• FOR three years we have been asking the council to consider the carbon footprint of all its departments.

This would require measuring the carbon footprint of goods and services and looking for ways of reducing it.

In the case of highways repairs and maintenance this is relatively straightforward.

The “embodied carbon” of cement-based materials is easily quantifiable.

As cement production is responsible for around 5 per cent of global CO2e emissions it is well worth trying to minimise its use.

Highways alteration projects should also aim to reuse as much of the existing materials as possible in the new works to limit waste and impact of resource extraction.

In advance of the May 5 elections we call on candidates to commit to the following actions:

• Demand the UK government and the Mayor of London provide the funding, powers, resources and technical support needed to meet the 2030 target.

• Set up a climate and biodiversity emergency working group, with a remit to work across all departments to deliver ambitious climate and environmental targets.

• Train all council staff in the effects of greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity destruction, and what to do to help achieve the transition to zero-carbon.

• With involvement of all staff, make a costed plan to achieve each department’s transition to zero-carbon via an accelerated reduction in Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions.

• Audit current emissions and ecological indicators in order to account accurately and report on changes over time.

• Reach out within and beyond the borough: invite all sections of the community to contribute their expertise and energy to address the crisis we face, work with other local authorities and internationally to share best practice to address climate and ecological breakdown.

And to twin with a town such as Sylhet, Bangladesh, where many Camden residents have relatives, to build awareness of the climate crisis.

CLIMATE EMERGENCY CAMDEN