Barking and Dagenham Council has become the latest London borough to declare a climate emergency – outlining ambitious plans to become carbon neutral by 2030.

At a council Assembly meeting this week (Wednesday 29), councillors agreed a motion that commits the council “to do everything within their power” to take the steps to become a greener borough, including proposals to eventually eliminate gas boilers from its housing stock and using planning powers to make sure developers meet a strict greener criteria.

The plans also include working with private homeowners and businesses to retrofit homes and workplaces, as well as further roll-out of electrical vehicle charge points and LED street lighting.

The decision comes after Campaign Against Climate Change (CACC), a global warming pressure group, called for local authorities to act against rising global temperatures.

Councillor Geddes, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Social Housing, said: “Councils have a crucial role when it comes to tackling climate change.

“This is about much more than the world being warmer; it is about how our residents will be affected, whether through rising energy bills or increased insurance costs to how their health and well-being may suffer.”

Barking and Dagenham Council has already taken a number of measures to reduce its carbon footprint. This includes launching Beam Energy, which provides low-cost electricity from 100% renewable sources, as well as a pledge to end single-use plastic and switching some of its fleet to using electric rather than diesel.

Councillor Geddes added: “Our aim is to be the green capital of the capital, so our declaration today is an extension of the work we have already been doing to improve the lives for the people of our borough.”