Mayor of London outlines environmental strategy for the capital
Mon 24 November 2008
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Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, has outlined his vision for creating a 'green' economy in the capital. He plans to make London more energy efficient and help poorer households cut energy bills. In the Mayor’s first major speech on the environment since being elected, he set out how London can cut carbon emissions by 60 per cent by 2025 and make the city a 'greener', more pleasant place for its residents.
Geoffrey Lean, writing in the Independent newspaper comments that the Mayor's plans represent "one of the most remarkable political Damascene conversions in years, for Mr Johnson was one of the few prominent Britons to welcome George W Bush's determination to kill off international attempts to combat climate change".
Since coming to office, Mr Johnson has scrapped the previous Mayor's plans to charge high carbon vehicles more to enter central London, and also scrapped an order for 60 vehicles running on hydrogen – thought to be the world's biggest initiative of its kind. He has also recently announced that he will confirm his manifesto commitment to scrap the proposed western extension of the London Congestion Charge zone.
The Mayor was, however, elected on a firm commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 60 per cent by 2025 and to make London's environment cleaner and greener.
Addressing the Environment Agency’s annual conference, the Mayor stressed that London was ideally positioned to lead in turning today's environmental challenges into real economic opportunities. Johnson also committed to the provision of improved green spaces, pledging to spend up to £4million for park improvements and 10,000 new street trees the capital.
The Mayor's strategy also mentions plans to promote the uptake of electric vehicles through the London Electric Vehicle Partnership which was announced at the LowCVP conference in July this year. The strategy also includes plans to use the authority's procurement powers to boost demand for electric vehicles.
The Mayor addressed issues around transport earlier in the month, issuing a vision for the capital’s transport network calling for a “fair approach to all road users” while also promising “continued investment in policing, security, and CCTV to make the transport network safer”. In a paper entitled ‘Way to Go’ the Mayor reiterated plans for cycle hire scheme, cycle corridors and hybrid buses.
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