New Delhi – Mayor Sadiq Khan, aiming to make London net zero by 2030, urged global leaders to take inspiration from the city’s air quality improvements and expressed hope that its clean air efforts will spark bold action on global environmental issues.
Replying to a questionnaire sent by PTI, Khan emphasised the need for collective responsibility in tackling climate change. He highlighted that governments, businesses, and communities must work together to achieve climate goals.
London declared a climate emergency in 2018, following a motion passed by its assembly. He said the city has since taken several steps to combat the impacts of climate change. These include establishing a large clean air zone.
London’s Net Zero Drive Aims to Inspire Global Climate Action
“I am committed to making London net zero by 2030,” he said. “I have implemented an array of climate policies and initiatives to help get us there.” “However, reaching net zero needs to be a collective effort,” Khan told PTI. “That is why I am working closely with the government, along with local councils, businesses, and London’s communities.”
He said he hopes the results achieved in London will inspire leaders both in the UK and around the world. He urged them to be bold in addressing environmental challenges in their cities. He also called for strong action to improve air quality and protect both citizens and the environment.
While London aims to be net zero by 2030, the UK hopes to cut greenhouse emissions to zero by 2050.
According to the City Hall’s 2021 Energy Monitoring Report, referable developments in London achieved carbon reductions 46.2 per cent higher than those required by national legal standards for new buildings.
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London’s Green Transition: A Model for Global Cities
London has made significant progress under Mayor Sadiq Khan’s leadership in pushing toward its goal of net-zero emissions by 2030. Since the launch of the Mayor’s Energy Efficiency Fund in 2018, over £330 million has been mobilised. The funding supports projects such as retrofitting buildings and expanding electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure. It also includes developing local heat networks to reduce carbon emissions. A key milestone was the 2023 expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). It now covers all 32 London boroughs, benefiting nearly 9 million residents. The city currently boasts more than 22,700 public EV charging points. It also has a growing fleet of over 1,400 battery electric buses, along with 20 hydrogen fuel cell buses.
London’s climate policies and innovations have gained international recognition through platforms like the C40 Cities network, encouraging collaboration with other global cities. Indian cities, including Delhi—also a C40 member—have engaged in these forums to share and adopt strategies for combating air pollution. Inspired by London, cities in Maharashtra such as Pimpri Chinchwad and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar are planning to implement low emission zones. Delhi, facing severe pollution as noted in the 2024 World Air Quality Report, is expanding its electric bus fleet to reduce emissions.
The UK-India Free Trade Agreement has further opened avenues for collaboration, granting British clean energy firms access to India’s public procurement market. This move is expected to boost India’s clean energy transition across sectors like offshore wind, hydrogen, and smart grids, aiming for 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030. Meanwhile, London’s community-driven solar energy efforts have seen 194 projects supported since 2017, with ambitions to scale up to 1,000 projects by 2030, reflecting a grassroots commitment to the city’s net-zero roadmap.
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