As London Climate Action Week 2024 approaches, join us in celebrating the city’s achievements.
Under the leadership of C40 Co-Chair and Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, the city has emerged as a global leader in climate action. From improving air quality to funding renewable energy initiatives, these examples showcase London’s dedication to a greener, more resilient future.
Cleaning the air and protecting health
Air pollution is a major environmental health risk, causing 6.7 million premature deaths annually and disproportionately affecting marginalised communities.
Mayor Sadiq Khan made bold strides by expanding London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) to all of Greater London in 2023. This expansion, the largest of its kind worldwide, significantly reduces harmful pollution, enhances air quality, and safeguards the health of 9 million Londoners.
Advancing renewable energy
The London Community Energy Fund supports the installation of community-owned solar panels and other low-carbon heating and energy-saving systems in schools, places of worship, leisure centres, and community buildings.
This initiative promotes sustainable energy use at the grassroots level, reducing the city’s carbon footprint. It is just one of many actions the city is leading as part of its pledge to power a green and just transition through C40’s Renewable Energy Accelerator.
Divesting from fossil fuels
A signatory of C40’s Divesting from Fossil Fuels, Investing in a Sustainable Future Accelerator, London is taking action to show its commitment to divesting from fossil fuel companies and championing investments in the green economy.
In 2022, the London Pension Fund Authority, worth around £8 billion, successfully divested from its last extractive fossil fuel investments. This move underscores London’s commitment to a sustainable future, redirecting investments toward greener alternatives.
Boosting urban nature
Urban nature plays a vital role in resilience and enhancing city life for people. The Rewild London Fund has granted £1.45 million to 41 initiatives focused on nature conservation and habitat restoration. Notably, 2023 saw the reintroduction of beavers to West London after a 400-year absence, symbolising a renewed commitment to biodiversity.
Creating good, green jobs
At the 2022 C40 World Mayors Summit in Buenos Aires, C40, led by Mayor Sadiq Khan, committed to creating 50 million good, green jobs by 2030. London exemplifies this effort through initiatives like the Green Skills Academy. By March 2024, the academy had trained over 6,500 people and helped secure green jobs for 3,350, focusing on skills development in retrofitting, green spaces, renewable energy, electric vehicles, and low-carbon transport.
These examples underscore how London, under Mayor Khan’s leadership, is paving the way for a sustainable and resilient future where everyone can thrive. Mayor Khan’s historic re-election to a third term, with a campaign run on a strong climate platform, sets a powerful example for cities worldwide to embrace urgent and inclusive climate action.
Keep up-to-date with London Climate Action Week on our social channels X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook from 24–28 June.