This forum has taken a considerable interest in sustainability issues - the recent establishment of the Sustainabile Bowes Park group is evidence that local people are keen to understand more about the impact we have on the planet and to act more sustainably. The proposed development of a huge waste plant just along the North Circular at Pinkham Way is a stark reminder of the need to find local solutions to global problems. And all this at a time when government expenditure on all but immediate, core concerns is being cut and "austerity" is constant response to demands for local government investment.

A new initiative, from Haringey Council takes a radical view of the issues and proposes to increase local jobs and boost the local economy by creating a business models to reinvest wealth in the borough by:

• Building a low-carbon economy;
• Boosting  innovation;
• Investing in low-carbon transport;
• Strengthening community organisations.

It's an ambitious approach and Haringey Councillor Joe Goldberg - who has responsibility for finance and Carbon Reduction - has detailed the bold agenda. Cllr Goldberg said: “By tackling climate change, we can raise prosperity throughout the borough. We would be tackling inequality and solving an unsolved question. [If we don’t do anything], we are looking at quite extreme costs to people’s lives – fuel, food, energy. It is quite frightening.”

The approach is laid out in a report from Haringey 40:20 the Haringey Carbon Commission

More information:

Ham and High online

Haringey 40:20