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Hackney Council’s ambitious climate commitments and focus on local green businesses propel the borough toward a net zero target by 2040, while addressing uneven growth and infrastructure barriers within its communities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
In 2019, Hackney Council formally declared a climate emergency, recognising that global and national actions were insufficient to tackle the mounting crisis. As part of its ambitious response, the council launched the “Rebuilding a Greener Hackney” initiative, setting a target to reach net zero emissions by 2040, a full decade ahead of the UK’s national target. This bold commitment aimed not only to reduce emissions but also to empower local businesses and households with the resources necessary to transition towards a zero-carbon future.<\/p>\n
Early steps taken by the council included divesting from fossil fuels, planting thousands of trees across local green spaces, and championing community-driven projects such as the Library of Things, which allows residents to borrow household items, helping to promote a circular economy and reduce waste. These efforts demonstrated the council\u2019s determination to embed sustainability into everyday life within the borough.<\/p>\n
Building on this foundation, Hackney Council continued to develop its green economy. In 2023, it commissioned Oxford Economics to conduct an in-depth study of Hackney\u2019s green business sector. The report defined green businesses as those actively contributing to a shift towards a greener economy. It further distinguished between \u201cdark green\u201d businesses, which are wholly dedicated to environmental objectives, and \u201clight green\u201d businesses, which are in transition or have potential to contribute more fully.<\/p>\n
According to the report, Hackney is home to 301 green economy businesses, with 251 classified as dark green. These businesses collectively support approximately 880 jobs, spanning three sub-sectors: reduce, reuse, recycle and repair; climate change strategy; and power. The report identified Hackney as a prime location for green businesses, citing factors such as ample green space, the proximity of customers, and the vibrant local culture as significant draws.<\/p>\n
A key asset highlighted was the borough’s strong grassroots network of interconnected green enterprises. Around half of these businesses engage in trade or collaboration with others within Hackney or London-based green firms, fostering a collaborative ecosystem. Companies such as logistics providers Zhero and Zedify, along with goods suppliers like Growing Communities and Yodomo, play crucial roles in facilitating this network by bridging smaller firms through their services.<\/p>\n
However, despite these strengths, growth has been unevenly distributed within the borough. Over 40% of Hackney\u2019s green businesses are concentrated in Hoxton West, and a further third are located in Hoxton East and Shoreditch, while other areas such as Hackney Wick host only a small share. Affordability concerns and unsuitable premises, along with congestion and traffic, have led roughly half of these businesses to contemplate moving elsewhere within three years, underscoring the need for policy intervention.<\/p>\n
The council has acknowledged these findings and incorporated several recommendations into its draft Economic Development Plan, which is currently under review. The plan underscores a commitment to making Hackney\u2019s economy climate resilient and sustainable. Proposals include helping green businesses access affordable premises, boosting green infrastructure, and broadening the green economy\u2019s geographical reach within the borough. The council also aims to mainstream circular economy practices and support landlords and businesses to “green” their operations.<\/p>\n
This responsive approach builds upon earlier council investments, such as the \u00a325 million fund launched in 2020 dedicated to embedding net zero commitments across municipal services. Past achievements include switching council buildings to 100% renewable electricity, establishing a publicly owned energy firm, upgrading street lighting to LED, improving home energy efficiency, and launching a Green Homes programme.<\/p>\n
More recently, Hackney accelerated its net zero ambitions by bringing forward the target date for decarbonising council buildings and its transport fleet to 2030. This aligns with the UK100 climate network\u2019s pledge and reflects a growing urgency to meet environmental goals sooner. The council\u2019s Pension Fund also committed to net zero by 2040, targeting a 50% reduction in its carbon footprint by 2030 and increasing climate-related investments, further underscoring Hackney\u2019s integrated approach to climate strategy.<\/p>\n
Despite these strides, the Oxford Economics report rightly emphasises that green networks flourish best when driven by community ethos and grassroots collaboration. It recommends deeper council engagement with local green procurement and business networks to catalyse growth and resilience. Far from being a financial burden, such engagement is positioned as a strategic investment benefiting the borough economically and environmentally as the national green sector expands.<\/p>\n
In summary, Hackney Council\u2019s proactive climate emergency measures have positioned the borough as a leader in urban sustainability and green economic development. The success of its approach, however, hinges on continued support for the green business network, infrastructure investment, and ensuring that growth is equitable across all parts of Hackney. As the council\u2019s climate ambitions evolve, the fostering of a vibrant, collaborative green economy remains both a challenge and a vital opportunity for the borough\u2019s future.<\/p>\n