Economy and Infrastructure

London Councils: Collaboration is central to tackling climate change

Source: PSE Feb/Mar 20

Cllr Julian Bell, Chair of London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee

Taking ambitious action to stop climate change is high on London boroughs’ agenda. With dire warnings from the scientific community about the consequences of unchecked global temperature rises, most boroughs committing to declarations of climate emergency requiring action by 2030 and urgent local challenges such as flooding - we have very little time to waste.

The majority of London boroughs - 28 to date - have gone on the record with their climate change ambitions by passing motions declaring a climate emergency, and the rest are recognising the issue in other ways such as setting targets and creating action plans.

Finding political and practical solutions to delivering carbon reductions that also secure the wellbeing of Londoners is no easy task, especially when you consider the sheer scale of the challenge before us in a huge, complex city like London. Council officers and local politicians across the capital were quick to realise that collaboration would be central to making progress.

Following a great deal of thought and discussion as well as a series of in-depth workshops, London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee and the London Environment Directors’ Network developed six major programmes of collaborative pan-London work in areas of emissions reductions that will be integral to the achievement of every borough’s targets:

1. Retrofit London: Retrofit all domestic and non-domestic buildings to an average level of EPC B. Programme timescale: 2020 – 2030.
2. Low-carbon development: Secure low carbon buildings and infrastructure via borough planning. Programme timescale: 2020 – 2022.
3. Halve petrol and diesel road journeys: Halve road journeys made by petrol and diesel via combined measures that can restrict polluting journeys and incentivise sustainable and active travel options. Programme timescale: 2020 – 2030.
4. Renewable power for London: Secure 100% renewable energy for London’s public sector now and in the future. Programme timescale: 2020 – 2030.
5. Reduce consumption emissions: Reduce consumption emissions by two thirds, focusing on food, clothing, electronics and aviation. Programme timescale: 2020 – 2030.
6. Build the green economy: Develop London’s low carbon sector and green our broader economy. Programme timescale: 2020 – 2030.

This year, London Councils and LEDNet will be working with boroughs to embed cross-cutting teams and resources that can deliver these programmes. By pooling resources, sharing best practice, building capability and making connections with other boroughs, we stand the best chance of building the zero-carbon future our residents deserve.