the irreversible damage to our planet it may cause.
We held our first Citizen’s Assembly on the climate crisis in 2019. Over three sessions, Assembly members considered evidence from climate scientists, environmentalists and community energy practitioners. They then developed their proposals on how Camden should address the climate crisis.
The assembly informed the development of our Climate Action Plan 2020-2025, which outlines a programme of projects and activities for the council to help us achieve net zero by 2030. The Climate Action plan is centred on the following themes:
People
Everyone who lives, works, studies and visits the borough will be well informed and actively contribute to tackling the climate crisis in all aspects of their lives.
Buildings
Our buildings will be energy efficient, comfortable and fit-for-purpose for a zero-carbon future.
Places
Our public spaces will encourage and enable healthy and sustainable travel choices and promote biodiversity.
Organisations
All organisations in Camden will operate responsibly and embed tackling the climate crisis throughout their operations.
Read the climate action plan (PDF)
Read the condensed climate action plan (PDF)
Camden’s Carbon Management Programme
As part of the Climate Action Plan, we must do everything we can to reduce emissions from our own properties and operations. Our Carbon Management Plan defines how we measure, manage, and reduce emissions from Camden owned properties. Find out more about the carbon reduction programme.
How we’re tracking progress
The Climate Action Plan committed us to provide annual progress updates to share the key achievements from across the community tackling the climate crisis. The review also provides an update on actions from the Climate Action Plan.
Progress since 2005
Since 2005, Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions across the borough have fallen by 45%. Across the Council’s own estate and operations, CO2 emissions have fallen by 59% since 2010, excluding council housing.
Related information
We have commissioned a series of reports to better understand how we can achieve a net zero borough. These have been used to inform our current Climate Action Plan.