Boroughs announce knowledge partnerships to tackle climate change

London Councils and London Higher have today announced five new knowledge partnerships between five borough-led climate programmes and four universities across London.

London Councils and London Higher have facilitated the knowledge partnerships to connect academics and policymakers to support the work of the borough-led, pan-London climate programmes. This will enable boroughs to use the best available evidence and data in their work and help higher education partners boost their role in civic leadership.

Each knowledge partnership is a two-way relationship. Local action to tackle the climate emergency will now benefit from research from London’s top universities, and academics will learn from London boroughs about real-world implementation and working with London’s communities.

Commenting on the partnerships, Mayor Philip Glanville, Chair of London Councils Transport and Environment Committee, said:

“I am thrilled that London Councils and London Higher are announcing these knowledge partnerships today, which will allow academics and policymakers to join forces and work with borough-led programmes aiming to cut carbon emissions and create a more sustainable and inclusive future for our city.

“The impressive spread of partnerships and expertise across boroughs and institutions will enhance London Councils’ climate programmes and allow them to flourish even more. Together, we can create and champion solutions to embed urban green living in our communities, ensure the transition to a net zero economy is a just one, and create the skills and jobs our residents so desperately need.”

Dr Diana Beech, CEO of London Higher said:

“I am delighted that London Higher and London Councils have joined forces to launch these five ambitious knowledge partnerships. Working together, these truly pan-London programmes will create a real sense of cross-city collaboration, formed between the lead boroughs and London Higher members with genuine expertise and interest in each of these areas.

By introducing councils to universities elsewhere in the city, not just those local to the lead borough, we hope that these programmes will help to establish long-lasting relationships between local councils and universities right across London, and will go on to form the blueprint for the use of university expertise city-wide.”

Dr Peter Bonfield, Vice-Chancellor and President of University of Westminster, Lead institution on ‘Creating a resilient and green London’ and ‘Low-carbon transport’ programmes and Vice Chair of London Higher, said:

“We are delighted to partner with Kingston and City of Westminster and Southwark Council on two of the knowledge partnerships announced today.

Supporting the programme with up-to-date data and evidence, and keeping the programme abreast of new policy-relevant literature will help policymakers understand and shape their evidence needs. By acting as a bridge to the wider academic sector, we hope that these partnerships serve as a model for future university- local government relationships.”

ENDS

Notes to editors: 

1) The full table of knowledge partnerships is below:

Programme and knowledge partner

 

Target

Knowledge partner

Lead Borough(s)

Retrofit London

 

Retrofit all domestic and non-domestic buildings to an average level of EPC B.
 

London South Bank University

Enfield and Waltham Forest

Low-carbon development

 

 

Secure low carbon buildings and infrastructure via borough planning.
 

Brunel University London

Hackney

Low-carbon transport

 

Halve road journeys made by petrol and diesel via combined measures that can restrict polluting journeys and incentivise sustainable and active travel options.
 

University of Westminster 

Kingston and City of Westminster

One world living

 

Reduce consumption emissions by two thirds, focusing on food, clothing, electronics and plastics.
 

The Grantham Institute for Climate Change & the Environment, Imperial College London

 

Harrow

Creating a resilient and green London.

 

Ensuring London is resilient to climate change and enhancing green and blue infrastructure.

 

University of Westminster

Southwark

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