Climate change is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, risk to London. I want to put our city at the leading edge of the fight against this risk. But London can’t take on this challenge alone. That’s why I have joined forces with leaders of world cities to find ways that we can create cleaner, greener, better and healthier cities together.
In my new role as Vice Chair on the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40) Steering Committee, I will ensure that London is a beacon to the world and helps to generate the opportunities that will accelerate the pace of change to create better cities for all.
I want London to be the leader in low-carbon innovation and industry, cleaning up our dangerously polluted air, and setting out an ambitious long-term plan for clean energy in our capital. As the founding city of C40, London has always been a leader on the issue of climate change and a proud supporter of this innovative network of megacities.
It’s about having joint actions on environmental issues and sharing innovation. It’s about ensuring that the green market scales up operations and lowers the price of green technology. I will make sure that the opportunities and benefits are available to all.
In my first week as Mayor, I announced ground-breaking action on air quality, including bringing forward the Ultra-Low Emission Zone and new charges for the oldest, most polluting vehicles. My new programme Energy for Londoners will help to create a low-carbon London, especially as City Hall has been directed by Ofgem to advertise an application for a new type of junior electricity supply licence. If granted, London will be the first local authority in the UK to hold a special ‘licence lite’ licence that will buy energy from small low and zero carbon energy generators and sell it directly to the public sector to help meet their electricity needs.
I am thrilled to have won the vote of confidence from Mayors all across Europe, and I look forward to the next meeting of the C40 Steering Committee, which will take place here at London’s City Hall in August.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan was recently elected to the role of Vice Chair on the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40) Steering Committee. Mayors serving as Vice Chairs on the Steering Committee represent the geographically diverse members of the global network and Mayor Khan will represent the Europe region, alongside Copenhagen.