Croydon Commission Chair appointed

Mon, 03/02/2020 - 11:27

Miatta Fahnbulleh, chief executive of the New Economics Foundation, has been announced as the first chair of the Climate Crisis Commission to help deliver a sustainable Croydon. The independent body has been set up to tackle the climate and ecological emergency and will draw on findings of a new citizens’ assembly on ways to lower the borough’s carbon footprint. 

On her appointment, Miatta said: 

“I am honoured to have been invited to chair Croydon’s Climate Crisis Commission. The urgent need to reduce our environmental impact is now well understood across society, but politics has lagged behind and we have not seen the transformative solutions required. The transition to new low-carbon industries and ways of living must happen quickly, but must also be used as an opportunity to improve the wellbeing of workers, minorities and the poorest in our society.

“Councils across the country will have to grapple with how to respond to the climate emergency and it’s great that Croydon want to blaze a trail for how to work with the local community to develop an ambitious response. I hope that this Commission can help to kick-start concrete action and establish Croydon as a leader in the zero carbon transition.”

Groups from across the Croydon Community have been asked to nominate representatives to join Miatta as commissioners. Members of the Croydon public will be joined on the Commission by activists, technical experts and nominees from local anchor institutions including Croydon College, Croydon Health Services, the Croydon Voluntary Sector, and the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership. Commissioners will be tasked with reaching out into the Croydon community to build alliances and generate action on the climate and ecological emergency. 

Watch this space for information on how you can get involved.