Extinction Rebellion has backed Lewisham Council’s recently published climate emergency action plan.   

The Lewisham local group of the global environmental movement, which uses non-violent civil disobedience to tackle the climate emergency, said its members were “relieved and encouraged” by the plan.   

Lewisham Council declared a climate emergency in February 2019 and published its action plan, which covers areas such as housing, transport and the local environment, last week. 

The council, which accounts for about three per cent of carbon emissions in Lewisham, is aiming to make the borough carbon neutral by 2030.  

It expects the cost of reaching that target to be around £1.6 billion for everyone involved.    

A spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion’s Lewisham group said: “It will require the whole community to come together in order to achieve this.  

“We look forward to playing a comprehensive role, helping the council in this essential and urgent responsibility.” 

The action plan has also been backed by campaign group Climate Action Lewisham.   

A spokesperson said: “We recognise that engaging the public in as diverse and complex a borough as Lewisham is not easy, but it’s essential to deliver the plan effectively.  

“We actively support Lewisham’s ambitions to lead carbon reduction behaviour among the public of Lewisham and be an example to other boroughs.”  

Cllr Sophie McGeevor, Lewisham Council’s cabinet member for environment, said: “We are incredibly proud that Lewisham is one of the lead councils in tackling the Climate Emergency.  

“This action plan sets the path for the borough to be carbon neutral by 2030, but it is only by working together with the community that we will leave a greener, better Lewisham for future generations.” 

The action plan was approved by mayor and cabinet on March 11.