The Greener Hackney event on 15th October was introduced by local MP Meg Hillier, cabinet member for sustainability Sophie Linden and Kathryn Johnson of Sustainable Hackney.  

Sophie Linden hopes that this will be the first of many such events, the beginning of a partnership with the council, and reiterated the council's political commitment to the Climate Change Strategy.

Meg Hillier noted the cross-party agreement on the need for action on climate change, and the political currency of the idea of setting carbon budgets.

Kathryn Johnson called for radical changes to a system which is not meeting the challenges or delivering what people want.

A speaker for the Association for the Conservation of Energy, outlined how the coming Green Deal in combination with the Energy Company Obligation, the Feed-in Tariffs and the Renewable Heat Incentive will greatly accelerate uptake of energy-saving measures.  The government expects local authorities to play a large part in delivery, and "warmed up communities" will benefit most from the Green Deal.

Transition Town Finsbury Park talked about their activities in food growing, and draft-proofing training.

James Palmer, director of projects for the council, acknowledged that the council needs to do more.  The council has recently set up an energy advice line for residents, and has developed an internal network of council officers passionate about sustainability as well as appointing the first full-time sustainability officer, Fran Bury.  The aim is to deliver some wins this year in order to continue with that full time position in the future.

Workshop sessions followed on Food growing, Biodiversity, Micro-renewable generation, Home insulation and Behaviour change.  An undertaking was made that the output from the workshops will be taken on board by the council to address barriers and find ways to work in partnership with the local community.