The Barnet Council NET ZERO challenge winners and highly commended runners-up were announced last night
Barnet Council’s NET ZERO challenge winners were announced at a special event to mark the end of Barnet Climate Action Month held at the RAF Museum in Hendon last night, Monday 15 July.
The collaborative initiative held by Middlesex University and the council, and sponsored by Hammersons, Microsoft and Natwest, invited those who, live, work or study in the Borough to design and then vote for the best carbon-reducing sustainability project, with the top three projects winning a share of £10,000 in prize money.
After an intensive selection process, experts from Middlesex, the Council and the Sponsors, chose three projects to go to the final, before asking the public to decide which was their favourite.
The winning projects are:
- 1st prize:
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.
- 2nd prize
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.
- 3rd prize:
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.
Competition winner, Fiona Quinton, said:
“I’m delighted to have won this important competition! Everyone says what a great idea it is to put green roofs on bus shelters, and I really hope that they become a reality in Barnet and across London.”
Cllr Schneiderman, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, said:
"I’ve been incredibly impressed by the range and quality of the ideas and designs from across the borough.
“This 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.”
The event marked the end of Barnet's first-ever Barnet Climate Action Month (BCAM), a month-long celebration aimed at promoting sustainability and driving collective action to combat climate change across the borough.
The evening featured an array of activities, including performances by acclaimed artist Riya Gadher, presentations from community action groups, and the announcement of the BarNET ZERO Challenge winners. The council also used the event to launch its annual report which can be found here: https://www.barnet.gov.uk/bzannualreport
Cllr Schneiderman continued:
“Barnet is committed to leading the way towards becoming one of London’s most sustainable boroughs, and our Climate Action Month allows us to celebrate the dedication to environmental action that our communities are already taking.”
Maggie Appleton, CEO of the Royal Air Force Museum, Colindale, said:
"The Museum is proud to work with colleagues at Barnet Council to take positive environmental action across the Museum, both internally and with our visitors.
“We are delighted to be a part of this important journey towards a greener future.