London ‘Climate Budgeting’ sets out emissions reductions for GLA Group
Sadiq Khan has published a consultation document on proposals for the draft Greater London Authority (GLA) Group budget, including a major win for the environment.
For the first time ever, the chief political voice of the UK capital has introduced ‘Carbon Budgeting’ to the process. This essentially sets out plans and targets for bodies including Transport for London (TfL), the Metropolitan Police Service, and London Fire Brigade to achieve net zero carbon emissions across all operations by the end of this decade.
This included both funded and confirmed actions already in the pipeline, and unfunded projects that will be needed in order to achieve the ambitious aim. Perhaps most significantly, this will involve all fleets that fall under the budget, including police cars and fire engines, switching to electric engines, with heating inside stations and all TfL buildings also set to move away from fossil fuels.
This will require a significantly expanded electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the city and solar panel installations throughout relevant estates. Khan has been quick to point out that the costs will be greater than the GLA Group alone can cover, and transition should not be at the expense of service delivery. London boroughs, central government, public and private sector investment will therefore be needed, with the idea of ‘Climate Budgeting’ chiefly driven by a desire to help these organisations plan for what is needed.
‘I’m more determined than ever that we continue to build a safer, fairer, greener and more prosperous London for everyone – and this is what’s at the heart of this consultation budget,’ said Khan. ‘We have already delivered a 53 per cent reduction in carbon emissions within the Greater London Authority Group, and we are now introducing for the first time the concept of ‘Climate Budgeting’, which will help TfL, the Met Police and the London Fire Brigade identify what is needed to achieve net-zero carbon by 2030. The climate crisis is the biggest threat we face, and this budget will ensure London remains at the forefront of the fight.’
Image: Benjamin Davies