Barnet residents can choose green bus shelter roofs, approved reuse of mobility aids and eco-education sessions for families

a light switch with a crude cut out of chimmneys belching smoke and the words CO2 — Photo by Jas Min on Unsplash

Voting closes on 27th May for Barnet residents to chose between three sustainability project, designed by local experts. The winners taking home part of a total prize pot of £10,000 to help fund their idea.

The finalists of the ‘BarNET ZERO Challenge’, a collaborative initiative betwen Barnet Council and Middlesex University, were invited to present practical ideas for reducing carbon footprints.

After an intensive selection process, the top three finalists have been announced, and now the public has the opportunity to vote for them.

The finalists are:

Eco Mobility, by Anna Tobin – aims to revolutionise accessibility by creating an ‘approved used’ marketplace for mobility equipment, extending the life of these essential aids while reducing waste.
GRUBS – Green Roofs Upon Bus Shelters, by Fiona Quinton – proposes adding green roofs to bus shelters, enhancing biodiversity, cleaning the air, and improving the well-being of bus passengers.
Eco Learn & Play, by Karem Salas – offers fun, educational sessions for families, promoting sustainability through creative reuse of household items and fostering a sense of community.

Cllr Alan Schneiderman, Barnet Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, said: “The BarNET ZERO Challenge embodies the innovation and collaboration that we will need as we work together towards our ambitious goal of transforming Barnet into a net zero borough by 2042.

“I’ve been incredibly impressed by the range and quality of the ideas and designs we’ve seen so far, please do take part and vote for your favourite.”

Dr Chris Moon, Eco-Entrepreneur and Co-ordinator of the Joint Net Zero Action Group, Middlesex University, said: “The BarNET ZERO Challenge showcases the power of innovation and community engagement in tackling pressing environmental issues. We are proud to support these visionary projects.”

Sponsors Microsoft, NatWest, Brent Cross Shopping Centre, also provided support to contestants during workshops, using their expertise to help contestants refine their ideas.

Kerry Horvath, Head of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) at Hammerson, joint-owner of Brent Cross, which is serving as the venue for in-person voting on May 27, said: “Our vision is to create exceptional destinations that not only connect communities but also deliver a positive impact for generations to come. As a business we are committed to being net zero by 2030, so we are proud to be hosting BarNet Zero Challenge at Brent Cross, an initiative which aligns with our own ESG ambitions.”

The winners will be announced at the Barnet Climate Action Month launch event on 10 June 2024. The finalist with the most votes will receive £5,000, followed by £3,000 for second place and £2,000 for third place.

Information about the finalists and ways to vote can be found at https://engage.barnet.gov.uk/barnet-zero-finalists

Votes close 27th May 2024.

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