Sadiq Khan's Third Term: Transforming London into a Zero-Carbon Capital
Building a "fairer, safer, greener" city for all
Cities cover about 3 percent of the Earth’s surface, but they are responsible for more than 75 percent of greenhouse emissions, with transportation and buildings among the largest contributors. This high percentage is attributed to the concentration of economic activities, energy use, and transportation in urban areas.
As a result, cities play a crucial role in global efforts to reduce emissions and combat climate change. It is vital to put all cities in a position to become climate neutral, and many cities in the world have already taken the lead and have ambitious goals, in many cases more ambitious than at a national level.
Sadiq Khan has recently secured, by a clear margin, a third term as Mayor of London. Two weeks before the May 2 elections, he announced his manifesto for a “fairer, safer, greener London,” which includes policies focused on young Londoners, such as free lunchtime meals for state primary school children and ‘baby banks’ for essentials. He pledged to build 40.000 council homes by 2030.
He also reaffirmed his 2020 plan to make London a net-zero carbon city by 2030. This means that the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted into the atmosphere will be reduced to the point that is balanced by the equivalent amount removed from the atmosphere.
This ambitious plan aims to make London a greener, cleaner, and healthier city by reducing air pollution, increasing green public spaces, and achieving zero-carbon status with efficient energy use and increased recycling.
Race to Zero
London is one of 1049 cities to have so far signed up to the Race to Zero, the world’s largest alliance of non-state actors committed to halving emissions – at the very least – by 2040 or sooner. Having pledged to the Race to Zero initiative, the city government has agreed on the following activities:
Public endorsement of principles acknowledging the global climate emergency and committing to maintain global heating below the 1.5°C target set by the Paris Agreement. The city government has aimed to reduce the amount of greenhouse emissions emitted in London by 40 per cent from 1990 levels in 2018-2022, which was a greater reduction than that set by the Government. The London Energy and Greenhouse Gas Inventory (LEGGI) indicates that in 2021, London’s CO2e emissions were 28.7 million tonnes, down from 31.5 MtCO2e in 2019 (pre-pandemic). Over the longer term, emissions are 37 per cent lower than 1990 levels and 44 per cent below the peak of emissions in 2000.
Developing an integrated strategy that consolidates approaches to all aspects of London’s environment. It requires not just extensive consultation but also the active engagement of all stakeholders.
Implementing specific initiatives, such as the establishment of an energy company offering fair prices and green tariffs funding for tree planting and green spaces, measures to reduce single-use plastic bottles and cut London’s food waste by 50 per cent per person by 2030.
Increase the city’s solar capacity. The ambition of the city government is to increase London’s current solar capacity by 20 times, by having 1GW of solar installed in the capital by 2030 and 2GW by 2050 - providing more clean energy for Londoners. (London Energy and Greenhouse Gas Inventory.
Green infrastructure has been redefined to emphasise the importance of rivers and wetlands as components of the green infrastructure network, recognising their vital role in maintaining the integrity and functionality of the green infrastructure.
Strengths and weaknesses of the pledge activities by the city government.
London's Race to Zero initiative is a comprehensive and ambitious plan, however, is not without its hurdles. Some of these challenges are typical, such as securing funding, navigating regulatory landscapes and technology dependence. More complex obstacles involve political opposition, societal disputes and the challenge of mobilising public participation.
Strengths of London’s Climate Strategy
Comprehensive plan: London's strategy takes a holistic approach, ensuring that multiple sources of emissions are targeted across crucial sectors including transportation, energy efficiency, waste management, and building insulation. This broad focus not only helps reduce emissions but also significantly improves air quality.
Innovative Initiatives: The city has embraced several innovative programs, such as introducing zero-emission buses. The introduction of zero-emissions buses represents a significant step forward. These buses, powered by batteries that can be recharged using renewable energy or hydrogen fuel technology, are a clean alternative to traditional diesel buses and highlight London’s commitment to cutting-edge solutions.
Equitable climate actions: Sadiq Khan believes that fairness must be at the heart of the net zero pathway. The cost of no action will impact lower-income Londoners the most, with overheating, toxic air, and flooding all posing a risk. The city’s plans are designed to ensure, as much as possible, fair and equitable outcomes for all citizens. This includes the Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), which curtails heavily polluted vehicles within most of Greater London. Khan vowed to “go even further” with action on clean air, including a “100 per cent zero-emission bus fleet by 2030," although this will require substantial government investment.
Strong Partnerships: The city government is actively engaging various stakeholders, including businesses, communities, and international partners. This collaborative approach is vital for integrated climate action and helps leverage additional resources and expertise from outside the public sector.
Weaknesses of London’s Climate Strategy
Funding and Investment: Ensuring sustained investment and avoiding financial shortfalls is a major challenge for implementing London's ambitious plan.
Policy and Regulatory Challenges: A comprehensive climate action plan requires strong policy support and can encounter regulatory hurdles. Coordination between different levels of government and overcoming bureaucratic delays are significant challenges that could impede progress, especially in a polarised and antagonistic political environment.
Technological Dependence: Many of London’s strategies heavily rely on the development and adoption of new technologies, such as electric vehicles and renewable energy solutions. The pace of technological advancements and the cost of adopting these technologies can pose risks to the timely achievement of set targets.
Culture wars: Cultural disagreements can have a profound impact on climate policy. Diverse opinions on the urgency of climate change, the role of government in addressing environmental issues, and the economic trade-offs of implementing sustainable practices can polarise policy-making, influence legislation, and potentially reverse existing environmental protections. This highlights the importance of inclusivity and the incorporation of diverse viewpoints in the development and implementation of climate strategies in metropolitan cities, such as London.
Facilitating Transformative Change.
To facilitate transformative change in cities, we need to foster collaboration across organisations and sectors. This involves going beyond the borders of local municipalities and engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders. Continuous interaction with local communities and citizens is essential to ensure their needs and perspectives are taken into account. Additionally, organising activities and events that break away from the business-as-usual practices helps to innovate. We need to be prepared for a few uncomfortable discussions as well.
In a public address following his victory, London Mayor Sadiq Khan stated that London has become a global leader in climate action, openness, inclusion, and equality.
London's diverse population and strong sense of culture and global identity is one of its most valuable assets. This diversity has enriched the city's social fabric, creating a vibrant and multicultural environment. Individuals from various backgrounds have brought valuable skills, knowledge, and entrepreneurship, leading to innovation and economic growth in the city.
To address climate and environmental challenges, we need to see cities as experimentation and innovation hubs. However, innovation needs to go beyond technology. Meeting climate challenges requires exploring new ways of living and working at all levels of society. By embracing diversity, London can tap into a wider range of ideas and approaches to make the city more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Bibliography
Cities and Climate Change. (n.d.). Retrieved from UN Environmental Programme: https://www.unep.org/explore-topics/resource-efficiency/what-we-do/cities/cities-and-climate-change
Cities Race to Zero: How to unlock your decade of climate action. (2021, December). Retrieved from C40: https://www.c40knowledgehub.org/s/article/Cities-Race-to-Zero-How-to-unlock-your-decade-of-climate-action?language=en_US
London Energy and Greenhouse Gas Inventory (LEGGI). (n.d.). Retrieved from Mayor of London: https://data.london.gov.uk/dataset/leggi
Mayor sets out bold strategy to make London the greenest global city. (2018, May 11). Retrieved from Mayor of London: https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/london-environment-strategy-sets-out-vision