Lambeth Council has debated its response to the climate emergency, with councillors discussing measures to protect residents, workers, and children from its escalating impacts. The council meeting on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, saw a Green Party motion on the climate emergency spark significant debate, with amendments proposed by the Liberal Democrats and Labour groups.

The core motion highlighted the urgency of the climate crisis, referencing record-breaking temperatures and their disproportionate impact on vulnerable residents. Councillor Jacqueline Bond of the Green Group emphasised the need for immediate action, referencing the record temperatures experienced that summer and the estimated 2,900 excess deaths linked to heatwaves. She called for Shell, headquartered in Lambeth, to contribute to climate adaptation costs and urged national government action to stop new drilling licences and provide resources for local authorities.

The amended motion, which was ultimately carried, includes a commitment to a summit of schools in the borough to catalyse action within the next four months, a Liberal Democrat amendment. It also incorporates Labour's achievements in reducing toxic air pollution, with a 51 percent reduction across Vauxhall and over 25 percent in Brixton. Furthermore, the council has planted 12,000 new trees from 2022 to 2026, achieved green flag recognition in 26 of its parks, and established 45 school streets to encourage walking, cycling, and public transport.

Councillor John-Paul Ennis of the Labour Group acknowledged the Green Party's early declaration of a climate emergency but highlighted Labour's achievements in reducing toxic air pollution and investing in green spaces. He stressed that tackling the climate emergency requires a collective effort and building on existing progress.

The motion also calls on the National Government to rule out approval of any new fossil fuel extraction projects or permits, rule out approval of a third runway at Heathrow and reverse its decision to expand Gatwick airport, and reverse its decision to delay targets for electric vehicles. Additionally, it urges the government to commit to providing local authorities with the necessary funding and powers to properly tackle the climate crisis, partly funded by a windfall tax on oil and gas companies. Councillor Matthew Bryant of the Liberal Democrats supported this call for national government action.

Councillor Doug Buist, representing the Liberal Democrats, proposed an amendment focusing on a school climate resilience plan. He advocated for practical solutions such as improved shading, solar-powered air conditioning, and adjusted school hours to minimise school closures during heatwaves.

Beyond the school resilience plan, the council is considering other practical solutions. The Green motion called for more trees, community solar, we need retrofitting, we need to take real action, seriously, quickly and together. It also proposed instructing officers to conduct a review into safe working practices during extreme heat events, with a view to introducing maximum temperatures for Council employees. Furthermore, officers are to review Lambeth's planning guidance to support residents in retrofitting their homes with essential climate adaptations, including in conservation areas. The council will also use its planning policies and powers to prioritise the retention of existing buildings over demolition, ensure new development is climate resilient, minimises whole-life and embodied carbon emissions, and promotes the use of low-carbon and carbon-storing materials.

Councillor Serafina Spicer of the Green Group critiqued the Labour amendment for its perceived lack of ambition and for downplaying government failures. Councillor Matthew Bryant of the Liberal Democrats supported the motion but questioned the feasibility of certain measures when the council is facing financial challenges. He stated, When the council is struggling to balance its books and at the same time has long-standing issues to address in housing provision and repairs, adult social care and children's services. It seems perverse to be prioritising measures such as this, which are going to take away officer time from the pressing matters at hand. The council currently has an estimated budget shortfall for 2027-28 of £19m, and additional direct costs from implementing Cabinet Committees will increase this gap.

Following debate and amendments, the motion, as amended, was carried, indicating a council-wide commitment to addressing the climate emergency through various proposed actions and collaborations. The substantive motion, as amended, was carried, and the council is not a member of Keep Britain Tidy, which runs campaigns on fly-tipping and littering and offers support to councils.