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London to Introduce Zero-Emission Zones in 2020

London to Introduce Zero-Emission Zones in 2020
London to Introduce Zero-Emission Zones in 2020

The mayor of London says he wants to bring forward the introduction of zero-emission zones in some parts of the capital from 2025 to 2020.

The new timeframe was revealed as Sadiq Khan presented his environment strategy to the London Assembly for consideration before final publication in the coming weeks, Fleet News reported.

He wants to make London a zero-carbon city by 2050, with energy efficient buildings, clean transport and energy, and increasing recycling.

His desire to introduce zero emission zones, which he claims are in response to the views of businesses, will accelerate the roll-out of electric vehicles.  

Khan said, "By continuing to invest in our environment and work with boroughs and communities, we can improve the health and wellbeing of everyone living in London."

  Wide-Ranging Measures

The final draft of the mayor's Environment Strategy includes air quality concentration maps and an ambition 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.

The strategy also includes a proposal on carbon budgets, aimed at reducing the amount of greenhouse gasses emitted in London for the next 15 years.

The first aims for a 40% reduction in CO2 emissions from 1990 levels in 2018-2022, which is a greater reduction than that set by government. This is compliant with the Paris climate agreement to limit global climate change to 1.5 degrees.

In addition, the mayor will fund thousands more trees and improvements to community green spaces, and help London's boroughs invest in parks.

Since the start of his mayoralty, he has directly funded the planting of over 70,000 trees, with City Hall partners planting an additional 40,000 in 2016/17 alone. A further £4 million has been committed to support more tree planting.

 

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