London is underprepared for the climate crisis, report says

London needs more funding in order to reach net-zero and prepare for the effects of the climate crisis, says Leonie Cooper, Labour’s London Assembly Economy and Environment Spokesperson.

In the Green New Future report, Leonie Cooper claims that the government’s current approach to environmental initiatives risks side-lining the capital and falling short of the action needed on a national scale.

Based on this, Ms Cooper is calling on the government to accelerate action on making homes more energy-efficient and electrifying all forms of transport.

The report outlines that this could create 200,000 jobs across the UK, however, in order to achieve this the report highlights that the government must go further than their current £3bn investment in retrofitting.

The report also outlines that action is needed to make the capital more resilient to extreme weather, according to the report, 4,200 Londoners died in heatwaves last summer and approximately 2,000 excess winter deaths each year.

Ms Cooper says investment in green space and biodiversity would increase water drainage, reduce flood risks, and keep London cool.

Leonie Cooper AM, said: ‘Investment in green infrastructure goes hand in hand with the creation of the next generation of high-skilled jobs, which will fuel our capital’s economic recovery.

‘London is leading the way when it comes to its response to the climate emergency and the national approach now needs to align with this.

‘Despite the Mayor’s efforts to lay the foundations for London’s road towards clamping down on air pollution and meeting its 2030 net-zero carbon target, City Hall remains limited in the scope of its powers and resources to go even further.

‘Ministers should know that any support they give to green infrastructure projects in the capital will produce benefits for the rest of the country.

‘It’s clear Whitehall need to do far more to meet even their own, sluggish net-zero target of 2050. Far greater ambition is needed on the part of the Government to save Londoners’ jobs and avert a climate catastrophe.’

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