In response to today's progress report by the Climate Change Committee (CCC), Mayor Philip Glanville, London Councils’ Climate Change, Transport and Environment Lead, said:
“The need to work together in tackling the climate crisis has never been more pressing. Today’s report highlights just how vast the net zero challenge is and sets out that we are not currently on track to meet it. London boroughs are committed to play our part in securing a greener, more sustainable capital for all Londoners as we transition to net zero.
“As today’s report makes clear, in order to meet national net zero targets, deeper collaboration with local government is a vital linchpin. In order to have effective strategy to achieve long-lasting net zero goals, we need to bring everyone along with us, through our citizens, our businesses and our communities, at a local level. Getting a real recognition of local government's crucial role in reaching net zero was hard won at COP26, this report reiterates that we now need action to make it happen.
“The transition to net zero brings real benefits, including improvements to public health, reducing inequality and supporting economic development and innovation. It also clear that decisive action on climate change will help reduce household costs, in the midst of the cost of living crisis that is increasingly affecting London’s diverse communities.
“That’s why we need long-term, continuous funding security, backed by new powers, to put our net zero goals into action. We also need extended visibility of what is expected of local government as we look towards safeguarding our capital in the fight against climate change. We welcome the recently established Local Net Zero Forum as a step in the right direction to start addressing these challenges, but we need it to start galvanising action and see it have a greater understanding of the part local government will play.
“In order to tackle the climate emergency effectively, we need to collaborate across all sectors. We look forward to working closely with government departments and local authorities nationwide to ensure the path to net zero includes all Londoners.”
ENDS