Cutting emissions across the capital
27-7-2006
The Mayor of London Ken Livingstone today (Thursday 27th July 2006) launched a report at the renewable energy company, solarcentury, to give support and advice to London boroughs to help them meet their target to cut emissions.
The Towards Zero Carbon Developments report, produced by the London Energy Partnership gives advice on how the boroughs help to meet the target set in the Mayor's Energy Strategy and referred to in the London Plan to have a zero- carbon development in their borough by 2010.
The report includes practical advice about how local authorities can use their powers to encourage zero carbon developments. It offers an overview of key arguments officers can use in discussion with developers, and lessons to be learnt and pitfalls to avoid when taking forward proposed developments. It includes relevant current planning policy issues and features case studies.
Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said: 'Tackling climate change is the single most important task facing humanity. Energy use in buildings accounts for nearly three quarters of London's carbon emissions and so it is vital that new developments are as energy efficient as possible. That is why my Energy Strategy sets a target for boroughs to have one zero carbon development in each borough by 2010. These will accelerate innovation, creating shared knowledge on how to design and build the kind of buildings that will be essential to the long-term challenge of fighting climate change in urban areas. I am pleased to launch this report which will help the boroughs to meet this target.'
David Green, Chair of the London Energy Partnership said: 'Putting London on track to a low carbon economy means that we need to ensure key professionals have the tools to do the job. That is why we have worked closely with planners, architects, engineers and developers to ensure they have the information they need to deliver zero carbon developments.
'The London Energy Partnership is about bringing together everyone with a role to play in improving the energy performance of London's housing stock and reducing London's carbon emissions, and this is one example of just how we are doing this.'
Jeremy Leggett, Chief Executive of solarcentury said: 'As practitioners of low carbon building, it is often frustrating for us that people don't know how relatively easy it is to marry energy efficiency with solar and other renewable micropower technologies and achieve deep cuts, or even zero emissions, in buildings. We are thrilled by the leadership shown by London, and its constituent boroughs, are showing in the drive for low carbon buildings, and look forward in playing our part in the industry that will deliver the Mayor's vision. This vision is much more feasible than most people realise, and as the Mayor says, it is environmentally and economically imperative that we achieve it.'
Earlier this week the Mayor announced that he is seeking a development partner to work with him and the London Development Agency on London's zero carbon development. A three acre site at Gallions Park in the Albert Docks has been selected for the chosen partner to build 200 high quality new homes. The development will incorporate the best of modern construction and energy technology to ensure it produces virtually zero carbon emissions. This development aims to demonstrate that zero carbon developments can be commercially and financially viable in the UK.
Notes to Editors
1. The London Energy Partnership commissioned the Centre for Sustainable Energy, in partnership with the London Borough of Merton Planning Officers, to provide supportive information for boroughs.
2. The Towards Zero Carbon Developments report has been funded by the Department of Trade and Industry and the Greater London Authority. The DTI, GLA, London Development Agency, Energy Saving Trust and Argent Group Plc provide core funding for the London Energy Partnership. The report is available here.
3. The London Energy Partnership was launched by the Mayor on Monday 26 January 2004. Working as an independent body, the London Energy Partnership uses the power of partnership to enable London to respond to the challenges of climate change, security of energy supply and fuel poverty. The London Energy Partnership steering group members and observers include representatives from Argent Group Plc, Business Councils for Sustainable Energy UK, Carbon Trust, EDF Energy, Energy Saving Trust, RBC Capital Markets, Greater London Authority, Government Office for London, London Borough's Energy Group, London Climate Change Agency, London Development Agency, London Sustainability Exchange, Renewable Energy Association, London South Bank University and Thames Gateway London Partnership.
4. The Mayor's Energy Strategy is available at www.london.gov.uk/mayor/environment/energy/index.jsp
5. For media enquiries please call Nicola Dillon in the Mayor's Press Office on 020 7983 4755.
For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000.
For non-media enquiries please call the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.