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London Climate Change Plan applauded

Posted: 01/03/2007

Free loft and cavity wall insulation will form part of a comprehensive plan to cut London’s carbon emissions. The Mayor’s Climate Change Action Plan - 'Action Today to Protect Tomorrow' - spearheaded by Ken Livingstone, shows that Londoners don't have to reduce their quality of life to tackle climate change, but they do need to change the way they live.

"There must be a decisive shift from an economy in which large amounts of energy are produced, and large amounts wasted, to an economy in which energy is conserved" said the Mayor. The Action Plan demonstrates that cutting carbon emissions will also deliver financial benefits.

The Mayor launched four programmes which will form the basis of the Plan - greener homes, businesses, energy and transport. £78 million will be reprioritised over three years within existing Greater London Authority finances this year to launch these programmes.

The green homes plan sets out how annual domestic carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced by 7.7 million tonnes by 2025. By making homes more energy efficient, the average London household could save £300 per year on their fuel bills, as well as cutting emissions. The Mayor announced that he will be offering cut-price loft and cavity wall insulation, available across the whole of London to every home that can benefit from it. The offer will be totally free for people on benefits and we will particularly look to ensure that older Londoners can take advantage.

Decentralised energy, such as combined heat and power schemes are seen as a vital part of the strategy. The Action Plan sets a target to move a quarter of London’s energy supply off the National Grid and on to more efficient, local energy systems by 2025.

The Action Plan also shows that, without action, London’s carbon emissions will grow from 44 million tonnes to 52 million tonnes by 2025. This means that by 2025 London must produce 33 million tonnes less of CO2 than its current levels - an annual emissions reduction of 4 per cent a year. 20 million tonnes of this reduction can be achieved through the actions set out in the Mayor's Action Plan.

A further 13 million tons requires additional national and international action. The Action Plan sets out that the problem is not that new technologies are required but that the government needs to introduce comprehensive carbon pricing to encourage the faster take-up of existing energy efficiency measures.

John Sauven, director of Greenpeace, said: "Ken Livingstone is showing how the largest city in Europe can combat climate change. No other leader is on the same page. The Government talks about cutting emissions, but is unwilling to confront the vested interests in the power sector, the building industry, the aviation lobby and the motor industry. Ken Livingstone is prepared to lead and take risks in responding to the challenge of climate change".

Siân Berry, Green Party Principal Speaker pointed out that climate change was already having an effect.. "We are one of the most vulnerable cities to the effects of climate change. In the past six years, the Thames Barrier, built to defend London from flooding, has been raised a staggering 56 times, compared with just three times in first six years after in was built in the 1980s", she said. "We can lead the way with our actions in London, but curbing aviation growth and bringing radical policies like personal carbon allowances are down to central government. We need to see a real change at the top."

Carlo Laurenzi of London Wildlife Trust was also enthusiastic about the Climate Change Plan, and commented - ‘London Wildlife Trust wholly supports the Mayor’s aim to slash carbon emissions in London to mitigate the effects of climate change. We are delighted the Mayor is supporting Londoners to have greener homes and businesses. We urge that wherever possible natural strategies should be employed, like green roofs, which will not only reduce energy waste but will help both wildlife and people to cope with changing conditions.

‘Adaptation is also key to helping London cope with climate change and we look forward to the Mayor’s report on this in the near future. Connected green space and environmentally sympathetic planning in developments, such as the Thames Gateway and the Olympics, are vital for survival of wildlife, the ecosystem services on which we depend and for a resilient city in a changing climate. In extreme weather conditions, a green infrastructure will help reduce the volume and rate of rainwater run-off and help keep the city cool.

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