Local environmental group Ealing Transition have criticised Ealing Council's New Local Plan for not going far enough to tackle the climate crisis. 

Ealing Council launched the consultation for their New Local Plan on 30th November, running until 25th January, to outline how they hope to shape life in the borough in the next 15 years. 

However, local environmental group Ealing Transition, who promote sustainable living, said that the plan in its current form is not detailed enough and does not tackle the climate crisis seriously enough. 

In a statement on their website, Ealing Transition said: "Ealing Council has identified "Tackling the Climate Crisis", "Fighting Equality", and "Creating Good Jobs and Growth" as its priorities. 

"While we welcome the general ambition, we note the lack of detailed targets in the document, and challenge the notion of the climate and ecological emergency as a "cosy crisis" in which we carry on with the usual assumptions of business as usual. 

"We encourage the Council to be more ambitious and take urgent action now addressing the climate and ecological emergencies, and supporting the shift to a sustainable economy.  

"It is imperative that the Plan reflects the urgent need for immediate change in all areas of the Ealing community. 

"We are concerned that the stated vision behind the plan and the unstated assumptions which underpin it appear to reflect unsustainable 'business as usual' in the midst of a Climate Crisis. 

"Local Plans should Include an understanding of the baseline CO2 emissions within the council area, and the emissions inherent in future development within the plan period. 

"The Plan should clearly demonstrate how it will contribute to a 100% reduction of emissions of CO2 by 2050 as required by the Climate Change Act." 

Ealing Transition offered an alternative direction that the council could take in order to make the New Local Plan more suited to tackling environmental issues. 

They said: "More growth inevitably means more consumption, construction, energy use, land use and so greater negative impact on our climate. 

"The alternative model provided by 'Doughnut Economics' which ensures no one is in the hole in the middle without essential resources, whilst not exceeding the planet's boundaries, would be a more appropriate model. 

"Support for sustainable and regenerative jobs needs to be facilitated within our local communities, serving and supported by local people thus enhancing mutual accountability and quality of employment. 

"Any essential new building projects need to meet criteria of zero carbon emissions during construction and subsequent use and actual on-site energy generation. 

"It is essential they do not disrupt or risk the destruction of green spaces or green corridors that allow the movement of flora and fauna. 

"This Local Plan needs to be clearly defined as a plan to reduce climate-damaging emissions and to develop community resilience to climate change, particularly given the forecast increased risks of flooding, heatwaves and as is currently apparent, food and energy insecurity."