The epicentre of the UK capital has won the accolade for a second year running.
Square Mile governing body, the City of London Corporation, has been ranked on the ‘A-List’ by non-profit Carbon Disclosure Project [CDP]. The authority placed similarly in the last results, 2023. Just 15% of 800 global cities included in the analysis receive the honour.
Among other things, recognition centres on showing strong leadership towards tackling the climate crisis at a local level and transparency over decision making processes and roadmaps. Wide-ranging efforts to reduce carbon emissions and robust plans for adaptation were commended in particular.
The Corporation now committed to full operational net zero by 2027, and borough-wide and full value chain decarbonisation by 2040. To reduce the urban heat island effect, streets have been cooled by up to 6C in summer through the creation of shade pockets, which was cited as another major victories. Meanwhile, other initiatives included the launch of an Historic Buildings Retrofit Toolkit and publication of a Local Area Energy Plan. The authority is also the first to use a 100% renewable powered, zero-emission refuse vehicle fleet.
‘We’re proud to be recognised again as a global leader in climate action. Reaching net zero is not just a moral imperative – it’s an economic opportunity to attract investment and innovation to the UK,’ said Chris Hayward, City of London Corporation Policy Chairman. ‘Amidst the backdrop of increasing global uncertainty, one certainty prevails: the persistent threat of climate change and the City stands ready to play a leading role in meeting this challenge.’
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