Zoë Garbett, 46, the first directly elected Green Mayor in the UK, secured 46.9% of the vote in Hackney. She now plans to link environmental action directly to social equality. Her administration will focus on how climate policy impacts Hackney's most deprived areas. By targeting high-deprivation wards, the team aims to ensure the green transition does not leave vulnerable residents behind.
A Historic Victory for the Green Party
She secured 46.9% of the vote[1] in the 2026 Hackney mayoral election. This result confirmed her position as the new leader of the borough.
Her win establishes a precedent for the Green Party of England and Wales. No other Green candidate has previously won a direct mayoral mandate in the country.
‘Climate at the Centre’: Policy Priorities for a Deprived Borough
Zoë Garbett plans to link environmental action directly to social equality. The new Mayor intends to place climate policy at the heart of Hackney's response to local deprivation. This strategy treats ecological health and economic justice as inseparable goals.
Green initiatives will target the borough's most diverse and vulnerable communities first. Garbett's administration aims to ensure that the transition to a greener economy does not leave behind residents in high-deprivation wards. The focus rests on addressing the specific needs of Hackney's varied populations.
Retrofitting existing housing remains a primary objective for the new administration. Improving energy efficiency in older buildings can lower costs for low-income households. This work will also reduce the borough's overall carbon footprint.
Expanding access to green spaces is another pillar of the mayoral plan. More parks and trees can help mitigate urban heat and improve mental health. These projects are designed to benefit areas currently lacking sufficient natural infrastructure.
Social justice will drive every environmental decision made by the Mayor. The administration seeks to integrate climate resilience with broader community support systems. No policy will be implemented without considering its impact on Hackney's most disadvantaged groups.
From Campaign to Cabinet: Garbett’s Political Background
Zoë Garbett has moved from campaigning to governing. The transition follows her recent election as the directly elected Mayor of Hackney[1].
Before taking office, Garbett served as a Councillor in the London Borough of Hackney[4]. She also held a role as a London Assembly Member[5].
Her new administration is now taking shape. Garbett has confirmed her final Cabinet team[3] following the local elections.
Governance begins now.
This team will manage the borough's transition toward the climate-focused policies promised during the campaign.
The new Cabinet team will now begin managing the borough's transition toward these climate-focused policies. Residents can expect the first wave of housing retrofit plans to emerge as the administration settles into office.
