Haringey's green letdown

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 15th Aug 2008

Commenting on Haringey Council's announcement this week of a target to reduce the borough's carbon dioxide emissions by 11% by 2011, Cllr Ed Butcher, Haringey Liberal Democrat Environment Spokesperson said:

"It is extremely worrying that Haringey Labour are nowhere near to committing to the sort of reduction that is actually required to avert catastrophic climate change. This figure has an air of rearranging deckchairs on the Titanic about it.

"The fact they have announced this seemingly random number by press release rather than in consultation with local stakeholders says it all really. After all, it is the help of these people that is needed to deliver this huge change.

"The Labour Leader of the Council signed the Nottingham declaration in November 2006 promising this target. Almost two years later it is depressing this is the best they can do. It is going to take more than a few green fairs and special environmental editions of the Haringey People to achieve it."