• IN response to objections from residents of the Alexandra and Ainsworth Estate, Camden’s heating engineers have attempted to address concerns about their outdated proposal – a methane-guzzling, greenhouse gas-emitting replacement heating system – by coming up with a proposed future “Stage 2” to be implemented 10 to 20 years further down the line.

This suggests that at some stage in the remote future they could “bolt on”additional features to make the system more climate-friendly. However this tacitly acknowledges that as currently proposed the system falls far short in terms of its sustainability and would leave us pumping out CO2 long after everyone else has stopped.

Notably, this promise of a “Stage 2” was introduced only after Camden had already submitted their planning application, raising questions about its sincerity.

It is not a genuine commitment to environmental responsibility and appears to be a tactic to appease residents and cajole them into accepting a completely unsustainable system.

But the time to address Camden’s climate emergency is now, not in 2040 or beyond.

Meanwhile other local authorities, such as neighbouring Islington, are taking proactive steps to address the climate crisis. Islington is focusing on reducing CO2 emissions by targeting its social housing stock.

By leveraging advanced modelling tools like UCL’s 3D Stock and the Pathways to NetZero tool, Islington is systematically planning energy retrofits for all its council homes, with insights from their research reinforced by expert collaborations and success in obtaining funding for the retrofits.

The residents of Alexandra and Ainsworth Estate have long been advocating the adoption of individually controlled air or ground source heat pumps, which would be a more sustainable solution. However so far Camden’s engineers have disregarded our suggestions.

Camden has a valuable opportunity to follow in Islington’s footsteps. By pausing their current planning application and enlisting experts from UCL to conduct a thorough audit of their social housing stock, they can develop a comprehensive strategy to ensure all of Camden’s housing estates, including Alexandra and Ainsworth, meet international CO2 standards.

With the planning committee soon to make a decision, it’s crucial not to overlook this opportunity. It’s time for Camden Council to put this application on hold and align with global best practice, prioritising sustainability above all other considerations.

Let’s not miss this chance; Camden must act decisively and emulate Islington’s proactive approach.

TOM MUIRHEAD, NW8