Hackney Greens pledge to improve the borough’s environment

Hackney Greens will launch a “buddy” scheme to promote access to gardening. This is just one among dozens of environmental plans in the party’s local election manifesto, titled Hope for Hackney.

Hackney Greens have promised to work to match up people who have green space that they are unable to look after with a “buddy” who can tend to it instead.

Green candidate for mayor, Zoë Garbett, says:

The evidence shows that gardening is good for exercise and mental health – plus together we can protect and grow our natural environment. We also hope that the buddy programme will help tackle loneliness and build strong friendships.

The Green manifesto Hope for Hackney states:

We believe everyone should have the opportunity to be involved in stewarding the natural spaces around them and building a connection with the ecosystem on which we depend and are a part of.

When our natural environment is controlled from the top down, local people are deprived of agency in their green spaces, creating a disconnect with where they live. This affects feelings of community and has detrimental impacts on mental and physical health.

We want residents to be involved in decisions that shape their local environment.

The Hackney Greens manifesto includes dozens of specific and practical plans in Chapter 6: Caring for our Environment:

• To help repair the borough’s fragile ecosystem.
• Support community food growing and innovative use of land.
• Keep our streets clean.
• Protect our planet and prepare for the future.
• Adapt to our changing climate.

Residents that Green Party volunteers are meeting at the doorstep have responded especially well to the Hackney Greens pledge to establish a community skip. This would move around the borough, allowing residents to dispose of bulky items conveniently and for free.

A Green council would also support and empower local community energy projects. These can help lower energy bills for residents and businesses, as well as reducing carbon emissions.

The Hackney Greens manifesto pledges support for existing local community groups, biodiversity champions, Tenants and Residents Associations and schools with training. And there’s a commitment to working with the Rights of the River Lea campaign.

A Green Council would mark International Mother Earth Day ‘Pachamama’ (22 April) as a borough-wide week of climate action and learning. This would highlight global majority and Indigenous perspectives on environmental stewardship.

You can read the full manifesto here.

Featured image via Hackney Green Party