Last week Sutton Council announced new targets for its ‘One Planet Sutton’ Plan which aims to give residents a better quality of life and boost the local economy while radically reducing the borough’s negative impact on the environment.

Last Wednesday, over 70 of the Council’s partners in the private, voluntary and public sectors (including police, health and housing) heard more about the One Planet Sutton vision and shared their ideas on how they will work with the Council to achieve it.

The new targets build on Sutton’s first sustainability plan, which was launched in 2009 when Sutton became the first One Planet borough. Working with local partners and community groups is a key part of One Planet Sutton. The plan was developed with international sustainability charity BioRegional which is based in the borough, and the targets have been agreed with local stakeholders following wide ranging consultation.

Since the One Planet Sutton plan was launched in the borough, Sutton has achieved the following:

• Carbon emissions have been cut by 19%.
• There has been a year on year reduction in waste produce per household.
• 500,000 bulbs and 1,000 trees have been planted.
• Westcroft Leisure Centre has been refurbished.
• Over 800 start-up businesses have been attracted to the borough.

See a film of One Planet progress here.

With the new targets, the Council will achieve the following:

• Sutton’s emissions of climate-changing carbon dioxide are due to fall rapidly with an aspiration to be a zero carbon borough by 2025. Space for wildlife and for growing food within the borough will grow, and recycling will increase.
• Unemployment will fall, particularly among younger people, and there will be more jobs in businesses which are part of the green economy.
• Homes will use less energy and be better protected against flooding.
• Sutton residents will make more use of environmentally friendly forms of transport such as walking, cycling, public transport and greener cars.
• The Council will be more responsive to local people. Residents will be more confident that the Council is listening to their views and taking their concerns on board when making decisions.

As part of the Council’s pledge to keep stakeholders informed about the work it does to support people who live and work in Sutton, attendees at the One Planet Sutton event were also presented with the results of a recent borough wide resident survey. The results show that the vast majority of residents (91%) are satisfied with their local area, and nine in ten think that their local area is cohesive.

The Council will use the results to continue to improve services and meet the aims of One Planet Sutton.

Speaking at the event, Councillor Jill Whitehead, Chair of Sutton Council’s Environment and Neighbourhood Committee, said:

“Sutton became the first One Planet borough in 2009 and is one of only a few councils to achieve this status.

“I’m delighted to announce our new targets and we remain committed to working with all our partners to develop high-quality services for our residents and local businesses, whilst continuing to do all we can to tackle climate change and other environmental problems.

“By working together we will achieve our ambitious vision and make Sutton an even better place to live and work.”

BioRegional’s Chief Executive Sue Riddlestone said:

“I’m proud that we have worked with Sutton Council for 20 years. This new plan takes us up a level. It’s a bold plan that is easy, attractive and affordable for residents to live within their fair share of the earth’s capacity.

“That’s why we have endorsed this as a One Planet Plan. I congratulate Sutton Council for committing to this, and especially for sticking to its principles during this period of austerity.”

Click here to calculate your Ecological Footprint and click here to pledge to reduce it.