The Edmonton incinerator

• WE write with great concern about Camden’s support for the North London Waste Authority’s new waste incinerator in Edmonton, ignoring warnings from academics, campaigners, and opposition councillors alike that this incinerator will be devastating for communities in north London.

This is because there are significant environmental costs attached to burning waste, with estimates suggesting that this new incinerator would generate 700,000 tonnes of CO2 each year.

Supporting this project therefore directly contradicts Camden’s ambitious climate commitments and target to be net-zero by 2030.

Furthermore burning waste releases toxic particulates into the air, which is a clear public health risk to residents living across north London.

We are particularly concerned that this incinerator will be situated in a very deprived neighbourhood, worsening the air quality of some of London’s poorest communities. The social justice element here should have been taken into consideration.

We do not believe that alternative, greener, schemes to the incinerator were properly considered, and instead believe the focus should have been on investing funds into waste reduction and recycling options in support of the circular economy.

It is also concerning that neither Camden Council nor the other six London boroughs involved with the scheme had carried out an adequate impact assessment properly looking at the environmental and social impact of the proposed incinerator, which took into account our climate commitments. We do not believe that the project should have been given the go-ahead without this.

There are also several immediate risks that threaten the future of the project, including the potential for government intervention to stop it, for a Competition and Markets Authority study into collusion between the bidders, and for a legal challenge from campaigners.

Taking this into consideration, we wrote to the leader of the council and appropriate cabinet members to urge them not to sign the contract in order to review alternative, more sustainable, options believing this to be the prudent and responsible course of action.

We are therefore extremely disappointed that Camden Labour ignored our concerns, did not respond to our letter, and continues to support the incinerator.

We urge them to take their climate commitments seriously. Actions, not words, are needed.

CLLR SIÂN BERRY
Leader
CLLR LORNA JANE RUSSELL
Deputy Leader
Camden Green Group