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A trailblazing
initiative to create the UK’s first zero-carbon sustainable
suburb is to be launched in southwest London on Monday 25 February.
Hackbridge in Sutton will be abuzz with ideas during a special week,
25th February to 1st March, as people who live and work in the area
get together to design the zero carbon suburb of the future.
Sutton Council and local sustainability
specialists BioRegional are working in partnership with residents,
community groups and businesses in the area to turn Hackbridge into
the UK’s first zero-carbon sustainable suburb. The partnership,
known as Sustainable Hackbridge Initiative, has organised Hackbridge
Week in order for residents to contribute their ideas and suggestions
for the area, currently a community of approximately 2,500 homes
and workplaces.
Hackbridge Week will feature a
full programme of events and workshops on the improvements needed
in housing, transport, job opportunities, health services, schools
and community facilities, including:-
• a series of lively workshops for residents and businesses
to share their ideas on how Sutton can achieve zero-carbon status
by 2025
• One-Planet Hackbridge – sessions on how sustainable
living is easy, attractive and affordable.
• The plight of local flooding and droughts – a session
on water efficiency, on how to use rain and waste water sustainably,
and measures to reduce local flooding and droughts.
• with rising energy prices, the energy efficiency project
will show residents how to keep their homes warm while saving money
and reducing CO2 emissions. Energy consumption is a key cause of
climate change, and a massive 15% of the ecological footprint of
Sutton; the project will also look at generating renewable energy
locally.
• Zero-Waste – a waste reduction workshop aimed at helping
Hackbridge hit 70% recycling rate and exploring the treatment options
for the remaining 30%.
Sutton has been at the forefront
of sustainable living for years. Hackbridge is home to BedZED, the
UK's first mainstream eco-village; which reduces CO2 emissions from
its buildings by 56%.
Sutton Council Executive Member
for the Environment Cllr Colin Hall said, “People living
and working in the area are champions of the environment and it
is their ideas, their energy and their enthusiasm that will help
transform Hackbridge and ultimately Sutton, into the UK’s
first zero-carbon suburb.”
“This area has long
been a showcase for green living and Hackbridge week is a chance
for the community to decide how we make Hackbridge a better place
for everyone. We intend to blaze a trail on one planet living for
others to follow.”
Jessica Hodge, One Planet
Living in Sutton Manager at BioRegional said,
“If everyone in the world lived like we do in Hackbridge
we’d need 3 planets to support us. Hackbridge Week is good
opportunity for residents to think about what they can do to reduce
their environmental impact at the same time as helping to make Hackbridge,
and the whole Sutton borough, a happier and healthier place to live.”
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