Mayor of London launches updated plan for 'greening' London today, as Labour looks to bolster climate credentials
London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Shadow Net Zero and Energy Security Secretary Ed Miliband have teamed up to today launch a 10-point climate action plan for London ahead of the upcoming Mayoral and local elections.
The strategy sets out proposals to install solar panels on school roofs, make London's bus fleet 100 per cent zero emission by 2030, deliver 40,000 new public bike parking spaces, and deploy 23,000 more electric vehicle (EV) charging points.
Launching the plan at a North London school today, Khan is highlighted the positive impact his existing air pollution and climate initiatives have already had on the city.
"I'm proud of what we've done in London to tackle air pollution and the climate crisis," he said. "It's not been easy - I've faced resistance and pressure from many quarters. But it was the right thing to do and has proven to be very effective, with roadside nitrogen dioxide pollution cut in half across London and saved hundreds of thousands of tonnes of carbon emissions.
"I'm determined to go even further with a new 10-point climate action plan for our city, which includes exciting new initiatives like putting solar panels on school roofs across our city."
The Mayor's new climate action plan includes the launch of a new Net Zero Schools initiative, designed to help schools in London become more energy efficient and generate clean power onsite. It proposes £2m of funding for the installation solar panels, heat pumps, and energy efficiency measures at 50 schools across the capital.
The strategy, which reiterates Khan's existing target to deliver a net zero capital by 2030, also includes measures to plant more trees and create new green spaces, increase investment in walking and cycling networks, and create new jobs in growing green industries like renewable energy.
The Labour politicians have launched the 10-point plan just three weeks before Londoners go to the polls to elect the Mayor.
Khan, who is seeking a third term, also branded his Conservative opponent Susan Hall as a "proud anti-green candidate" who takes a "Trumpian approach to the climate crisis".
"This election is a close two-horse race between me and the Tory candidate," he said. "When it comes to the green agenda, the choice couldn't be starker. There is so much at risk - clean air and London's commitment to reaching net zero are on the ballot paper on 2 May."
Miliband also positioned the upcoming London election as a pivotal moment for the UK's efforts to tackle climate change.
"The mayoral election in London is so important," he said. "Who runs our capital city is a defining question of whether we can win the fight against the accelerating climate emergency or not. It's a close two-horse race and it's a choice between Sadiq, who has been a true climate leader as Mayor and will deliver a greener, healthier, brighter future for London, or a retrograde step with the Tory candidate."
Paul Morozzo, climate campaigner at Greenpeace UK, welcomed Labour's climate plan, arguing the Conservative Party's proposals for the capital would leave Londoners more vulnerable to climate change.
"Sadiq is leading the way," he said. "Londoners want politicians who are serious about climate action and his 10 point plan is a good start. People know that climate solutions will not only help the planet, they will help people struggling with the cost of living, a stagnant economy and crumbling public services.
"We all deserve better than politicians who are willing to leave us unshielded from climate impacts. Whether it's Susan Hall in London, or Rishi Sunak in Westminster, the Conservatives will lose if they don't start taking the climate seriously."
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