Islington has secured high environmental standards on new buildings and driven down carbon emissions over the last two years, a new report reveals.
A record number of green roofs – with plants which absorb rainfall, boost wildlife and help to cool the city – were approved by the council in the past year. Research already suggests that Islington has more of these specialist rooftops than any other borough in the capital.
The council is also promoting the use of more permeable paving, including new slabs outside the Town Hall which allow water to be stored temporarily in an underground chamber, rather than being washed straight into overloaded drains.
The measures are outlined in a new study, Islington’s “State of the Environment Report”, which presents a snapshot of the environmental health of the borough.
The document contains a raft of other data, including news that:
* a greater proportion of major developments were car free in 2008-09 compared to the previous year;
* the number of street trees in Islington has increased consistently year on year since 2002, and now stands at 11,300;
* the number of car club members in Islington almost doubled in the year leading up to December 2008;
* the energy efficiency of local authority owned homes has been considerably improved over the last three years;
* the average waste produced per person has been reduced year on year since 2003-2004.
However, the report concludes that in other areas, such as air quality, there is still room for improvement.
Cllr Greg Foxsmith, Islington Council’s Executive Member for Environment, said: “Climate change remains a central challenge for the borough and the council will continue to work to reduce local carbon emissions. I was proud that Islington was one of the founder signatories to the 10:10 campaign, pledging to reduce our carbon emissions by 10% in 2010. We need to effect real change now. I hope that our residents will also take the commitment at an individual level, by signing up on www.1010uk.org.”
To see a copy of the report visit http://www.islington.gov.uk/stateoftheenvironmentreport
Next month, the council will publish its “3 Year Sustainability Strategy and Action Plan”, explaining how environmental issues are being tackled.
Page Last Updated: 06 November 2009