Brixton low carbon zone (Lambeth)
The Brixton low carbon zone was launched in March 2010 and is an integral part of Brixton's vision to become a centre of excellence in carbon reduction. The zone continues Lambeth's track record of encouraging residents and key stakeholders to work together to improve local quality of life and reduce their energy consumption through its broader BIG Difference campaign.
Brixton is a large zone with a mix of housing estates, street properties and over 600 businesses. A lot of the zone sits in the Coldharbour ward, which is one of the most deprived areas in the UK. The major carbon savings are projected to come from estate retrofit, including external wall insulation and boiler replacements, and £2.8m of investment from Eon Energy plus £3m from United Residents Housing will be deployed this year to deliver this.
GLA funding focuses on initiatives to enable behaviour change, tackle fuel poverty and influence the local businesses. The zone has its own green champions officer, supporting residents to set up projects such as draught-busting workshops, recycling, food growing on estates and helping to organise events. For more information please contact Kees Frederiks: kfrederiks@lambeth.gov.uk or call: 0207 926 3473.
Activities:
- Several low rise social housing blocks have received loft and cavity insulation and double glazing.
- Sixty ‘green community champions’ have been recruited and trained in giving basic energy efficiency advice.
- Groundwork’s Green Doctors have serviced over 200 homes (with over 100 now draught-proofed). Three of the Green Doctors were recruited through the Future Jobs Fund, as a result of LCZ status, and have gained full-time employment.
- Transition Town Brixton has set up a social enterprise for bulk buying and is set to use the FIT to recycle funding to energy efficiency measures.
- A Recycle-a-Cycle Project is being set up (along with new estate cycle provision, cycle training and a Dr Bike service) in previously disused garages that are being refurbished as a result of LCZ status to provide work spaces.
- Through the Green Business Project the two largest carbon emitters within the zone - the Brixton O2 Academy and Morleys Department Store - are being supported to reduce their carbon emissions.
- Three of the five Green Doctors recruited through the Future Jobs Fund through Groundwork have now secured full time employment.
- Every business in the zone is being offered advice, audits and a mix of small measures. The high emitting businesses are receiving detailed audits and being taken through a part-GLA funded programme to reduce their emissions, which will be monitored through an e-monitoring tool and follow-up visits. Uptake of both these projects is ahead of schedule.
Documents:
For more information on Brixton's low carbon zone please contact Afsheen Kabir Rashid on arashid2@lambeth.gov.uk or 020 7926 3473.
