Halve fossil fuel trips by 2024 – Haringey

Net Zero

The london Borough of Haringey wants to halve the number of journeys in the borough made by petrol and diesel vehicles by 2024 as part of its ‘climate emergency’ plan. 

Haringey has brought forward its target for the borough becoming net zero from 2050 to 2041. 

To achieve the proposed sharp reduction in transport CO2 emissions, the council proposes policies such as controlled parking zones; reallocating road space from vehicles; adjusting parking permit pricing; more electric vehicle charging points; a bike hire scheme; and zero emission zones. It also wants Transport for London to help fund 30-60 kilometres of dedicated cycle routes.

Haringey also suggests TfL should end the bidding process for borough funds and instead award each borough long-term  funding for active travel infrastructure. 

After listing the transport actions, Haringey says: “It is therefore technically easier to mitigate these [transport] emissions than in other sectors and actions, such as retrofitting homes.” 

Haringey says 20 per cent of the borough’s emissions come from transport and more than 50 per cent from housing. 

It estimates the cost of achieving net zero will be £1.6bn but says most of the cost will fall outside the council.

“Although this is a large figure, much of this will be spent anyway as existing equipment needs replacing, and new buildings are constructed. The costs will be shared between public and private organisations, and private households.” 

Haringey says councils that have set a 2030 date for becoming net zero carbon will find that impossible to achieve. 

“Although many local authorities have committed to this timeframe [2030], the council’s evidence suggests that this timeframe is not deliverable, even with new powers and increased funding for councils.

“This timetable would, for example, require over 10,000 full retrofits of homes in Haringey each year. This figure has never been achieved at a national level. 

“It would therefore be close to impossible to deliver this in the borough, especially as there is limited funding to do this, and there are only a few companies and workers in the UK currently that could deliver this level of retrofitting.” 

To show leadership, Haringey is considering setting 2027 for the council itself to become net zero. 

Consultant Arup has helped Haringey draw up its ‘climate emergency’ plan.