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Hackbridge in Sutton is abuzz with ideas during a special week, 25th February to 1st March, as people who live and work in the area get together to design the zero carbon suburb of the future.

Sutton Council and local sustainability specialists BioRegional are working in partnership with residents, community groups and businesses in the area to turn Hackbridge into the UK's first zero-carbon sustainable suburb. The partnership, known as Sustainable Hackbridge Initiative, has organised Hackbridge Week in order for residents to contribute their ideas and suggestions for the area, currently a community of approximately 2,500 homes and workplaces.

Hackbridge Week is featuring a full programme of events and workshops on the improvements needed in housing, transport, job opportunities, health services, schools and community facilities, including:

• a series of lively workshops for residents and businesses to share their ideas on how Sutton can achieve zero-carbon status by 2025
• One-Planet Hackbridge – sessions on how sustainable living is easy, attractive and affordable.
• The plight of local flooding and droughts – a session on water efficiency, on how to use rain and waste water sustainably, and measures to reduce local flooding and droughts.
• with rising energy prices, the energy efficiency project will show residents how to keep their homes warm while saving money and reducing CO2 emissions. Energy consumption is a key cause of climate change, and a massive 15% of the ecological footprint of Sutton; the project will also look at generating renewable energy locally.

Zero-Waste – a waste reduction workshop aimed at helping Hackbridge hit 70% recycling rate and exploring the treatment options for the remaining 30%.

Sutton has been at the forefront of sustainable living for years. Hackbridge is home to BedZED, the UK's first mainstream eco-village; which reduces CO2 emissions from its buildings by 56%.

Sutton Council Executive Member for the Environment Cllr Colin Hall said:
"People living and working in the area are champions of the environment and it is their ideas, their energy and their enthusiasm that will help transform Hackbridge and ultimately Sutton, into the UK's first zero-carbon suburb.

"This area has long been a showcase for green living and Hackbridge week is a chance for the community to decide how we make Hackbridge a better place for everyone. We intend to blaze a trail on one planet living for others to follow."

Jessica Hodge, One Planet Living in Sutton Manager at BioRegional, said:
"If everyone in the world lived like we do in Hackbridge we'd need 3 planets to support us. Hackbridge Week is good opportunity for residents to think about what they can do to reduce their environmental impact at the same time as helping to make Hackbridge, and the whole Sutton borough, a happier and healthier place to live."