It is great to see Lambeth’s Climate Action Plan come to life following such a collaborative process. Climate action must start with thinking and acting at the local level, addressing climate change from the ground up. The King’s Climate Action Network is just one example of how the diverse views of our engaged community are driving positive change at the university level and beyond. As a university, we have an important role to play in climate action not only by taking decisive action to reduce our emissions, but also by engaging with our students, staff, partners, the wider Higher Education sector, and our local communities to maximise the positive change we can have.
Kat Thorne, Director of Sustainability
24 March 2022
King's experts contribute to Lambeth's new Climate Action Plan
King’s local borough Lambeth launches Climate Action Plan after an extensive process of collaboration with a range of stakeholders, including King’s experts.
On Monday, Lambeth Council’s cabinet approved its Climate Action Plan to enable the borough to become carbon net-zero compatible and climate-resilient by 2030. The plan aims to make Lambeth a cleaner and healthier place to live, work and visit.
Collaboration was at the heart of Lambeth’s approach, as the plan was developed in partnership with residents, businesses, community groups, and large organisations – including King’s. King’s is part of the Climate Partnership Group - a group of high-profile public, private and third sector organisations brought together by Lambeth Council to lead the action in sectors ranging from higher education to housing.
Kat Thorne, King’s Director of Sustainability, sits on Lambeth’s Steering Group along with other representatives from organisations across the borough, elected Councillors and Youth Councillors. This Group oversaw the development of the citizens’ assembly’s recommendations into a borough-wide climate action plan.
King’s was also represented on Lambeth’s Expert Advisory Board. The role of the Board has been to advise on the design of the process for the citizens’ assembly, approve the selection of experts to advise the assembly, and ensure the material presented to the assembly is balanced. Dr Rob Cowley contributed his expertise in how transformative solutions at local levels can support our cities to adapt to climate change.
It is very pleasing that these efforts have led to such an ambitious but well-considered plan, grounded in thoroughgoing public deliberation. I hope King's can contribute to similar initiatives elsewhere in London.
Dr Rob Cowley, Lecturer in Sustainable Cities in the Department of Geography at King’s
The Climate Action Plan has identified 20 goals across five priority areas to help the borough become net-zero compatible and deliver tangible improvements to peoples’ lives. These priority action areas are adaptation; buildings and energy; transport; waste, consumption and food; and biodiversity and environmental equality. Fairness and equality sit at the heart of this plan by ensuring the most vulnerable people are protected and supported, while the wealthiest or most polluting businesses are held accountable for reducing their emissions. Read the Climate Action Plan here.
Climate action at King's
Contributing to society through our knowledge lies at the heart of our core mission at King’s and drives our commitment to addressing global climate change. We are taking decisive action as a university by reducing the negative impacts of our operations and maximising our positive impact through solutions-oriented research and education. Find out more about climate action at King’s and join the King’s Climate Action Network.
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Senior Lecturer in Sustainable Cities