A zero carbon London

Anne-Marie Robinson

Principal Policy Officer

Zero Carbon Policy Team

London has an ambitious climate agenda1) Sadiq Khan elected in 2016 with a zero

carbon target by 2050

2) The London Environment Strategy is

London’s first integrated environment

strategy.

3) Ambitions include:

• Zero carbon city

• Zero waste city

• World Health Organisation PM2.5

targets for air quality

• Increase green cover to 50%

• Action plans for fuel poverty and

solar

• New funding to catalyse action

The challenge

1) London is a huge city, in area and

population.

2) Population is expected to grow to

over 11 million by 2050

3) 33 boroughs manage local services

including waste, roads and planning

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Area, km2

Where we are now

1) London’s total energy has reduced

by over 20 per cent since 2000

2) Emissions have decreased by 32

per cent since 1990

3) Carbon intensity of UK electricity

has reduced by over 60 per cent

since 1990

4) Heat (natural gas) and transport

(diesel/petrol) remain key

challenges

The Strategy, the 1.5C plan & the London Plan

Making the 1.5 Plan a Reality:

Implementation in London

1. Systemic actions

• Zero carbon buildings policy

• £750m to decarbonise public

transport

• Ultra Low Emission Zone

2. Leading by example

• Carbon budgets for functional bodies

• Responsible procurement

3. Direct delivery and interventions

• £34m Energy for Londoners

Programme

• Group solar buying scheme

• Cashback for clean boilers

4. Finance

• £500m energy efficiency

investment fund for public sector

and SMEs

• Catalyse investment in London’s

clean tech sector

5.Advocacy

• Calling for more action at a national

level

• Lobbying the government for more

power

Net zero carbon buildings

Current London Plan policy

• Net zero carbon homes policy introduced in 2016.

• On-site carbon savings maximised• Offsetting is allowed• Carbon offset price of £60/tonne• Heating hierarchy prioritises

district heat networks and CHP• Since Jan 2019 encouraging a roll

out of heat pumps in London by using more up to date carbon emission factors.

• Cooling hierarchy to manage heat risk

Net zero carbon buildings

New London Plan policy 2020

• Net zero carbon target extended to non-residential

• Introduces energy efficiency targets• Higher carbon offset price of

£95/tonne• Continues to prioritise connections to

district heat networks• Revised heating hierarchy places heat

pumps above gas-engine CHP, except where there are opportunities to facilitate district heating.

• New requirement for a whole life-cycle carbon assessment

• Introduces post-construction monitoring

• Cooling hierarchy to manage heat risk

Climate adaptation – it’s not just energy and carbon

Managing heat risk

• Reduce risk of overheating by following the Mayor ’s cooling

hierarchy

• Measures to consider include sensible glazing, external shading and

ensuring adequate ventilation

• Design for future weather projections

Green Infrastructure

• Urban Greening Factor (UGF)

• Quantify green infrastructure

• Green roofs