Islington Council has been recognised for its exceptional effort to cut carbon emissions at the first annual Green500 and Better Buildings Partnership Awards.
The council received a Gold Award for its overall performance while the Islington Climate Change Partnership (ICCP) snared the special Trailblazer Award for leading the way in carbon reduction policy and strategy.
One of just three London councils to be recognised, Islington was also commended in the Indirect Engager category for the Climate Change Fund project.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “I salute London’s local government for truly grasping the nettle to become greener.
“Their sterling work to cut carbon and become energy efficient puts London on the front foot to emerge from the economic downturn stronger and stimulate new jobs.”
The ICCP, which celebrated its second anniversary last week, brings local organisations together to combat the serious issue of climate change.
So far, more than 150 private, public and voluntary members have joined the ICCP and pledged to reduce carbon emissions by 15 per cent by 2010/11.
As part of the scheme’s second anniversary celebrations, Arsenal Football Club and the Hilldrop Community Centre were named Carbon Reduction Champions 2009, having achieved carbon reductions of 26 per cent last year.
Cllr Greg Foxsmith, Executive Member for Environment, said: “The Islington Climate Change Partnership demonstrates just how serious Islington is about the environment.
“By working together, we’re well on our way to achieving our 15 per cent target and everyone involved should be immensely proud of that.
“Arsenal and the Hilldrop Community Centre are shining examples of a commitment to the cause and should be congratulated.”
Despite the current financial climate, and a particularly cold winter, the partnership is still on track to reach its target and has achieved a 6.4 per cent reduction to date.
The ICCP was the first of its kind across local authorities and offers an innovative and original approach to reducing carbon emissions at a borough level.
Page Last Updated: 22 June 2009