London boroughs commit to joint action on climate

London Councils is publishing new Climate Change Programme Action plans, which set out how boroughs will work collaboratively to reach Net Zero targets across the capital.  

The plans have been drawn from the ambitious Joint Statement on Climate Change which was agreed by London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee and London Environment Directors' Network. The statement committed London boroughs to delivering major programmes which address key climate change issues.

Each of London Councils’ Climate Change Programmes is led by one or two lead boroughs who will oversee and drive forward the implementation of each action plan. These include: Retrofit London - Retrofitting all domestic and non-domestic buildings to an average level of EPC B by 2030; Low Carbon Development – Securing and increasing low carbon buildings and infrastructure through borough planning; and Renewable Power for London - Securing 100 per cent renewable energy for London’s public sector now and in the future.

In order to ensure the transition to net zero is a just one, the plans have been designed to address and tackle inequalities across London’s diverse communities. They also highlight the need for more funding to tackle the climate emergency, highlighting that minimising climate change to safe levels will only be successful if we have proper funding and collaborate across all sectors to achieve it.

Mayor Philip Glanville, chair of London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee, said: “From confronting carbon emissions from motor vehicles, to building local green economies, and sourcing and creating sustainable energy, London boroughs are a key player in the transition to Net Zero.

“The recommendations highlighted by the London Councils Climate Change Programme Action Plans are crucial opportunities to make London cleaner, greener and more sustainable. For example, by focusing on boosting green skills, we will see an increase in jobs across London and the number of sectors embracing green skills and technologies.

“It is vital that we make a just transition to Net Zero that does not exclude or disadvantage any of London’s communities. That is why social justice is embedded in all of the Actions Plans. Boroughs are providing a leading example of how to collaborate to find proactive solutions on the journey to Net Zero. By implementing these plans across London’s boroughs and working with partners, we will tackle the climate emergency head on.”